College is overwhelming. From the countless assignments, exams and papers to prepare for, it is easy to get lost in the mix of it all and remember why you are here. I am an undergraduate college student and I contemplate my future goals way too much. There are so many opportunities and experiences that you learn about each day making it hard for you to keep a clear path about what it is you truly want to do.
This week I struggled a lot with that. In one of my classes we were talking about career opportunities for our degree pathway and the endless options consumed me. I started second guessing my choices about the degree I was pursuing and why I wanted to pursue it. I lost sight of the goals I had set forth for myself when I was younger because the new information overwhelmed me. And I began to doubt my abilities as a student too. I did not think I had it in me to pursue a career in the medical field where I wanted. I have spent years trying to push it down because I did not think I was smart or capable enough, but after talking to my cousin, who is a wonderful doctor, I realized that I can. Talking to her was what I needed. I needed to hear that it was all going to be okay, that I am making the right decisions and I am capable of anything. While I don't have a long-term plan set in stone, I do think I have an idea, and that is good enough for me right now.
So if you are doubting yourself, your abilities, your dreams, don't. Because you are more than capable and I believe in you. Although cliche, you can do anything you set your mind to.
But if you are still unsure about what to do, aren't positive about your capabilities or just don't think you have it in you to follow your dreams, then you should really try these three things below and see if they help. I've done three of the four and I am already feeling better and have a better outlook on my future.
1. Talk to someone
Talking to someone who is in a similar field of expertise or maybe one of your professors, can help you to start making a well-informed decision about the future goals you do have and others that you want to fulfill. All hopefully helping you to find your long-term goal and dream outlook on life.
2. Shadowing
Now I know finding the time and a place to shadow in a profession you may want to be in one day will prove itself to be challenging, but you will never be unhappy with its results if you just give it a try. Shadowing will help you to learn if this is a field or occupation you do want to pursue or if it is not.
3. Graduate School Requirements
Though overwhelming, learning about graduate school requirements, whether you may want to pursue a Master's, Ph.D., MD, DO or anything other degree, knowing your options, prerequisites and expectations will help to set you up for success with whatever it is you do end up wanting to do after you get your Bachelor's degree!
4. Pray
God is in control. He has a plan. And while you may want to be in control, I know I want to be, He cannot always let that happen. There is a rhyme and a reason as to why he put you where you are today. You may not see it yet, I know I don't, but one day I will. And praying and asking him to help guide you down the right path to find that long-term goal you have been searching for will certainly pay off because He loved you first and He will always provide for you.
"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
