I came to college knowing I really didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I was technically undecided for the first year. However, I started in computer science for my first semester and then decided I really didn’t like it and was worried about not being able to take other things and explore, so I switched to psychology and english classes for my second semester (even though I still had yet to take my leftover gen eds). This semester was horrible because I hate all my classes and feel like I haven’t accomplished anything this year. I feel like a failure because it seems like everyone else has a clear goal and is taking challenging classes while I barely pay attention and don’t do anything because I have no motivation and no direction. I know I’m a smart person but I just don’t know where to apply myself. I got kind of depressed and started seeing a counselor but it hasn’t helped too much with my indecision.
My new plan is to go for accounting so I’m taking two classes over the summer to try and catch up and keep my language as a minor (I take Japanese) but I’m honestly still not sure about that and am afraid I’ll switch again. I want to get a job but at the same time I don’t want to just do something TO get a job. Part of me wants to take a gap year but I’m not really sure what I would do during that time or how it would help. I would need to cancel my housing deposit in like 3 days if I really wanted to take time off and I really don’t know what to do.
How do your parents fit in to this equation? Would they be supportive of your taking a gap year? If so, that sounds like a good plan since you are so uncertain about school right now. Your situation is not uncommon, and gap year can really help. Depending on your financial situation and parents’ attitude, you could get a job or volunteer position in your hometown, participate in a formal gap year program (traveling/volunteering), or strike out on an adventure.
You said you’re unsure how a gap year would help…mainly it would give you time to gain some perspective and help you learn what you are, and are not, interested in. It could also give you time to find a good counselor who could help you sort through all of this. There is no shame in taking a year off to sort things out, instead of wasting money on classes you are not happy with.
If you were my child I’d advise you to take a gap year. Get yourself a job. You will learn a lot there too and be able to marinate ideas about your future.
My parents aren’t completely against the idea of a gap year ( I think my dad mentioned it first a while back but not really seriously), but they worry then I will be working and not doing anything and end up actually wasting a year. But I will probably try to talk to them a lot more seriously about it since it seems like that’s a good and viable option…
First find out if you are aimless because you are depressed, or depressed because you are aimless. Talk to a psychiatrist.
If you want to take a gap year, then have a plan. Take a look at Americorps or something structured.
You won’t be wasting a year…you will hopefully be focusing.
My nephew started at college without a clear major. After a semester or a year he got a job as driver for a potato chip company and stocked vending machines. He realized this was going nowhere and he joined the Air Force for like 6 years or so. He is now out of the AF and going to school for accounting…I don’t know if he fell in love with accounting or if he realized it is a well paying job that is always needed (there are many accountants in the family).
So you may not fall in love with a major but you may find that working at Wendy’s isn’t what you want to do long term and will find a major that will lead you into a path you are interested in.
I majored in Engineering…did I love every class? No, but I knew I would like a job that requires technical skills and logical thinking.