To all of my normal, on-schedule graduates,
I am a super senior.
Yes, I said it. I have been in college for more than the required four years as an undergraduate student. But don’t judge me. Believe it or not, I have been doing everything I need to do. I go to all of my classes. I actually pay attention. I even sit at the front of the room.
But I’ve switched my major a few times along the way. In case you’re wondering, I was originally majoring in business. For three years, I went along with a major that I thought I’d be good at. What I didn’t realize is that although doing something you’re good at is okay, being happy and good at something is better.
I have a pretty simple explanation for how this happened. Literally, I woke up one morning and realized that I didn’t want to do this for the rest of my life. I was bored. There was no excitement and very little interest. Since that day, I started taking more “random” classes. I went from business, to sociology and then finally to journalism. When I finally found something I liked, I stuck to it; it was almost as if I’d met “the one,” and I would be willing to do anything to make it work. Because of my choice, I have to take another two years worth of classes. In my opinion, those two years will be the most memorable.
Although my uncertainty has taken me to a completely different field than where I started from, I am so happy with my final choice. I can honestly say that I won’t be switching my major again; or at least not any time soon. I can save that for grad school.
What can you learn from this? Well, ask yourself: what can you see yourself doing within the next five to seven years? Where can you see yourself doing it? How do you plan to get there? All of these are equally important questions.
You. Have. Time. Take it. Use it! I’ve always believed that being happy with a job you love that earns you an average income is better than being miserable and making six figures.
Do what interests you and don’t just pick something that you’re good at. Then again, don’t pick something you’re rubbish at either. Find that inbetween point. If you absolutely want to be a surgeon, but you can’t handle looking at blood, maybe that profession is just not for you. If you want to be a waiter at a restauraunt but you think you’ll eat all of your customer’s food, that probably isn’t for you either. However, if you are great at something you never dreamed would become a career, try it out. That’s what college is for, clearly.
No matter what you decide, just remember happiness is the key.
Don’t think that this is going to be easy like picking someone up at a bar or college party. In fact, it’s far from it. Starting and finishing something takes time and patience. If you aren’t willing to commit to something as consuming as that, then maybe you should just be content with where you are in your life currently.
Nothing comes easy and nothing is free. Everything and every choice come with sacrifice. In this case, happiness means sacrificing an extra few years of time and hard work. Believe me. If I can do it, you can do it too.
Sincerely,
The Future Graduate
