How am I supposed to figure out what I want???

Question

I'm really confused and I need help sorting it all out. Last september I started college majoring in pre-med. My grades sucked and I took a semester off. I am going back to college at a different school and I intend to go for secondary education. My question being how do I tell if I changed my career focus out of fear or actual realization that being a doctor isn't what I want? When it comes down to it all i've ever wanted was to help people in my job and now I don't know what to do. I decided not to be a doctor during my time away and I don't know if it was the embarrasment of the bad grades or a genuine realization that I don't want to be a doctor. I've also wanted, at least on some level, to be a teacher ever since I was little. I also like to please people and whenever I told them I was pre-med or I was going to be a doctor; they were proud of me. When I tell these same people that I'm no longer doing so, I get an "oh that's nice" look. How am I supposed to figure this out?

Answer 1

Sit down by yourself & try to sort it out. Write this down & answer everything throughly.Do you want to be a doctor , why or why not.Have you ever thought about being a nurse or home health aide? Why or why wouldn't that be a good idea for you. how about a lab tech or pharmacist . Why or why wouldn't that be a good idea.Have you ever thought of being a psychiatrist? Why or why wouldn't that be a good idea. Do you want to be a teacher why or why not. Remember back when you were little,think back, what did you want to do most of all when you grew up? Whatever it was why, & could you still do that now? You are the only one who has any idea what you would like to do most of all. If this doesn't help I suggest seeing a counselor maybe they can help you sort it all out.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. Ever since I was little I wanted to be a doctor. But I allowed myself to get side tracked, I got pregnant and got all caught up in making money now!! I took time off from school and when I went back I didn't do my best. One day out with my b/f I said if I don't becme a docctor, what will I do with my life, cause I never thought of anything else. Now I am a stay home mom of 3, pursuing my degree in Accounting. I wish I had pursued my dream, but I'm ok. I can always go back and do it if I want to. There are lots of things you can do, you can be a psycologigist, counselor, teacher, RN, Physical Therapist, lawyer the list goes on and on. There are lots of things you can do to help people. Start exploring other carrers, doesn't hrut to look. You owe it to yourself, it's your future! Don't worry about what others think, it's your life to live and enjoy. If when you look in the mirror you see a doctor, then go for it again. Med school, and pre med courses are hard !!! Plenty of doctors can tell you of their school horror stories, but they made it and if that's what you want you'll pulll it out of yourself and make it happen. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

The only way to find your passion is to try a lot of different things. Have you ever volunteered as a tutor or worked as a substitute to see if teaching is really for you? And have you ever volunteered at a clinic or shadowed a physician to see if medicine is for you? Trying things out is the only real way to see if it’s for you.

You should also keep your eyes open for other opportunities. Write for the school newspaper or take on a leadership role in your student government, and you may discover yourself gaining new passions and learning new skills, things that can lead you in entirely different directions. They key is to expose yourself to many different things.

If you do decide you want to be a teacher instead of a physician, just go for it—and don’t let the nay sayers hold you back. After all, it’s you who will be going to your job every day and enjoying your school vacations, not them. I too was a people-pleaser in college and thought I had found my career when I told people I wanted to be a lawyer and they gave me the "oh, good job!" response. But when I actually thought about it, I realized I wanted to be a lawyer because I just didn’t know what else I could do in life. Now I work at a completely different field and love it.

Answer 4

hey, you gave pre-med a shot and changed your mind--that is not a crime---millions of people change their minds everyday---at least you have a plan to try something else--so give that a shot---you may change it all again--nothing says you have to teach. You just have to keep trying. relax, you are being a little hard on yourself, here.It isn't fear and it isn't failure and it is NOT the end of the world...it is natural to have doubts and concerns--you do what is right for YOU...not anyone else. Being realistic is good and I am glad to see you have come to grips with not going into medicine--it is a great deal of concentration and studying and working to become a doctor--it isn't for everyone. You want to help people?? You can be a cop or a firefighter---or a psycologist or a sociologist---or just get a job in a business that offers customer assistance, see what I mean--you get a job that does something for people and be happy. relax and smile---good luck

Answer 5

You have to live for your own satisfaction, and other people will be happy that you are happy. That's how it works.

Apparently most people change their majors at least once. I entered college thinking I was going to major in accounting. My grades sucked majorly. So I just took some general classes for a semester or two. (English, history, basic science, etc.) When people asked, I said I was undecided. I got some odd looks, but in general I was told I was being wise to see what I liked. The major you choose should make you excited to learn. I have found that excitement in life sciences. I confess my major is now Biology with a emphasis in conservation. (a far cry from accounting)

Answer 6

You really should figure this out soon before you waste countless hours and countless dollars trying to reach a goal you didn't want to reach anyway.

Stop thinking about what other people will say. YOU are the one who will have to live with this decision for the rest of your life.

Think about what makes you genuinely happy. What puts a smile on your face? Do you want to help people in the health field...or work closely with children in a school setting? Or do you wish to work in Pediatrics?

Please yourself for once...you won't regret it.

Answer 7

i would take a year off and go to the peace corp and find out that way first. it oculd help you decide what you want.

Answer 8

make your self happy then you will make others . to thy own self be true . step back and look outside of the box