You think that i would feel happy about college, and I am, but I feel this emtiness and lostness inside. This is a whole new chapter for me and I feel like I'm running into it blind. I mean, i've thought about this a while and i still need some help. Every one has these expectations of me and they expect me to be this really successful something, but, I sometimes question what their motives are. I'm expected to be this successful doctor from one person, a great lawyer from another, a terriffic leader in the nation... it's all too much! I have an idea of what i want to be but everytime I talk to a friend they ask all these questions that i just can't answer. My mind gets sooo clouded that i can't think straight.
Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
2006-08-02 12:56:15 · 5 answers · asked by medabrana06 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
I can't tell you how much I relate to what you're saying. I'm not 17 anymore (that was a while back for me!), but I remember feeling exactly the same way that you do when I was your age.
I graduated from high school when I was 16 and people had very high expectations of me. I had equally high expectations of myself, so it took me forever to finally decide upon a major in college because I was so afraid of making a mistake! Unfortunately, I let my fears take hold of me, and they crippled me to the point where I actually left college for many years. I just couldn't take the pressure of making a decision that I would have to live with for the rest of my life.
I simply didn't know how to handle my problems one day at a time. I had the tendency to over-analyze every situation and to obsess over every possible consequence of every action I took and how it would affect me many years down the line. I also didn't know how to trust my own instincts. All my life I'd wanted to write, but didn't think I had what it took to become a professional writer.
I finally decided (much too late, in my opinion!) that enough was enough--I couldn't let my fears control me any longer. I set my long term goals and concentrated only on the day-to-day tasks required to accomplish them. That's the key -- find out what makes you happy, create long term goals, then figure out your easier-to-manage, daily goals so that you are not so overwhelmed. If you need to, try to find someone older than you who you admire (maybe a teacher or counselor) and ask for their help. I eventually went back to college, got my B.A. in English, and now I'm making a very good living as a writer.
Only you know what will fill that void within you. You said you had an "idea" about what you wanted to be? Go with your gut instinct. All those people wouldn't believe in you if they didn't have a good reason to.
Best of luck!
2006-08-02 13:32:34 · answer #1 · answered by marina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations, you're completely normal. Most of us had those feelings when we were heading off to college. That's one of the resons to go to college, to try to figure out who you are and what you want out of life. Do your best to tune out everybody in terms of what you should do with your life. If you focus on the happiness of others, you'll be miserable. Maybe you will end up a doctor or lawyer, or maybe you'll be an art teacher or drummer. But you have to get there on your own. Take different classes in all sorts of subjects. You may find one you love which helps you decide where you want to go even though it's a path you'd never considered before. When friends ask you questions, tell them you can't answer. But maybe you think about them when you're alone and try to find your own way.
2006-08-02 20:04:55 · answer #2 · answered by Kanga_tush2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all, college is where you really decide what you want to do with your life. So when you get there, chose what YOU want to do, not what your parents want, or what your friends want..do what you really want to do. Dont feel afraid, college is a great place! I love it! You will gain so much independence, and learn so many new lessons about life..believe me...SO many lessons! However, you do need to study hard..but you also need to party hard! Just take it one day at a time...(and try not to shop too much!)
2006-08-02 20:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by Michelle H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I felt the same way and things worked out really well for me. Just take one day at a time and one thing at a time and you will end up finding what you really want.
2006-08-02 20:29:06 · answer #4 · answered by BUDMAN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chill out, im about to graduate and I feel the same way.
2006-08-02 20:00:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋