Okay but honestly, I’m not really uninvolved. Or uninterested. My problem is that I love everything that I do. I love color guard and US history and biology and hiking and volunteering. And maybe then it should come down to what I’m best at but I wouldn’t really say I’m great at anything. And I certainly wouldn’t say I really suck at anything. So I guess my problem is… I’m really well-rounded. I’m afraid of being stuck with a major I will eventually hate and time is running out.
What are the downsides to going in undecided? I plan to attend UT Austin and hopefully I’ll get into their Plan II program, which is very interdisciplinary so that would help, but is there some sort of career where it’s an advantage to be well-rounded? I’m so lost and everyone just says go with your gut and that’s not helping at all.
I was in your place a few weeks ago. I loved everything I did in my senior year. I loved writing, volunteering, and really loved Science classes (I took AP Physics & Honors Forensics). I talked to my admissions counselor at Del State, who worked with undecided majors, and he suggested I talk to the Dean of Education/Public Policy. I did, and she (the dean) said I was perfect for their Middle-Level Education program to become a Middle School teacher, provide I chose 2 concentrations (I picked the 2 subjects I love: Math & Science). I heard the rumors about the bad children, but I can get children to be quiet, like soldiers coming to attention in front of their commander :-).
What I’m saying is talk to some academic advisors at your college, and they will help you find out where YOU can be with your profile. Hope this was helpful!
I’m in a rather similar situation, in that I’ll be a senior in HS in the fall and still don’t have a totally clear picture of what I want to do with my life. I want to be EVERYTHING, know what I mean? However, something that’s helped me recently is to categorize the hobbies/passions in order of importance and longevity.
Try asking yourself these questions and make a list of the answers:
- What are the things that make me feel fulfilled and happy RIGHT NOW?
- What are the things that I can do for years on end and STILL be happy?
- Will I still be dedicated to this thing in situations where the major is unfruitful, money is tight, etc.?
Then cross reference the list and eliminate some things. (And when I say eliminate, I mean don’t focus too hard on it for a major; keep it in your life if it makes you feel good! 
It just isn’t as important as some other things.)
I hope that helps!
I remember struggling with this when I was younger. I was afraid to pick one area to focus on, because I thought it would then not allow me to do the other things I wanted to do. A very wise perosn told me that if you pick one field as your career it doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to pursue other passions. This particular person was a psychologist who was very involved in local political campaigns, was involved in the Rotary club in his town and was involved in community theater as an actor. There are always ways to pursue what you love even if it’s not your main career. Finally, despite what you might read here, it’s very normal for an 18yo to not know what they want to do yet. Unless you want to be an engineer for example, go to college and take a bunch of different classes. Go to college websites and see what kind of work alumni are doing. Sometimes you’ll read about a cool job and have an “aha moment”.
“is there some sort of career where it’s an advantage to be well-rounded?”
It’s worked for me! Currently, I teach English as a Second Language to students who are getting ready to go to college. I’ve also taught ESL in a lot of other settings. It really helps that I have a broad knowledge base, because I don’t know what my next students will be interested in for their careers.
Being a well-rounded person is an asset in most careers. I can’t think of a single career that only engages one very narrow set of skills, even highly technical scientific and technological career. (I actually work in a fairly technical scientific career that uses a range of skills and interests).
Number one, it’s pretty normal not to know what you want. Number two, it’s unlikely you’ll only work one career in your life anyway. Lots of people do something for several years and then reinvent themselves later when they want to make a switch. I did! Picking something now doesn’t mean you’re sealing your fate for the rest of your life.
Thank you everyone for your responses. Your encouragement and extremely helpful advice has made my life so much less stressful for the time being.