What am I going to do, Escapist?

[cruzermac619]

You see, the question has been eating at me every day for about a month now. I'm going to be a senior in high school this year, and I still have no clue what I want to do after I graduate. College is a possibility for me but I have absolutely no idea what I want to go to college for. It just sucks because I feel so pressured to figure out what I'm going to do. It seems like everyone else knows exactly what they're going to do.

A couple of days ago, I even met with a recruiter for the Marines because he called me in regards to my ASVAB(I got an 82) and ACT(I got a 25) scores. We talked for about an hour and a half, and that seemed to just stress me out even more. I'm not sure if joining the military is right for me or if I'm just considering it because I'm like other teenage guys who think it'd be bad ass to be a sniper or something..

I guess I was just hoping that maybe somebody on here could offer some advice or reassurance and thanks to anyone who read this.

 

[Kasten]

Simply, relax dude. Ask your teachers, see what people think your strong suits are. Maybe take a break after highschool for studying in the field you like most. Ask around, see what classes you're good at. Public support systems aren't completely defunct, and your friends might have ideas.

 

[Kasten]

Simply, relax dude. Ask your teachers, see what people think your strong suits are. Maybe take a break after highschool for studying in the field you like most. Ask around, see what classes you're good at. Public support systems aren't completely defunct, and your friends might have ideas.

 

[Hollock]

You don't have to worry. Most people don't really know what they're doing in college before they get there. It's not like you have to decided what you're going to do the rest of your life right NOW. And as far as joining the marines goes, don't do it because you think it's going to be cool, because it's not, it's a job, a really hard job.

 

[Rastien]

Plus you get shot at, screw any job which involves getting shot at.

But yeah honestly don't worry about it, just do someting that your good at and study it. The key to most jobs is having the bits of paper to say you can do X Y and Z even if it doesnt apply it shows your not a dunce.

 

[Scoffy89]

If you don't knoww what to do then try taking a year or two off and work or relax or something. Decide in that time what you think you would like to do with your life. I did it and it was good laying back for a while and having no pressure to study or anything and now I'm in College. It gave me time to decide what I wanted to do. If you meed time, take time.

Also don't blindly go to College or join the Marines for the sake of doing something. You may end up hating it and just wasting time and money. You could get lucky and end up doing something you adore but big risk.

 

[bobmus]

Here in the UK we have to decide what we want to do at college before we apply, so I faced a dilemma too. In the end I pretty much got decided for though - got rejected from all my medical schools and then got an offer for Pharmacology and Molecular Genetics. In my case this has worked out very well, as I'm not sure I'd enjoy the stress of a medical course at all.
I know this is not something that is likely to work for anyone else though, so I'd suggest a careers advisor - their job is to work out what you might enjoy doing!! (Does your school have one?)
Don't fret though, most of us are in the same boat!

 

[Chasing-The-Light]

I definitely say you should consider college, above all else. Go in as 'undeclared' and take a bunch of classes you think could be interesting. You might find something there that you /really/ enjoy doing! What it comes down to, for me, is 'what can I see myself doing?' Or what's something you really enjoy that you can't see yourself doing anything other than that. That might be a good starting point to get you in the right direction.

I agree with many of the above posts, though, about asking around about what kinds of things you're good at.

When in doubt, though, the military could be a good option, as well. It's something you can know you'll always have to provide financial support, and they'll pay for your college.

Good luck, dude =) I've been there before, and I know it definitely sucks.

 

[Mechanix]

It's completely normal not to know what you want to do at your stage in school. Look around on the internet for possible careers that sound fun and interesting. Maybe take some quizzes that take in your interests and skills and spit out possible careers.

My friend is going to Rutgers and is undecided on his major. Don't sweat, you'll figure it out, give it time.

 

[Erana]

Relax. High School is BS anyway and College is turning out more and more to be BS as well. Prepare yourself to live on your own if you want and
OP, I know people have mentioned this before, but Most no one knows what they're going to get their degree in when starting college. And then, in my personal experience, a third of the few who were dead-set on one major wound up somewhere else entirely.

More importantly, screw everyone else's big plans for the future. Half of 'em just spit out some spiel about that kind of thing just to make conversation, anyway. This is about You. What you want, and what you need for your future.

That being said, I put a great value on a good education, so I would encourage going for an education from a respectable school right out of highschool if you're a decent student and at all interested in getting a higher education.

For me, college was fantastic because I was finally in a place where I could be genuinely excited about learning the material I was learning. Wherever you go, socialization and friends will be found, so don't fret too much about school location and that sort of thing.
Another big thing about college is that If you really don't like a school, or it cannot give you what you need, you can always transfer. Or take another semester or year.

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Dont panic so much. Most people dont really know what they want to do until an average age of 17-20. Of course it helps if you know from a young age as it gives you that long time of motivation. I myself want to become a DJ but it's not going to happen for a long time, so instead im settling for a IT job while studying what technology I know can help me get into it.

 

[Loner Jo Jo]

Honestly, it's not a big deal. The vast majority of people I know changed the major they came into college with anyway. If you go to college, you'll find something, and even if it doesn't stick people change careers (not jobs, careers) all the time in the real world. No one really knows what they want to do so just roll with it.

 

[scar_47]

You have to figure out what you'll be happy doing it ain't easy but theres really nothing anyone can do to help decide what career you think you'd like to persue. As for the Marines don't join because you think it'll be bad ass thats a shitty reason to put your life on the line I know several people who joined different branches and most of them hated it but choose to join because they thought it would be cool. If your seriously considering joining heres a great site with accurate info you get a good picture of what life in the military is actually like http://usmilitary.about.com/.

 

[lettucethesallad]

Take a year off and work. Either you'll find something you like doing and feel like persuing a career in that field, or you'll be bored out of your mind and hopefully think of something you'd think was more fun. In the meantime it could be nice to not have to worry about grades and homework and essays and just doing something else. I wouldn't join the military unless I really wanted to.

Just take some time dude, both the military and college will still be around when you've had a thinker.