<p>I am in college and I have never been more lost in my life.
It seems that everybody else has clear, specific goals.
Me? I am doing everything. It feels like I want so much and, unless I focus on something specific, I will get neither of the things.</p>
<p>I am thinking about 3 careers: finance/consulting, journalism, and psychology. My majos are business and psychology. I cant take basic classes that fulfill core requirements because I did IB and got almost all of those credits. Soo I pretty much was told to pick my majors now, especially since I want to double major/study abroad/minor in something maybe/learn french. </p>
<p>It feels like I want to do so much but dont have enough time. </p>
<p>I am trying to work 12-16 hours a week, write for the campus newspaper, do research (in psychology), and I joined marathon team/hispanic people club/and investment club! Clearly... I dont know what I want.</p>
<p>Some of the stuff hasnt started but I know there is no wayy in hell am I going to be able to do everything well . I will have to drop stuff. The question is what? </p>
<p>I guess I just need some way to find my path or someboody to tell me that I have to at least drop one of my career goals, even if I have to toss a coin... </p>
<p>I was hoping that one of you parents or your kids went through this and could relate...</p>
<p>What year in college are you? It's easy as a college student to want to get everything all planned out, but unfortunately, life isn't that easy for most people. Or, you map everything out and things change. For the short term, You can try everything on your list, and if you're right (and you probably are) that you won't be able to do everything well, drop the stuff that interests you the least. And, even if you walk away from some of the clubs now doesn't mean you can't get back to them next semester, next year. In terms of career plans, you have your whole life ahead of you---don't bash yourself because you're still feeling out what you want to do. Even if it appears that everybody else has clear, specific goals, the vast majority of college students are in the same boat as you.</p>
<p>In terms of narrowing down a bit, you may want to look at opportunities, actually talk to people in some of the careers you are considering, etc. There are a lot of resources available online, as well as on campus that can help you figure out the questions you need to ask yourself (and others). Good luck!</p>
<p>No, everybody else does not have clear consistent goals; most are casting about for direction as you are. This is normal. Try to let your interests guide your path one day at a time and one class at a time.</p>
<p>In teachers college in the 1990's we were told, "When teaching students who'll
come of age in the next century, prepare them to expect not one but 2-3 sequential, completely different careers in the course of their long lifetimes.
The days of choosing one career and taking it to the finish line are over."</p>
<p>Maybe you can write about the psychology of finance and do all three at once! :)</p>
<p>As P3T stated, you don't have to do the same thing throughout your life. Chances are you won't. Try to decide what you want to do first! Once you start down that path in your career you'll probably find that it'll morph over time anyway. You also might discover that 5 or 10 years from now your interests will change again anyway and you may end up doing something you're not even considering now.</p>
<p>We always have told our "kids" to think about what they want to learn NEXT!
Also, with your interests, you'd enjoy reading "Freakonomics." Check it out for fun.</p>
<p>margsala - it might help you feel a bit more at ease to take a quick glance at in the "parents - what was your major" folder. I think of all the posts, there was only one who is still in the same business that they originally went to school for. You have to think of life as a journey, not a problem to solve; then you can trust your own instincts more.</p>
<p>By the way, I didn't declare a major until second semester sophomore year, and still had plenty of time to finish in four years.</p>
<p>Oh I feel for you. I'm in IB right now, and I'm starting to apply to colleges. My interests include Japanese, Russian, Journalism, psychology, swimming, art, music, computers...</p>
<p>Why not try everything first before you decide what to drop? If it comes to the point of making a list of "Good" and "Bad" about each activity, then try that.</p>
<p>But yeah, I guess trying everything at first is the best sugestion...
I just feel the need to do everything to keep my options open.
I am going to read the parent's majors thread to see if it makes me feel better :P</p>
<p>margsala, it's OK to feel lost your first semester. It's just fine to stay undecided. You may declare one or a couple of your majors, and you may decide to change them later, and that will also be perfectly OK. You have signed up for all those clubs and activities - and you are free to drop any of them at any time. You do not sign up for them because you owe it to somebody; you do it to discover yourself and to enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>I, too, think that the [thread=391368]"parents - what was your major"[/thread] thread is just the answer for you:
<p>Your IB credits are not your chains; they allow you more flexibility, not less. With almost all the requirements out of your way, you are free to explore and to take classes just for fun. And who knows what you will discover in those classes? Start with psychology and/or business, take classes, do research; and after a couple of semesters - who knows? Many students don't know what they want to do... and even those who think they know it -- might change their mind in a year or two. If you have to declare a major right now, it does not have to be THE major (your "final" one). Did you know that there are MORE people who change their major than those who don't?</p>
[quote]
...nearly two-thirds of undergraduate students in the United States change majors before graduating and might consider up to four or five majors before finally deciding on one...
<p>It sounds like you are a freshman with a great academic background. Since you have so many credits it sounds like you may have the luxury of trying out classes in the areas you mentioned. </p>
<p>I changed my major at the end of my sophomore year. I went from biology to education (basically). I ended up with a BS in Education but my major was speech language pathology. I graduated in 4 years and I did not have a single college credit when I started. I am very happy with my career and how its flexibility has enable me to live the life I wanted: family, career, helping others, learning continually.</p>
<p>You have time to discover what you want to study and what your focus will be. Marmat has given some great advice about classes and extra curriculars. </p>