Officially Hit Rock Bottom

Colleges & Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am looking for advice and guidance on how I should spend my summers. I switched career goals, from Biology/pre-med to _______ <- not sure what this is. I never really wanted to be a doctor. I was partially pressured into pursuing medicine and part of it was my own doing. I am good at Biology, but that isn't a sole indicator of how well I'd do in the medical profession. The more I explored the profession, the more I realized I didn't enjoy any of it. I respect people who pursue medicine, but it definitely is not the career path for me.</p>

<p>The problem is that I don't know what to do. I am utterly lost. My grades have gone down the drain. My relationship with my parents has gone awry. I am always in trouble for not doing things on time. I don't sleep. I no longer attend class regularly. Things are going downward in a spiral fast.</p>

<p>I feel like I should pick a career just so I can stay afloat but I am afraid that I'll end up changing my mind again and be reprimanded for it. I've been labelled, "the girl who has no career goals" by pretty much everyone. I'm just really confused. I don't know what I want, and here at UT there are just too many options. I've hopped from dentistry, optometry, doctor, and now I'm thinking about the possibility of being a lawyer.</p>

<p>I think my problem is that I want things to be perfect and when they don't turn out that way, everything just dissolves. I don't know what to do. I think its too late to apply for internships, my grades are going to be crap this semester, I'm getting physically sick.</p>

<p>I'm just tired of it all. I came to college in search of something, but I don't think I've found it. If anyone has been in this position, please give me some advice. I need it.</p>

<p>*edit: im a sophomore at about 67 hours</p>

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<p>How is your college financed? Any big loans? Renewable scholarships?
What will happen financially if you take a gap year?</p>

3

<p>It is not uncommon for a 19-20 years old not knowing his/her career goals. In my own experience, what I studied in graduate school was completely different from undergrad. I have seen kids not knowing what they want to do between sophomore and junior years and taking a gap year. Do not be concerned about other people’s ‘labeling’. You know yourself best. Finals are approaching. You are stressed out and confused at present time. That’s true there are many options at UT and there are also many resources/counseling services that are available to you. Staff at counseling center can guide you and that is why they are there. You may also find advice at the Sanger Learning and Career Center or career assistance center within your college. </p>

<p>I see you are an international student. Don’t you want to go home for the summer? If not, how about taking summer school classes and/or volunteering?</p>

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<p>I was in the same boat as you last semester. I felt I was destined to become a doctor my whole time in high school because of the prestige it holds. I worked in hospitals for a class, took a bunch of science courses, etc. Then I realized, this crap blows. What are you interested in? What do you like to do? There are a bunch of majors to choose from. I agree with sunnydayfun about the Career Assistance Center. You gotta figure out what you’re going to do before you end up in some career that you don’t even like.</p>

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<p>Well, I wish I could switch places from you!
For my own situation, this is what I called the “mid-college career crisis”
Everybody figures out what they want to do, even if it’s not right away.</p>

<p>So you’ve been studying this natural science and you’ve got 67 hours.
What I would do, well this is what I’m doing, is finishing up that degree since I’m almost done.</p>

<p>I’m an English major and I’m nearly done with it, but I just added a biology as a dual-degree thing.
Does this set me back? Yes.
Will I leave here feeling like I fulfilled my potential? Yes.
So that’s what matters.</p>

<p>Take it one semester at time.
And don’t worry, my GPA is shot too.
Lesson #1 from freshman year, do not slack.
It screwed me over - the transition from high school to college.</p>

<p>Just think about what you might want to do? Your interests, etc.?
It’s like Freaky Friday and our paths are reversed.
Have you ever considered Liberal Arts?
It doesn’t matter what you major in if you want to do law.
You would think philosophy, government, English, business, and psychology would help for that, right? </p>

<p>Dude, but my heart goes out to you! I’m not far off from your position. My relationship with my parents is tensioned too, especially 'cause I’m stressing them out since I decided to go on a study abroad this summer. </p>

<p>Look for some GPA boosters. Maybe take an elective pass/fail or something.
I know the classes I’m taking in the summer will likely be A’s so that’ll help my GPA.
That’s gonna be my big feat until I apply to pharmacy school.
But I will also have a degree in English, apart from Bio - so that gives me a broad range of options. Maybe look for a second degree that will do the same for you? I love English, and it’s like definitely my cup of tea, but it’s more of a practice for me and Biology is fascinating to me because it’s a struggle and learning process. What’s your cup of tea?! :o I’m good at English, but I don’t want to do that alone. You’re good at a Bio, but you don’t want to do that? :o </p>

<p>And don’t worry. Sometimes I feel like calling it quits and just becoming a hairstylist or something. But lo’ we cannot. If you’re like me, unless your parents are paying everything, which for me they’re not - the moment I would drop out, all my debt would become active from loans. We’re enlisted soldiers basically; indentured servants to society until we’re debt free. It’s not an option for me. :(</p>

<p>Advisors help only so much, I think. Just try to find other students around campus.
For me, I need to talk to somebody who’s gotten pretty far in a natural science degree because I’m starting from scratch. I have to make it past those weed-out classes, but at least I’m an upperclassmen now. But really, shoot, I have to start with pre-cal. I won’t be able to take the first bio until next spring! </p>

<p>Who cares though. No rush. College for lifeeeee. <em>sarcasm</em>
If you make a decision to do something like me, look into summer school to try to catch up in whatever you really want to pursue. </p>

<p>It feels good to know I’m not alone at least!
The goal is to figure it out before we do graduate!
And if we graduate…whenever that will be. hah</p>

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<p>Sasha thanks for your story. I’ve decided to change my degree plan as well and your comments have really made me feel better about my decision. I’m basically starting over and I’m gonna begin with precal this summer as well. Good luck!</p>

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<p>@bumble: talk to someone in person … anyone. I think what you are experiencing is more common than you think. BTW, I think I’ve met some doctors who didn’t want to be doctors … it showed. Do what you love!!!</p>

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<p>Bumble- please see a counselor. What you are experiencing is not unusual at all. </p>

<p>Many sophomores don’t have the slightest idea what career they want. And many (most?) who think they do, change their mind either at or after college.</p>

<p>The problem is not what to do with the rest of your life, but how to deal with your depression, right now. Once you do that, the path to a major/career will be a lot clearer!</p>

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<p>@BLK616 - Hey, you don’t call someone depressed just like that. This isn’t WebMD. Advising them to go see a counselor is good advice though. </p>

<p>They didn’t say it though, so you don’t just tell them they have it over an online message board. PM them if you’re concerned. Really, who knows, they may not have it. Life has it’s natural twists and turns and being in a rut doesn’t always justify “depression.” Coming from experience. It’s up to a professional decide like you did mention. We’re all generally young though, and we can bounce back easily sometimes. </p>

<p>Better be safe than sorry though and for them to follow that. But still, that irked me. I know you have good intentions. Sorry if sound like my panties are in a twist over this! haha</p>

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<p>Completely agree with Sasha, depression is a serious condition with many implication and should not be tossed around so lightly. </p>

<p>Bumble, you may find this [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.salon.com/2012/05/02/im_not_ready_to_be_19/]advice[/url”&gt;www.salon.com/2012/05/02/im_not_ready_to_be_19/]advice[/url</a>] to be useful. The degree of similarity between your stories goes to show how common your experience is. Choosing a career is no easy task. I’d recommend reminding yourself that many- heck, thousands- have been in your position and made it through to later become highly successful and, most importantly, happy with life. As bad as it may seem right now, I promise you there’s a way up and out. From reading your post, it’s obvious that you’re an intelligent individual. Though you may find yourself falling behind on your educational track, down the road this will prove to be negligible. On the other hand, intelligence will stay by your side and buttress you for the rest of your life. In that way, you’re already so much more likely to succeed than many others. </p>

<p>One more thing. This reminder might be cliche, but it is repeated so often only because it is so important. Don’t turn to alcohol or any other drugs. They won’t solve anything, unless your problem is that you really want to know what rock bottom feels like.</p>

<p>You’re not alone, friend.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for all of your thoughtful responses! It means so much to me. For now, I’m trying to push everything aside and just focus on doing the best that I can on finals.</p>

<p>I feel like I’m supposed to do something. I want to be somebody and do something good, but I just don’t know what it is. I’m afraid that I am going to pick a career and when I’m old I am going to look back on my life and find myself unhappy and that I didn’t accomplish anything meaningful.</p>

<p>Ya Ya: I am fortunate to not have to worry about finances. My parents are paying for my tuition. I want to pay them back when I (hopefully) get a job because they have done so much for me. I don’t want to squander their hard-earned money. </p>

<p>Sunnydayfun: Thanks. I talked to my parents, and they think it would be good for me to come home as well. I am going to be volunteering, working, and doing research during part of the summer, and then hopefully go home. I’m considering taking time off and just exploring different professions during a gap year, but its still under discussion.</p>

<p>pjLloyd100: I like to write, and I love to read. But I don’t know if a hobby can convert into a career. I visited the career center last year, but the lady I met wasn’t very helpful. I think I will give it another try though. </p>

<p>Sasha2014: I am loving my English classes this semester. That is so funny, I guess our situation really is like Freaky Friday! Because I’ve taken a broad range of classes and racked up quite a few credits from AP Classes, I will have completed a minor in Biology if I change my major to English. The problem isn’t so much the major, but finding a career path. I feel really lost without having a goal or a set path in mind. </p>

<p>Every time an aunty or an uncle asks me what my goals are, I literally cringe on the inside because I do not know what to tell them. I feel bad because my parents get asked the same thing. They just want what’s best for me, and they have told me I can pursue anything as long as I do my best. I feel really fortunate to have the opportunity to go to college- but instead of thriving, I am the dreamy, unfocused kid who is wasting it away. I need some kind of purpose.</p>

<p>Haha, we are going to graduate! Best of luck pursuing pharmacy :slight_smile: I think having two majors is an advantage. It makes you a well-rounded (and well-spoken) candidate for pharmacy school! I’m thinking about attending commencement this year as a source of inspiration.</p>

<p>eaglemom: I was lucky to have a professor reach out to me, when he realized that I wasn’t doing well in his class, and it really helped. I’m not the type of person who likes to talk, especially about personal issues, but it really helped. Thanks for the advice!</p>

<p>BLK616: I think I might see a counselor, once I have time after finals.</p>

<p>frever: Thank you very much for the link! It was really insightful. And thank you for the reminder. I have a strict policy with myself about not consuming alcohol or drugs. I deal with stress in a slightly less detrimental way- overeating and not sleeping for long periods of time. I know its not healthy, but I can’t help it. I just want things to get better.</p>