“Who are you? What do you want to do want to do in college? Who do you want to be in the future?” We’ve all heard these questions at least once or twice at a family reunion or in a guidance counselor’s office. Many of us still have no proper answer to these tedious questions asked over and over again. When it comes to figuring out what we want to do with the rest of our lives, a lot of us draw a blank; students struggle between choosing what makes them happy and what will make them successful. As students we have a choice, choose a major based off annual income or based off how much we enjoy it. The road to self discovery should be the road every student should choose; whether you enjoy writing, art, or science, it should be your choice no one else’s.
Don’t let anyone tell you who you can and can’t be, you are your own person and should make your own choices. College is supposed to be the place where we are free to choose and be who we want to be, so when others (friends, family, teachers etc.) say you could be a doctor in the near future, but in your heart, being a history teacher is what you truly want to be, then be the teacher. Letting others manage your future will cause an unhappy life, full of regrets and self hatred. Letting money manage your future will also cause an unhappy life. Materialistic luxury is not a promise for a happy life, in fact, those who have the most luxury are the most depressed.
If you are unsure what to do with your life, college is the place to find out. The road to self discovery is a tricky and confusing road, full of stops and turns; the only way to find the exit is by trying everything. With all the classes and clubs offered on a campus you can see what you enjoy the most. For some, regular classes aren’t their forte, and would rather go to a trade school. If that makes you happy as a student, then try it out.
Being a writer was always my dream career. However, people never failed to shoot down my dreams and hopes by claiming that being a writer in today’s world was an impossible task. “You should be a lawyer, you could find a job after college faster,” some would say, “why not do writing as a hobby instead,” others would mention; but I never listened. My mind was set on writing, yes it is a difficult career choice, but so is everything else today. The only time I felt free at school was when I was writing; when my words were spilling on a paper, I felt invincible, as should you when choosing the right major.
Going to college also means that you have to fight for your education. Fighting as in trying your hardest to be the best in the career or life choice you do choose. I promised my parents I would be something in life, I would make them the proudest parents and the happiest (through my own happiness of course). And while I still have some time to get to the top, every day I am fighting to get up higher, as is everyone else around me. We all have different perceptions of what the top is, for some it could mean luxury and money, for others it could mean family and stability; as long it makes you happy, go for it.
Self discovery is the best way to see the next step in life and decide what to do after school. Apply yourself in college and use trial and error to find your main fascinations. Self discovery should be the main reason to go to college because it helps create a future based off of what you enjoy.
