Is it ok not to know what you want to do for college at 17?

Question

Im 17 and during this school year everyone keeps asking me what i want to do for college and i always say idk. My mother is getting angry at me because she says im running out of time. I am in my junior year of high school. Am i really running out of time?

Answer 1

Being 17 and a junior in high school, you should start considering what colleges you will apply to, take your ACT and/or SAT exams and maybe do some college campus visits. However, you will not need to apply to colleges until your senior year and even when you do apply you can declare undecided on your major and you have about a year and half to make that decision while you are in college. You will just have to take general education courses and take an introductory or exploratory course in a major or field that sounds interesting to you. By your second semester of sophomore year in college, you should see an academic/career advisor and a pick a major at that time.

Answer 2

no your not really running out of time. It depends, if your not sure what you want to do or where (if anywhere) you want to go then maybe you are better starting your first year at a state school or community college. Chances are you will go to college now for something then 10 years down the line you will end up doing something completly different from what you got your degree in. I'm not saying college is bad, I went, it's cool you learn stuff, make new friends, go to great parties etc but you really can't predict if what you want to do now is what you will want to do at 27. However, some form of higher education is always a good thing. At least give it a try as an undelcared major.

Answer 3

When I was a High School Counselor, I actually told several students who were undecided to take a year of College without claiming a major.

What you do is take all the silly core classes like English, and Math and blah blah blah and just get used to college life. At the same time, you get to know each department and can therefore find your 'niche' where you feel you can learn and grow and also where you can find a career.

Claiming a major is not important until about the end of the first year, however many departments have a set curriculum for their majors which include classes to take in all 4 years, so choosing one before you go is actually more helpful in these areas.

I also recommend you visit the campus of the colleges. Visit to see what it's all about. Also do your research into what each college does best. What is it that 'turns your crank'? What is it that you can see yourself doing - and enjoying - 20- years from now? THAT's what will direct you to y our career.

Answer 4

Your only running out of time on whether to decide to go to college or not. Most colleges accept students as undecided, unless you really want to get into an ivy league school like Harvard, your ok. I'm a Senior in College and I'm still not completely sure what I want to do. I only have some ideas.

Bottom line, planning for the future is scary, enjoy high school, and avoid making decisions until you have to.

Answer 5

I have a 17 year old senior. I wish I could italicize the following "It is absolutely okay to not know what you are going to spend the rest of your life doing at this age." I tell my son this over and over. I think people are just being a friendly kind of curious when they ask you what you want to do. There are kids your age that have found their calling and they are lucky, but most have not. Take your time. Freshmen year should be about getting your basics out of the way. You'll be exposed to ideas in college that haven't even crossed your mind yet. Leave yourself open to new ideas for now. Enjoy your senior year and your search for the perfect school with the knowledge that life is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck.

Answer 6

No, you still have plenty of time. Some colleges will admit students with delcared majors differently than "undecided" - you'll have to check with each school that you apply to. But, even as an "undecided", you can do 2 years of college before declaring a major. You can use the first two years to take the gen ed core requirements, and see what it is that you like, or have a talent for. There were plenty of people (myself and my hubby included), that I know who changed courses drastically in the middle of college. I went from accounting to history, my hubby from marine biology to accounting.

Don't feel the pressure. If it helps, ask your guidance counselor for resources to career aptitude tests. Sometimes these tests will help you find your natural talents, interests, and abilities.

In the meantime, if someone asks you what it is that you want to study, look them in the eye, smile, and say "life".

Answer 7

No you have plenty of time to decide what your career is going to be for the rest of your life...and even then you can change it in the future if you aren't happy. When you begin college you have to take a certain amount of pre-requisite classes that are similar in many undergraduate degrees so even after you start college, you can still fish around to see what interests you the most. I say first narrow it down and then do research in whatever field you want to go in and then decide. If you want to do something medical, start looking into things like that, talking to people you know that have been through the process, etc. Same for business, law, etc. Good luck!!

Answer 8

No, it's fine. Colleges don't usually require you to declare a major until your sophomore year, and you'll be 19 or 20 by then, so you have a few years to decide. And even then, the average college student changes majors six times before graduating, so no worries.

Answer 9

no u have plenty of time. lots of people dont decided until there second year of college

Answer 10

no you are not running out of time you have got as much time as you like but make sure it is your desishion and nobody elses