There is an immense pressure weighing on the shoulders of every college student. The instant we stepped onto campus, we were expected to have an idea of our future and a plan of how to get there.
Yet, how are 18-year olds supposed to have a definitive anything? How can we be held responsible for the future our 40-year old selves will live every day based on a decision we make today?
The answer to these questions lies somewhere within yourself; however, if you were among the many who seemingly jumped onto a path just to have somewhere to go, you’ll never figure it out. But how do you know you’re on the wrong path?:
1. Your major doesn’t excite you, at all.
Your parents have a business so it seemed natural you’d major in it- right? You sit through Accounting with your eyes half-hooded, you stare at the excel sheets for CGS with no semblance of what you’re even looking at, and you basically cringe at the word “Financial.”
You’re dedicating the next four years of your life to boredom and guaranteeing yourself a future of misery. If you’re not fascinated by your classes or motivated by the possibilities your education can provide you, you’re doing it wrong.
2. Your vision of the future resembles a black hole.
While your friends describe to you the layout of their house, car-make, and meal-plan they’re going to have at age thirty, you can’t even imagine what you’ll do with yourself next week.
It’s vital to have short-term and long-term goals; this is what should move you and empower you. Being ambitious is motivating! If you have no goals to achieve, you’ll remain stagnant and never grow as an individual.
3. You’re content settling with the bare minimum.
“C’s get degrees” is your motto, and you live by it. This toxic habit is only making you lazy, and it’s preventing you from being the best version of yourself you can be. If you’re comfortable with settling now, you’re guaranteed to settle later in life too. Yet, you won’t be settling for a C in English that one semester- you’ll be settling for a boring job and unfulfilled life.
You can’t keep waiting for something amazing to happen- you have to go out and make that change happen yourself. That is a major key to success.
Recognizing that you’re on the wrong path is the first step to finding the right one. It’s important to pay attention to your passions, and to always exceed your own expectations. Challenging yourself is supposed to be difficult, but it’s exciting.
So, if you remember anything from this article, remember this: “If you’re too comfortable with where you’re at right now, you’re not growing.”
Be uncomfortable. Challenge yourself. Make hard decisions, and find your path. It’ll guarantee you a future as bright as you deserve.
