The conversation was flowing well. As the second semester senior debates whether she should make an excuse to leave, the question presents itself. Her grandmother chimes in to ask “where are you going to school next year?” Next, her uncle asks what she will major in.
Where are you going to school? Who are you rooming with? Will you graduate in four years? How much does it cost? What will you be majoring in?
The answer, for me at least, always seems to be “I don’t know.”
The stress of deciding their entire future scares most students out of their mind. There are so many variables to discuss. The choice is life-changing. And sometimes not for the better.
Students who choose a school, pack up their life, and move into their dorms could be making a huge mistake if it is not the right fit for them. If that school doesn’t work out, they will need to pack up again and try to start fresh, not sure if the next choice will be any better.
Debt is an entire other argument. Should someone pick an okay school for 15,000 a year or their dream school for 40,000 a year?
The stress of the major decision is enough to break a person down. Unable to even think about the issue at hand, students just put off the decision as long as possible.
But before we know it, May 1st will roll around. Our decisions will be made, and there is no turning back. Once the decision is made and deposit is down, you’re stuck. And if that’s not terrifying, then I don’t know what is.
Not that I would know, but I’ve heard that when the decision is made, it feels like a giant bag of bricks has been lifted off your shoulders.
Although it’s stressful now, soon enough, the decision will be made. My life will be decided; and that is that.
In a few months, the conversation will appear again. As a relative starts to ask about college and my future, I will not have that fear of not knowing the answer. Because I will know it.
