Hello so here is my situation…
I did really well throughout hs, went straight to a cal state out of hs as an undecided major and lived on campus my first year. I was extremely clueless on what I wanted to study and I felt like I was wasting so much money (my first year cost 25k) just to not know what to do in the future. Because of this only went to this cal state for 1 year because I took the next year off.
FAST FOWARD 2 YEARS LATER. I am now 20 and will not be going back to that cal state. I finally know my major and what I want to do. The cal state I attended actually did NOT offer this major or field. I am currently enrolled at a community college (and just started) in hopes of transferring to a different cal state or UC with the major I want and getting my aa along the way. This was an extremely hard choice for me and definitely made me feel bad about myself. I felt like I was taking a huge step backwards and I feel like I’d be too old by the time I leave cc and even get my bachelors. I guess I just want reassurance and would like some similar stories? Thank you to anyone who responds…
You are ONLY 20 and have your whole life in front of you. If you had to take a “step back” to figure out the best path to take for the rest of your life, it seems like a smart move. Feel proud of yourself for making a thoughtful choice. You will be fine.
Very common! HS seniors are lead to believe by adults who should know better that they are to know what to do for the rest of their lives based on their 17 years on the planet under the constant care (hopefully) of adults. Of course most 17 year-olds believe they have a complete set of life experience to build on. The shock is we have adults expecting them to know.
For most students: guiding parents, guidance counselors (with time?) need to spend more time considering areas of study rather than very specific majors. There is a Briggs Myers-Briggs personality test that was helpful me many years ago. I believe it is still around. When I took it it was shocking to learn that physicists and economist have very similar personalities and that their perspective differs a good deal from that of lawyers!
- Write down your favorite subject then eliminate it and write down a second favorite subject, etc;
- Do the same exercise with imagined careers;
- Mix and match the generated listings;
- Talk to people working in your best match ups;
- Ask teachers in related subject areas for their opinions;
- Ask schools before you apply what the options are if you decide you don't like the major after one or two years;
- Add your own ideas, BUT DO IT!
Like most things in life it is an assisted, but individual discovery experience.
In some, rare cases we have had students design their own custom majors from day one and actually go on to do great things in their field. By way of example, a civil engineering major who modified studies to maximize his preparation for the design of golf courses. He made a good living out of it! By way of example, a student who had an idea he wanted to develop, developed it than left school and went on to develop 400 plus patents.
ALL of us can work at discovering ourselves! Others cannot hand you the answer to this question. Own it!
If your successful, you will graduate prepared to go off and do something you never thought of before!
Signed,
An irresponsible parent
Are you in-state for CA? You could try to to a TAG program!
You are looking at life from the point of a 20 year old. You are as old as you have ever been. You are also comparing yourself to peers. I am a parent of a college student and look at you and say “you are so young! I am glad you have figured out what you want! Nobody knows or cares how old you are once you start working. Also now you have the maturity to focus on what you want and do it! When you look back yourself, you will be happy you gave your self a “re-boot” and started working on what you really want to do.”
@leeanabananna Not everyone knows at 17, 20 or even older what exactly they want to do. Some of the most successful folks I know CEO’s included took wandering paths as young adults. Good for you to recognize and take action. I am a huge fan of community college both for cost and as a way to explore various choices and figure things out. Like @happy1 says, you should be super proud of yourself for thinking through and approaching this in such a mature way.
Here is an example as you asked.
Our D2 didn’t have any idea what she wanted out of HS and went straight to the CC path. By the way, she also didn’t have the grades at the time or the focus to be successful or get in to a “good college” In CC she tried out many things and was academically successful. She completed her BS at a 4 year state school, but was older than the normal graduates (from the wandering a little). Even once she transferred she took longer than the remaining normal 2 years. Post graduation she landed her first job and did very well. No one noticed or cared that she was a few years older. She even moved her focus around a little there. Fast forward 6 years. She is working for another high profile late stage startup (It’s a thing in Silicon Valley where we live). She is in a position to lead her department as it builds. She loves what she does and as a result she is highly successful and she earns a good living for her age.
You should not feel bad about yourself. It appears that you have made good solid choices at every point along your path.
As an aside, what have you decided to pursue?