I dont know what to do with my life!

[Grizzly700]

Hi guys,

I'm a junior in high school, and I don't have a clue what I want to be when I grow up. I'm getting stressed out because people are telling me that I have a few years decide, but I know it will all fly by. I make good grades and made a 30 on the ACT, so I'm not worried about getting into a decent school. I am really bad at math, so I'm worried about not beng able to have a very enjoyable, yet lucrative career. I was thinking about going into Psychology. Do you older/wiser people have any good advice for me?

Thanks!

[iamlowsound]

My advice, don't worry so much. All those people that have it "figured out already" will likely change their major once they get into university. Get good grades, get into a good school, take a bunch of general classes in your first two years, then declare a major. By that time you will have figured out what classes are interesting. then you can spend the last two years taking the stuff you are interested in, because you will have all the general classes out of the way.

lowsound

[Stigs]

Don't worry about what you're doing specifically right now, be more concerned about doing a good job.

Later on, you're more likely to get hired if you make A's in a field that doesn't apply to the job itself, because your employer will see that you're a hard worker and can easily be taught on-site.

Showing what you're capable of by working hard through school is much more important that whatever gets printed on your degree.

[UncleFluffy]

Do you know what you DON'T want to do?

That's often an easier question to answer, and once you've got that list in front of you it might be easier to figure out the that you direction you should be heading, even if you can't pick a definite destination.

[jp58]

Math isn't so bad when you get to college. I'm pretty bad at math and have an A or B in every math class I've had since I got into school. Almost every school will require a math class or 2, and most majors (especially psychology or the sciences) will need Stats/Calculus/Pre-cal.

I'd suggest taking an array of classes in different subjects your first semester or 2 and see if something hits you. I was pre-law the first 2 semesters I had in school, but found a passion for the sciences in intro level Chem/Biology and so now I'm getting ready to graduate with a degree in it.

[onosson]

I'm 38. I've been in music for 20 years. I just finished my M.A. in Linguistics. I've been married for 11 years and have two kids.

I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up!

[Stigs]

Originally Posted by jp58

Math isn't so bad when you get to college.

It might be just because its 12:30 and I'm getting tired, but when I first read this I thought it said "Meth isn't so bad when you get to college."

Now that would be some good life advice, right there

[MJ5150]

Desecrate a defenseless textbook?

-Mike

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Stigs

It might be just because its 12:30 and I'm getting tired, but when I first read this I thought it said "Meth isn't so bad when you get to college."

Now that would be some good life advice, right there

If you took the meth, you wouldn't be so tired at 12:30 am.

lowsound

[Simo98]

I'm 19, two years out of highschool, and I still don't know what I want to do.

I was talking about it the other day with my Dad, he is 42, and he still doesn't know what he wants to do. I don't think many people do.

Eventually i'll figure it out I think, until then, I'll just do what is put in front of me.

[Grizzly700]

I'm about 99% sure I'm not going to be doing anything in the engineering field. My favorite classes I have had so far have been chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and anything English related. I'm definitely interested in the medical field.

[Sonic_Death]

As someone who majored in Psychology in college, I think it's a great major and I am very glad that I went through with it. That being said, I am currently in law school and still have no clue what I want to do with my life.

You have a long ways to go my friend.. and even when you are making decisions throughout your life, you may not always be certain of them. I still am not sure if I should be in law school or not haha

On a more realistic note.. if you're going to major in psychology and want to pursue a career in a related field, you'll most likely need to go to graduate school for a masters in either social work or psychology or something like that. Psychology offers a lot of different fields depending what interests so there are a lot of different avenues.

At the point in life you're at, I say you should just try to sample everything and figure out what you're interested in. I went into college with interests in graphic design, music, psychology and law. I graduated college with a BS in Psychology, minor in Computer Art, and am now in law school. I am sure you'll find ways to accommodate your interests as well.

[bwv1013]

have fun being 16/17, you will never get those years back.

as for the future, focus on making good choices (be responsible, considerate, a good time). good decisions are contagious and will replicate down the road, regardless of where you turn any given moment. most importantly, play more bass.

[Vorago]

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

Do you know what you DON'T want to do?

That's often an easier question to answer, and once you've got that list in front of you it might be easier to figure out the that you direction you should be heading, even if you can't pick a definite destination.

+1

[guitar ed]

I should think that at age 16/17, you might be majoring in "the ladies," if you get my drift. This bring to mind that Ian Drury song, "Sex and Drugs and Rock & Roll."

You have 3 or 4 years before you have to declare a college major, so use that time wisely. Try a number of different things, even take a year out of college and work a crap job. Don't decide now.

I pity those people who, at your age, make these kinds of decisions, never look at their options on the way. I think that they get old & mean & unhappy over the years.

BTW: I have a degree in PoliSci, went into computers, and had a blast. I am nearing 50, my daughter is 9, and I still don't know what I am going to do when I grow up. Mainly because I have yet to fully grow up.

edg

[Balog]

1. Don't worry about the past, as it can't be changed. Don't stress about the future, it's unknowable and a figment of your imagination until it happens. Worry about the right now. Get good grades, but more than that actually learn things. I has a 4.0 throughout my school caraeer and got out of high school at 15. I then brain dumped all the stuff I didn't care about (maths mostly) and I've since deeply regretted it.

2. Do not, under any circumstances, get a big pile of school debt. Many people will tell you it's a good idea; it's not. Federally insured student loans are almost impossible to be rid of, outside paying them off. Even declaring bankruptcy can't clear them away. It is possible to work your way through school. Not easy, but possible.

3. Some degrees (generally degrees in the hard sciences like physics, chemistry, engineering) enable you to get a job in the field related to the degree. Some degrees (psychology being a prime example) are almost useless at the undergrad level, but prepare you to get a MA/Phd that can be lucrative. Some degrees require post-grad and still only prepare you for jobs that are difficult to acquire and/or low paying. A lot of the English Lit/History type degrees are like this. And some degrees are worthless except to check a box on an HR form saying "Applicant must have a four year degree to apply." I won't name any as people will get fussy, but let's just say a lot of the things ending in "studies" are like this.

4. You don't have to goto college right away. At 18 I know it seems like being a year or two behind your class is the end of the world. But taking some time to experience life as a working, independent adult is a very good thing. Too many people never grow up because they go from their parents taking care of them, to a college taking care of them.