5 Stages Of A College Mid-Life Crisis | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

5 Stages Of A College Mid-Life Crisis

When things aren't going right, sometimes you have to start over.

Adela Wawrzyniak
Aug 09, 2017
Mississippi State University
164
5 Stages Of A College Mid-Life Crisis
Unsplash

For the first two years of my college career I was a pre-veterinary student. I have spent hours shadowing veterinarians and planning for vet school, but after I got a few classes under my belt I realized I wasn't happy with my studies. So I switched to something completely different, Computer Science, and although my classes are still challenging, I am so much happier. Hitting a new low in my life forced me to make the changes I needed to find success.

1. Panic

Frazzled from sleepless nights and hours of studying, you have a moment of panic. "What am I doing with my life? Do I really want to do calculus for the rest of my life?" Suddenly that summer job that didn't require a degree doesn't look so bad. Can I be a professional lifeguard?

2. Research

After months of agony and stress you realize that these classes, this career path, just aren't for you. "What do I do now?" Going back to square one requires extensive self-analysis to find something that you can love every step of the way. Maybe you need to change your major, maybe you need to alter some aspect of your lifestyle, or maybe you even need to transfer schools.

3. Changes

Okay, so you found something new that you think you'll love and now you feel like a freshman all over again. You're stuck in some intro classes with a group of students whose faces you don't recognize. "Did I make the right decision? Why did I ever change my mind?!?!?"

4. Challenges

Now you have to learn the best way to study and organize for this major. It can feel like learning how to think all over again, and now you don't have your old study group to help you out. You really thought you finally got your major right, but now it seems as if the world is against you. Hang in there!

5. Elation!

Suddenly your tests scores are going up, your peers smile at you and ask to study together, and best of all you are happy in your classes. After all the turmoil, you realized the change was right. It may have taken longer than you thought to figure yourself out and choose a career path that is perfect for you. But now: SUCCESS!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

732987
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
1056978
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
972536
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
969056
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
1387737
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments