I think everyone feels this at some point in their life. Growing up is scary. I'm about to start my first year of college too and while I've already decided that I'm majoring in communications, I barely even know what that means. All I know is that I can write pretty good so I'm gonna stick with that.

So I just started community college a couple of days ago and have come to the conclusion that I don't even know if I should be there. I only really am going because my high school kept saying that you should go to college after you're done with high school, so I signed up to do the basics. I still have no clue what I actually should do with my life and wonder if maybe this was a mistake. It doesn't help any that I'm scared about the possibility of failing and the money and time would all just be a waste. I wish I knew what the hell to do. I think I might go through this semester no matter what grades I get, but after that I don't know if I'll go back for another semester. I keep hearing about other people at the school through over heard conversations saying they know exactly what they want to do and wish I was like them.

Just wing it. I wanted to be an engineer for years while I was in school. I worked fairly hard at math, which was my weak spot, and took some of the most difficult subjects my school had to offer to get into the course. I got in through a back door programme, but it wasn't grant aided. Turns out that despite my lack of funds, it was the best thing to happen to me, as within a year, I figured out that I hated engineering. To me, it was backwards, working within major limitations, in order to get your degree. We had stupidly pointless modules, and an IT class that a majority of engineers failed, as they weren't supported properly.  Oh and at the end of our 4-5 year undergrad course, we had to go on and do another 1-2 years of post-grad, then register with Engineers Ireland to even work within the engineering sector, outside of a lecturing job. Still, I met some great people, and I wouldn't be half the man I am today if I hadn't tried that course.
 
I left, and went on to do a course majoring in English & History, two subjects I was great at, and had an interest in. I took up the elective of Communications, which was basically psychology, and loved it. So when I finish up in college, I'm planning on going back as a mature student in a three year psychology course.
 
The point is; you have plenty of time to work out what you want to do, I mean, judging by the economy, you're much better off going to college, as work is pretty scarce everywhere.
 
Also, whatever you end up doing, do it for the love. Money is nice, but as long as you're doing something you love, you'll be fine. You have years to figure out what you want to do, but trying things is the choice for you right now. Learn, meet new people, experience life, and relax. Eventually you'll find something you want to do, just give it time :D

@InfiniteGeass said:

@LunarAura said:

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

I'm with you. The future is scary. I try not to over think it.

quote fits your avatar.

Anyway, the best advice I can give is don't be scared to fail because hey at least you tried and by failing you know what you are good at. I remember being afraid to fail in college early on and then learned that on top of gaining the knowledge of what doesn't work for me, there were ways to bring those failures "off the record" so as not to affect your cumulative or major GPA. Good luck!

I think the only way I can have a class not affect my GPA is if I drop it and I only get 6 drops through all of college I think. It's some stupid state law or something.

Hopefully you wont need it but there should be a policy about class retakes and something called "academic renewal". I had to use both and got to repair a 0.6 GPA to a 3.7 no joke.

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

I'm with you. The future is scary. I try not to over think it.

quote fits your avatar.

Anyway, the best advice I can give is don't be scared to fail because hey at least you tried and by failing you know what you are good at. I remember being afraid to fail in college early on and then learned that on top of gaining the knowledge of what doesn't work for me, there were ways to bring those failures "off the record" so as not to affect your cumulative or major GPA. Good luck!

you are not the only one

I know it has been suggested already, but have you looked into the military at all? I just finished an 8 year enlistment in the Air Force and it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was in the same boat before I joined, but the military matured me a lot. I figured out what I wanted in life, and the military gave me the discipline and motivation to get it done.

It really isn't that bad either, most people in the Air Force are cushy 9-5 desk jockeys. You'll learn a lot of technical skills along the way as well. Only reason I'm leaving is because I didn't want to miss my daughter growing up, but for single folk its not to bad.

I don't think many  schools here do a very good job in helping students explore career-related areas on interest.  It doesn't matter, because if you don't have a brilliant idea that will change social interaction, then stick with college.  It will come to you, plus you don't want to fold clothes or serve lobster the rest of your life.

I'm in the same boat, currently I am taking general classes at my local community college.
 
I'm actually thinking of possibly transferring to a tech school in a year or two.

@SpikeSpiegel said:

@SeriouslyNow said:

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

Awful advice.

Yep. That is pretty bad advice.

The worst advice? The worst advice.

I'm where the original poster is a year from now. Like him/her, I was just out of high school and beginning a first year university education. I had no clue what career I'd even be remotely interested in doing for the rest of my life. I took general courses, examples include English, Chemistry, Psychology, Creative Writing, and Calculus (which I dropped because math is the bane of my existence). I decided to not continue education at my current university because I possessed little to no passion about the things I studied, as well as lacked motivation to keep going through those motions. I felt as if my return for a 2nd year of the same stuff would yield the same feelings I felt during my first year: dread and obligation. But we're both not even 20 yet (I'm guessing). We are young, we have time on our side, but make no mistake: time is the most valuable commodity existence has ever provided. One person makes the decisions about your life, and that is you. Not your parents (whose overwhelming expectations and aspirations for you may become crippling), not friends (whose pressure may guide you into something you aren't altogether happy about), and not anyone else because you have one life to live and to forfeit that privilege is insanity. You can only go where your heart tells, only you know what will feel right. Keep in mind, however, that every experience holds some value to it. One course you take at college/university may help point you in a positive direction, and conversely it may illuminate what areas of study may not be right for you. You won't know about anything unless you try getting out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to new things. New things may materialize in the form of a job opportunity, a chance to travel, or even some random conversation with a person whose words trigger within you a new direction for life. As for myself, I currently have 2 part/full time jobs, taking a break from second year courses, and hope to raise enough money to travel to Denmark for a couple of months. I hope to experience life not centered around grades and class schedules, rather I hope to gain a new and refreshed perspective on what I want out of life, and hopefully have a better idea about what I want out my life. All I can summarize as such is: listen to what your feelings are telling you about what you are doing, and don't be afraid to try new/different/scary things once in a while because they could be the catalyst that points you in a direction you are passionate about. And if you are super serious about wanting to find a direction, you will force yourself to set goals (write that shit down on paper and keep it with you), and work hard to be honest with yourself.

@Kane_233 said:

@Vodun said:

@Bloviator: Ouch, jesus christ how do you survive on that? 20 bucks was hyperbolic but I actually know a guy who worked at a burger chain a while back and at current exchange rates he made around 14-15 an hour.

...this sounds like bullsh*t. Current exchange rates? Was he out of country? Where did he work? Was it an upscale area? Most currencies "float" against one another today...so I don't quite see how that's a relevant metric. $15 an hour in the US doesn't net you a comparable lifestyle in Hong Kong based on COLA or the difference in inflation/purchasing power/etc. So....come again?

Well that's the problem, no idea where these people are since this is an international site...no idea what the reference is. I'm from Sweden and here that constitutes burger flippin' money.

@Bribo said:

@Bloviator said:

@Vodun said:

Don't know where you're from but where I'm coming from 20 bucks/hour pretty much constitutes burger flipping money. Good luck with your education in "the medical field". I'm sure your narrow mindedness will serve you well in that profession.

Where I'm from burger flipping is $7.25 an hour.

That may be the case where you live, but Vodun's avatar is a top hat. So I am far more inclined to trust his asessment, although I have no idea where he is "coming from". Judging from the cut of his hat, and his spectacularly arrogant air, I suspect he hails from Cuntsilvania which currenly tops the economic tables thanks to it's exports of capes, vampires and arrogant cunts.

"Where I'm coming from" is a reference to my state of life, point of view, rather than my actual location. Meaning that 20 bucks/hour is so low it might as well be burger flipping. This is in reference to the post I replied to which indicated you don't need an education to make money, and anything but what he considered valid education was a waste of time. I have quite a long education behind me, and not within one of these "valid" fields, and I love what I do and make a ton of money doing it. Merely trying to prove that an education within something you enjoy might be a good idea, even if it is not generally considered a valid field of study.

I think the best advice I could give is never deny yourself the chance to learn anything new , this goes beyond college and university , a person who knows a lot has many doors open , example I never wanted a job at a construction site , I landed one , I did not liked it as much but you know , I learned not just about how houses are built etc. I learned about the real world and sometimes how to deal with more unsavory (cheaters and such) people .... it may not seem like much but on the long run has helped me somewhat (and if I am to be a film director I will need to deal with unsavory people :P ). Or what is your hobby? Videogames? Go for programing (at the end is more than certain that programer will be needed in a more technological society) You like drawing? Go for art/design , you like music ... hey you could be (gosh) the next Justin Bieber/ Mozart. You are not good at math but you like writing? Hey transformer movies dont write themselves. People that has found happines in their lives has tried to do his hobby for a living at it works , just have in mind stuff just dont fall from the sky you have to reach for it , it may take you a long time but as many have pointed out just dont stall yourself and remember all knowledge is good knowledge , even a mechanic with no education can know a thing or two that is useful in life.

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

I'm with you. The future is scary. I try not to over think it.

quote fits your avatar.

Anyway, the best advice I can give is don't be scared to fail because hey at least you tried and by failing you know what you are good at. I remember being afraid to fail in college early on and then learned that on top of gaining the knowledge of what doesn't work for me, there were ways to bring those failures "off the record" so as not to affect your cumulative or major GPA. Good luck!

I'm with you. The future is scary. I try not to over think it.

@Vodun said:

@Bloviator: Ouch, jesus christ how do you survive on that? 20 bucks was hyperbolic but I actually know a guy who worked at a burger chain a while back and at current exchange rates he made around 14-15 an hour.

...this sounds like bullsh*t. Current exchange rates? Was he out of country? Where did he work? Was it an upscale area? Most currencies "float" against one another today...so I don't quite see how that's a relevant metric. $15 an hour in the US doesn't net you a comparable lifestyle in Hong Kong based on COLA or the difference in inflation/purchasing power/etc. So....come again?

@SpikeSpiegel: @SpikeSpiegel said:

@ch13696 said:

@SpikeSpiegel said:

@SeriouslyNow said:

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

Awful advice.

Yep. That is pretty bad advice.

Most likely, this is coming from people that feel their major's are very useful.

Nope! I really don't. Doesn't mean that I don't need a degree, as well as work experience, to make myself competitive.

....how many lawyers do you think graduated this past year and passed the BAR exam? And of those, how many do you believe got a job? What were their total costs after law school (i.e. Grad School where you have no life until it's done)? Your advice lacks nuance...I've yet to even suggest a careful examination of job prospects based on the type of law that you went to school for let alone median wages in the profession (Not as rich as you'd think, media does a horrible job with this). I'd stop giving advice now guy.

@Vodun said:

Don't know where you're from but where I'm coming from 20 bucks/hour pretty much constitutes burger flipping money. Good luck with your education in "the medical field". I'm sure your narrow mindedness will serve you well in that profession.

Where I'm from burger flipping is $7.25 an hour.

Figure out what kind of life you want, and make your way backwards and see where it took you.

@Bloviator: Ouch, jesus christ how do you survive on that? 20 bucks was hyperbolic but I actually know a guy who worked at a burger chain a while back and at current exchange rates he made around 14-15 an hour.

@Vodun said:

Don't know where you're from but where I'm coming from 20 bucks/hour pretty much constitutes burger flipping money. Good luck with your education in "the medical field". I'm sure your narrow mindedness will serve you well in that profession.

Where I'm from burger flipping is $7.25 an hour.

@Vodun said:

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

I studied for 5 years to get a master's in interaction design and work as one now so fuck you very much mr burger flipper.

Burger flipper? HA! Far from it. I've worked in the casino business for almost 8 years making between $15-20 an hour. I've dealt with every single thing that has to do with money. Yes, I did lose my job because of the outcome of the economy, but that just shows that I don't need a degree to make some good money. However, I am in school for a field that does make sense. The medical field.

I would like to thank everyone for all of your advice. I think I will continue to go to school this semester and probably the next doing basic courses while figuring out what I want to do. I just hope I can succeed in my classes.

I graduated from college like 6 years ago and still don't know what I'm doing with my life. Join the party.

i just suggest you get a degree in something that matters. i went to community college with multimedia degree and i can't find a job. i want to become a graphic designer but that doesn't seem to be working since places that i send my resume to doesn't seem to be hiring. college people are going back to school so it seems like places are hiring again, i heard back from 3 stop and shops in august but other couple of months i didn't.

Well, there's always the military.

I kid, if you are this worried about college, you probably wouldn't want to join a service.

Just take core classes for now, check out some of the clubs if your school has em, think about what you enjoy doing in life, and find a path that suits you. Give it a bit, not everyone knows what they want to do. Sometimes you just need to try things out and wait till you get it. Figure out a general direction you like (art, math, teaching, social studies, skilled labor) and then investigate further into the ones that appeal to you.

Whatever you do, don't just let life push you through, that's how you get stuck in some shitty job doing something you hate.

Although if you really do remain that directionless and never really figure something out, it may not hurt to think about the military. If you know what end of an Ethernet cable your supposed to plug in, you could probably get a relatively low key MOS/job. I knew a couple people, had no idea what the fuck they wanted to do, and then ended up really enjoying their military career. If you make it 4 years, you end up in a position of much great stability to approach your desired career, with some money, something to put on a resume, and very little to worry about in terms of paying for college. Plus you get training, potential some damned good training, and a lot of assistance with education while you are in the service. Money's not great unless you go career, but you won't need to spend quite as much if you do things right.

I'm making every effort possible to join the Marine Corps (a lot of set backs, I'm in a program to get you into boot camp right out of high school, and it's been a pain getting credits finished up, plus I've been going through a bunch of legal issues because of my abusive father having issues with my brother and other stuff), but if I manage to stick with it for 4 years, that puts me at the maximum benefit from the GI Bill, ready to start college, with a bit of money in my pocket, and still only 22. It means a hard 4 years, but it's also something I want to do, and I'm not doing it for the benefits. Obviously it's not something you should do if you aren't willing and able, but if you are, it's certainly an option to consider. Just don't rush into it because you think "oh hey, everything is hopeless and this is my only option."

@FancySoapsMan said:

Unless you have a job that pays well already, I suggest you stay in college. You'll figure out what you want to do eventually.

I can hardly afford my school, I hate the shit out of it, and my major is completely and utterly useless (english). I'm fucked, and am merely biding time by sinking thousands into that shithole of a school before ending up debt-ridden and jobless upon graduation. The thing about college is that, since the economy has fucked for so long, it's become this "Mystical Golden Ticket" to any job you want post-high school. Now it's about as useful as a fuckin' GED. Just grind out these four years and hope to God you won't be fucked like the other 99.9% of us upon graduation. It's all you can do, man. The world is literally so fucked that there's only one path left to go through life. No longer are we allowed the options of even trying to become self-made, because no one is going to give you a chance. It disgusts me.

Find what you love and then find a way to do that.

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

I studied for 5 years to get a master's in interaction design and work as one now so fuck you very much mr burger flipper.

@ch13696 said:

@SeriouslyNow said:

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

Awful advice.

Name me one major that is necessary to have a degree in besides medical, scientific, or law.

Your assumption that anything else is useless is the reason why you give awful advice. There are also qualified lawyers, doctors and scientists who serve coffee for a living. You don't understand the real world at all.

I've spent a total of 5 years at university and still only have a job were mostly high school kids work. The people who are as old as me (mid 20's) are managers and such because they have worked their way up when I was spending my time in school. Also I have a lot of loans to pay back. Right now going to university doesn't seem like the best decision I ever made. Maybe if I knew what I really wanted, but I didn't so I have studied a lot of different stuff.

It's easier to get a job with a college education.  You need a job to buy stuff.  Don't be lazy now or you'll regret it later in life.  If you're just starting school, I wouldn't worry too much about your major or future field of study since you'll need to get all the crap required courses out of the way anyway.  Two years down the road you might have a better idea about where you want to take your future.  Or maybe not.  If the latter, I suggest business since it can be applied to a number of different fields. 

@MideonNViscera said:

@Metalideth said:

Don't be an idiot, higher education is always the answer.

Attitudes like that are the reason there's a million waiters with $100000 debt.

I have a relative that's in this position. They've gone to college for the medical field. The schooling's almost over and the person still lives with their parents with debt well over 100k and has to borrow money like they're 16 when in fact they're almost 30. It'll take that person a long time to get rid of the debt they've racked up and it's going to be a long time before they get to buy a car or a house. I take pride in having worked a manual labor job for a couple years. Then I got promoted to work in the office. Now I own shares in the business and I'm going to get a house soon completely debt free. Sure I can lose my job and house but that can happen to anyone at any time. There's no such thing as job security. College helps and is good, but it is not necessarily needed to be successful in life. There are many many other paths that can make you happy and successful. Higher education isn't always the answer.

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

I studied for 5 years to get a master's in interaction design and work as one now so fuck you very much mr burger flipper.

@ch13696 said:

@SpikeSpiegel said:

@SeriouslyNow said:

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

Awful advice.

Yep. That is pretty bad advice.

Most likely, this is coming from people that feel their major's are very useful.

My major wasn't anything that gave me a direct road into a specific profession, but the knowledge I gained from four years of college was necessary for me to have the job I work today.

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

Ok, medical I can understand, finding an LPN or RN job at the moment is probably the easiest passage you will find. Science? You better be pretty damn smart and run your field like a master, because buddy, there are a thousand of you out there. Law? Your kidding right? There are so many "established" lawyers running around like a chicken with their head caught off it's not even funny. I'll remind the guy at the bus stop on my way to college that he should just stick with his law degree because it's the only worthwhile one.

I think the suggestion to just keep doing something is pretty good.  I didn't, and now I'm fucked. 
 
If I had just kept with it, I might still have no idea what I wanted to do, but at least I'd have a piece of paper that told people I was worth hiring for something. 

You'll hear a couple of bitter people tell you that if you're not going to be a scientist, doctor, or lawyer, then college is worthless. 
 
They're quite wrong and obviously haven't been in the real world much. Oh, sure, you can get a job without a degree. But it won't pay very much at all, it won't be very secure, and you'll work your ass off for a bunch of assholes that will get rid of you on a whim. 
 
This isn't to say that there aren't people with doctorates in those kinds of jobs. There are. But the college degree, with a good amount of skill, a straight set of priorities, and a little sprinkle of luck can net you a much, much better job. 
 
Personally? I'm a commuter at a 4-year college near me. I'm a sophomore and have no clue what I want to do, so I'm going to find something to major in that can get me a job. I'm going to have some debt, and I'm going to have to live with that, but in the end it will pay off. Still paying off the debt at 30 years old? My life won't even be halfway over at 30!  
 
Even if you disagree with all that's said, let me give one big hint: don't stagnate. Don't just become content with a little something. Always try to bring yourself up. You won't regret it. 
 
Oh, yeah, and make sure you put your priorities straight. Work always comes before entertainment, and you'll really have to pick and choose when and what you want to entertain yourself with. 

I'm in the same situation, although I'm not going to college yet, nor do i plan to.
Might try being a cop, protect and serve and all that good stuff. They get alright wages and go to retirement at 45-50 max.  Oh btw, don't worry too much about it, everything works out in the end.

Don't be an idiot, higher education is always the answer.

Hey dude, thanks for starting this thread, I'm currently also in a position where I just finished ''high-school'' and cannot really figure out what to do with my life. 
However, I don't know if this is useful information for you, - I decided to go to Israel for a year, just (as it has been stressed) to do something, especially now that I have the time. Of course it helps a lot that I actually have a huge interest in going to a Kibbutz, but It could have been something else, not necessarily a trip to Israel. 
 
Peace.

Just take some general classes, that should at least give you a year or two so you have some time too figure out what you want your major too be.

I switched majors before I started my first day, and I'm pondering the idea of switching again. But since most of my classes were general, if I do, I haven't thrown much away.

@ch13696 said:

@SpikeSpiegel said:

@SeriouslyNow said:

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

Awful advice.

Yep. That is pretty bad advice.

Most likely, this is coming from people that feel their major's are very useful.

Nope! I really don't. Doesn't mean that I don't need a degree, as well as work experience, to make myself competitive.

@ch13696 said:

@SeriouslyNow said:

@ch13696 said:

Don't go to college unless you're really sure that you want to do something in the medical, scientific, or law field. Everything else is just bull shit.

Awful advice.

Name me one major that is necessary to have a degree in besides medical, scientific, or law.

Your assumption that anything else is useless is the reason why you give awful advice. There are also qualified lawyers, doctors and scientists who serve coffee for a living. You don't understand the real world at all.