I am in my final semester at a community college. To be completely honest, I didn’t even want to go to college right away out of high school, but I went anyway. I haven’t really enjoyed it so far. I originally picked a nursing major because it seemed like a fast track out of there and I convinced myself that I was “called to be a nurse”. I changed my mind in the middle of last semester. Then my bio and chem professors started pressuring me to major in Biology and do research. They say I have some special talent or something. But I don’t want to do that either. Frankly, I don’t know what I want. I’m supposed to transfer to a university this fall and I have no idea where I’m going or what I’m doing, and everyone—EVERYONE—is asking me. I kind of just want to finish my AS and call it quits for a little while, maybe do AmeriCorps or something. I am completely burnt out! I took a chemistry class last semester that was a real slap in the face. I was constantly studying, doing homework, retaking tests, writing labs, and doing any extra credit I could. I got really depressed because I had no down time at all between work, homework, and school. I couldn’t even go out with my family sometimes. I commend the students that love chemistry and can do that with no problem, but I am not going to pretend to be one of them. My point is, I spent nearly my entire winter break anxious about returning to school. I’m taking a lighter course load this semester but I can’t seem to motivate myself to study or even pay attention in class anymore, and it’s only the first week. This is so weird for me because I have always been a top student. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I just know I don’t want to go back to the state of mind I was in last semester because I was miserable. I know college is about hard work, but I want to enjoy it. Now I find myself 2 years in with no direction. I can’t seem to get excited about anything! I kind of want to take a year off, but who knows if that will do any good? I hated high school…I don’t want to say the same about college. I don’t want to be in a rush to get out. Does anyone have any advice that might motivate me to get back in the game?
Take a semester or two off. Stop listening to what others are making you do because only you know what is good enough for you. I hated chemistry class last semester too (and honestly i passed with a borderline grade 
) Then again it was just a required class for me. Most people don’t really know what they want until they are like thirty (everyone else just pretends to know until then). I say get a bunch of hobbies during your time off of school and whenever you are not working (like a bunch), do things you might have always wanted to do (from as small as learning to draw or code or how to give first aid). If you can, move, even! If you are happy when you are doing something, you will find what is best for you. And FYI people don’t need to go to college to find something that makes them happy and keeps them on their feet, but if later you feel better and wish to go back, then you will be more mentally prepared to do so. Good luck! 