The conversation was flowing well. As the second semester senior debated whether she should make an excuse to leave, the question presented itself. Her grandmother chimed in to ask, “Where are you going to school next year?”  Next, her uncle asked 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 minds. There are so many variables to discuss. The choice is life-changing. And sometimes it is not for the better.

Students choose a school, pack up their life and move into their dorms, but they 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 the 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, many students just put off the decision as long as possible.

But before we know it, May 1 will roll around. Our decisions will be made, and there will be no turning back. Once the decision is made and deposit is down, we’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 occur 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.