How do you deal with life after you have realized you have taken the wrong path?

Question

I am in my senior year of college and I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. However I have recently re-discovered my passion for acting after taking an acting class. I excelled in it. Ever since I was a child people thought I would be a great actress but the dream seemed so far out of reach. Now I feel this emptiness and I feel so unmotivated to study anymore. I have come so far but I feel so misdirected in life.

Have you shared this feeling? How did you overcome it?

Please share your story.

Answer 1

Nothing in life will haunt you as much as the "What ifs" in your life. I'm not advocating throwing away everything your worked on to pursue a dream, but you are young and should open yourself up to exploring those "What ifs" now.

You never know what will happen in the future. Any opportunity to chase that dream now may not be present in the future.

I got a degree in Computer Programming, because it came easy to me. I started working as a Systems Analyst, because it was a career path. I am an amateur artist (drawing, sculpting, photography). My dream was always to travel the world, be inspired, and be an artist. Since there were many more starving artists in the world then IT geeks, I went with the practical path.

Now I am a father of 2 kids, and have a family that demands most of my time. Art is something that takes a backseat to everything else now in my life. I don't regret the blessing of my children, but I wish I could have taken the time to explore the not so practical path before being the responsible adult.

Chase your dream...the practical choice will always be there. The not so practical choices aren't guaranteed to be there.

Answer 2

I agree that you should finish up your degree and try to earn a living that way, at least at first. Don't shoot youself in the foot by all the sudden giving up on the opportunity to earn your degree. It is a lot easier to explore your passion, and find a calling in life, if you have money in your pocket. You shouldn't believe you are giving up on your dreams or feel your life has been wasted, when in fact it seems you have done very well for yourself, and you still have your whole life ahead of you.

You see, because chemistry isn't considered "glamorous" like, for example Basketball is, there are far fewer people trying to "make it" in that field. (Plus there is some seriously good money to be made there) Unless, you feel you are both prodigiously talented and very lucky, it may not be worth competing for a living, with everyone else who believes that acting is their "calling.", or is the only thing they could ever be good at.

Now, I'm not saying that you should give up on acting either. I think that if you love doing it, you should explore that as much as possible, just don't give up your day job. Besides, why has chemistry suddenly become so horrible? Whats the worst that could happen to you? You becoming an overpaid lab manager? You don't need to be totally dedicated and consumed with your "passion" to be happy. And I think people will like you and respect you whatever you choose to do with your life.

Answer 3

Definitely finish the degree, but take the passion for acting as a lesson that nothing is etched in stone. Too many people feel they have to be "locked in" to a career by age 21. Nothing could be further from the truth. I started out with a degree in Biology and 30 years later I was dealing cards at Harrah's. In between, I was a formulations tech for a drug company, a landscaper, a college English Instructor, a computer network administrator, and a plumbing associate for Lowe's.

Let your true interests rule and be aware of that inner voice that tells you it is time to move on. You may not make as much money, but you certainly will be a whole lot happier!

Answer 4

If you have the time, do both. Just put your degree first! If you can't handle both right now, finish your degree..THEN do acting. Your education is much more important. Even if you make it as a hot actress one day...hey great for you, but you'll be a smart actress! If you don't make it big acting, you'll be glad you got your degree!
Yes I have had this feeling, but I love who I am; who I'm with; and what I'm doing. Despite having taken a wrong turn (maybe two). I overcame it by realizing that's how life works! Sometimes the turns we take, even if they seem terrible wrong, are actually ones that we should have made. What we learn from them and how we find ways to get through and possible correct them, is what makes us human and creates who we are and become! For example...someone who has suffered through something bad and comes through (as we all have), learns from that and becomes stronger because of it. See what I'm getting at? So relax, get your degree, and see if your side passion as an actress finishes out who you are!
Good luck!

Answer 5

Ummm...you are a senior in college....You are making it seem like you are 50 years old and having a midlife crisis. A lot of good actors went to college majoring in something other than the arts. You can pursue both and that way you have your biochem degree along with experience in acting. Don't stop studying biochem tho because, I hate to break it to you, most people dont make it in acting. You need something to fall back on. Acting is almost like professional sports--you have to be the best of the best. Get your degree and then decide which you want to do.

Answer 6

Yes, I've been there!

My last year of college, I realized I hated what I was majoring in. It was too late to change it, I thought. So I went ahead and got my degree. But a few years later, I decided to go back to school and study what I really love, which is what I'm doing now. I will graduate in May, and I'm very happy I finally get to do what I love, and I'm excelling in my classes, because I love them so much.

It was very disappointing to me at first that I wasted time on a major I didn't like. But looking back, I realize that everything worked out best this way. It's not too late.

Good luck!

Answer 7

please, please finish up your degree. you have put in all this work so far so carry it through. you have lost your motivation to study and although it may affect your grades, that's not a huge problem. even if you don't graduate with honors, get that degree.

i am in my senior year as well and although i have been disenchanted many times i knew i could still get through it and take a totally different path once i was done because i am young and i have time.

whatever you do though, "rip the rearview mirror off" and do it with confidence.

Answer 8

I understand but other than teaching you probably will not make a living acting. Do it as a hobby and make a living in Biochemistry

Answer 9

pursue your study in Biochemistry until you get a degree, then try to find a way to fulfill your potential.

Answer 10

Get your degree first then follow your dream, if it doesn't work out then have a very nice fall back career