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What should I be doing if I don't know what I want to do in the future?
I'm feeling pressure about my future, whether directly from my parents or indirectly from my friends and myself. There is a feeling that I'll get left behind and I'll stay stuck mentally and professionally. I know what I need to do. Everyone around me at least has some semblance of a plan for the future like a career and is actively working towards it, and while I though I was the same a few years back, I feel overwhelmed with these decisions and I feel like my life will be over if I don't make them. I don't entirely know what type of answers I'm looking for. I feel as if I don' have control of my own destiny even though I should. I'm thankful for the life I've been given and to have the privilege to be able to choices for my future and decide my path, but I guess I've gotten to used to being told what to do to succeed that I can't make my own choices.
Should I take the SAT if my plan is the go to one the UCs.
What should I do during the summer? Volunteer, work(did this last summer, or community college Physics(free).
What should I be doing in order to prep for college apps(I haven't really done anything including talking to my counselor)?
Should I continue rotc into my 4th year? Its a free A and I get to do interesting things but I don't know if I'll help me anymore then it has.
I'm in the second semester of my junior year in high school. Doing AP chem, AP lang, AP stats, AP comp sci and a few honors and in my 3rd year of ROTC. I wouldn't say I'm exceling in any of these classes and expect a few Bs. I did get all As the past semester and every year prior though so thats pretty cool. I guess I lost the reason I continued to care for all this to begin with. For now I'll just cruise along like I've always have. I've never been too serious with anything to begin with so maybe thats why I'm in this position.
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4 answers
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Jesse, 😊
Totally get it—feeling uncertain about the future is something almost everyone goes through, especially with all the pressure from school, parents, and friends. Remember, you’re not alone in this, and it’s completely okay to not have every detail mapped out right now. Here are some ideas to consider, mixing in advice from some awesome mentors like Jenny, Michelle, and Bright:
Take the SAT anyway: Even if you’re leaning toward the UCs, taking the SAT can be a good way to gauge your academic standing. It’s just one piece of the puzzle, so don’t stress too much about it. 📚
Summer Plans:
• Try out a pre-college program to get a taste of what college life might be like.
• Volunteer or explore a field you haven’t tried before—new experiences can help you discover hidden passions.
• If you’re curious about community college courses (like free physics classes), give them a shot; it’s a low-risk way to explore new subjects. ☀️
Prep for College Apps:
• Set up a meeting with your school counselor ASAP—they can offer personalized advice and help you brainstorm essay topics.
• Start jotting down ideas based on your interests and experiences; even if nothing feels “perfect” yet, it’s all part of the process. ✍️
ROTC Decision:
If ROTC is offering you interesting experiences and valuable leadership skills, it might be worth sticking with it. It can be a great addition to your college application, even if it feels like a “free” opportunity. 🏅
Self-Exploration:
Don’t be afraid to try something totally new outside of school—whether it’s a sport, a creative hobby, or joining a club. New experiences can give you fresh perspectives and help you feel more in control of your own path. 🎨🚴♂️
As Jenny, Michelle, and Bright mentioned, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The key is to take things one step at a time, explore what interests you, and trust that your journey will unfold naturally. You’ve got time to figure things out, and every new experience is a step toward discovering what truly resonates with you. Keep cruising along, and know that you’re doing just fine. 👍
Stay curious and take it easy—your future is a journey, not a sprint! All the best Jesse, I believe in you and you should too because you are gonna do amazing things! 🥰
Totally get it—feeling uncertain about the future is something almost everyone goes through, especially with all the pressure from school, parents, and friends. Remember, you’re not alone in this, and it’s completely okay to not have every detail mapped out right now. Here are some ideas to consider, mixing in advice from some awesome mentors like Jenny, Michelle, and Bright:
Take the SAT anyway: Even if you’re leaning toward the UCs, taking the SAT can be a good way to gauge your academic standing. It’s just one piece of the puzzle, so don’t stress too much about it. 📚
Summer Plans:
• Try out a pre-college program to get a taste of what college life might be like.
• Volunteer or explore a field you haven’t tried before—new experiences can help you discover hidden passions.
• If you’re curious about community college courses (like free physics classes), give them a shot; it’s a low-risk way to explore new subjects. ☀️
Prep for College Apps:
• Set up a meeting with your school counselor ASAP—they can offer personalized advice and help you brainstorm essay topics.
• Start jotting down ideas based on your interests and experiences; even if nothing feels “perfect” yet, it’s all part of the process. ✍️
ROTC Decision:
If ROTC is offering you interesting experiences and valuable leadership skills, it might be worth sticking with it. It can be a great addition to your college application, even if it feels like a “free” opportunity. 🏅
Self-Exploration:
Don’t be afraid to try something totally new outside of school—whether it’s a sport, a creative hobby, or joining a club. New experiences can give you fresh perspectives and help you feel more in control of your own path. 🎨🚴♂️
As Jenny, Michelle, and Bright mentioned, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The key is to take things one step at a time, explore what interests you, and trust that your journey will unfold naturally. You’ve got time to figure things out, and every new experience is a step toward discovering what truly resonates with you. Keep cruising along, and know that you’re doing just fine. 👍
Stay curious and take it easy—your future is a journey, not a sprint! All the best Jesse, I believe in you and you should too because you are gonna do amazing things! 🥰
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jesse !
You sound like a wonderful student that is just not at a moment in time to settle upon a major or a career. Give it time. There are millions of people having this same experience and you need to be assured that everything will be okay. Worrying about it will only hold you back and foster negative feelings.
It is not difficult for me to understand why many, many young people of your generation may have so much worry about their future, you are not alone. I am on the lower end of the Boomer generation and even though nobody really worried about their future careers back in their younger days, there are always challenges for each generation, whether it be personally, politically, socially or any other element that life presents. My generation were basically encouraged and told that we can do anything we set our mind to and have a multitude of choices. This can be true for your generation as well if you go easy on yourself and never compare yourself to other people. Secret: we're not supposed to know our future, just live our present and slowly approach our own unique journey.
My advice is to start looking at colleges. You do not know if you'd choose your major before or after enrolling, so for now, take it a step at a time and it's perfectly fine to have an undeclared major upon admission to college. If you are undeclared upon admission, register for the General Education required courses to start off with. I advise continuing with ROTC because you are learning very strong skills through that. It will mean a lot on your resume and college applications. Also see if you can meet with your high school social worker to talk things out such as your disconnect that you've mentioned here. Also find new ways to make new friends. Never give up - keep your strength and the power you have over your life.
Think about doing something that you've never done before outside of school. Horseback riding, archery, painting or any other art or anything you've never thought about doing before. Joining a group outside of school can give you the opportunity to meet people of all ages and you can begin establishing a positive support system. You can do this - nothing is impossible in the real world.
I do hope this helps and I wish you all the best in your days ahead ! Remember that you are special and have some pretty important and special things to contribute to the world !
P.S. The University of California college system had done away with requiring SAT scores for admissions in recent years, however take the SAT or ACT exam - definitely take it. The UC system may use the SAT scores to decide who gets scholarships as well as what courses you can take, so yes, yes, take the SAT exam. The UC system is also currently considering coming up with a test similar to the SAT to require of students.
You sound like a wonderful student that is just not at a moment in time to settle upon a major or a career. Give it time. There are millions of people having this same experience and you need to be assured that everything will be okay. Worrying about it will only hold you back and foster negative feelings.
It is not difficult for me to understand why many, many young people of your generation may have so much worry about their future, you are not alone. I am on the lower end of the Boomer generation and even though nobody really worried about their future careers back in their younger days, there are always challenges for each generation, whether it be personally, politically, socially or any other element that life presents. My generation were basically encouraged and told that we can do anything we set our mind to and have a multitude of choices. This can be true for your generation as well if you go easy on yourself and never compare yourself to other people. Secret: we're not supposed to know our future, just live our present and slowly approach our own unique journey.
My advice is to start looking at colleges. You do not know if you'd choose your major before or after enrolling, so for now, take it a step at a time and it's perfectly fine to have an undeclared major upon admission to college. If you are undeclared upon admission, register for the General Education required courses to start off with. I advise continuing with ROTC because you are learning very strong skills through that. It will mean a lot on your resume and college applications. Also see if you can meet with your high school social worker to talk things out such as your disconnect that you've mentioned here. Also find new ways to make new friends. Never give up - keep your strength and the power you have over your life.
Think about doing something that you've never done before outside of school. Horseback riding, archery, painting or any other art or anything you've never thought about doing before. Joining a group outside of school can give you the opportunity to meet people of all ages and you can begin establishing a positive support system. You can do this - nothing is impossible in the real world.
I do hope this helps and I wish you all the best in your days ahead ! Remember that you are special and have some pretty important and special things to contribute to the world !
P.S. The University of California college system had done away with requiring SAT scores for admissions in recent years, however take the SAT or ACT exam - definitely take it. The UC system may use the SAT scores to decide who gets scholarships as well as what courses you can take, so yes, yes, take the SAT exam. The UC system is also currently considering coming up with a test similar to the SAT to require of students.
Hi, Jesse - please see my P.S. above ! Have a great day !
Michelle M.
Updated
Jenny’s Answer
Dear Jesse,
It is completely normal to feel puzzled about future and college at your junior year. Keep in mind that you are still very young and life (at least your career path) is so much more tolerable than you think it does. The end of the world is so much further, and it is okay to take some time as much as you needed to find something you want to do, even if it pervades to the entire 4-5 yrs of college.
I remembered when I was in my second semester in junior (actually it was the summer after junior) I was still researching for universities and brainstorming for ideas for my personal statement (ended up with writing about how I care about my succulents, nature and my culture around nature, but I was actually applying for art schools). The fact is that I got rejected by my ED school and felt zero value in myself (December 16th) but my college counsellor encouraged and inspired me to apply to a non-art school with a good art department for my ED2, which I got in. Yet I majored in international relations. I then took 2 gap yrs in my college just to explore the soceity of possible career directions ( tried therapy and administrative office). The point I'm trying to make is that none of my experience seem to be "on-track" and it is totally fine. I still feel this journey was meaningful and fun.
Going back to your questions and concerns...
1. Yes take the SAT but not because you plan to go to the UC but to know where you are academically in a test, the point of SAT score is to see your reading and math ability but does not present other values in you. And SAT is not the only factor that colleges consider, so don't worry as much.
2. For your summer, if it is not too late, try to apply for pre-college programs of universities on your research list, so you would have the experience of whether or not you would want your future 4 yrs to be like that. You could do volunteer work too but pick the one that you are new ton just to experience what it is like to work/study/volunteer in that environment.
3. Please talk to your counselor asap because the talk will spark ideas on your research list and personal statement. And actually talking to these professional college counselors in your school is much more valuable than asking questions here, please do take the advantage you deserve. Other preps like research and brainstorming for your essays would be nice.
I hope my answer is helpful to you. Making a plan would be great, but you do need to know that pressure comes naturally in this time of your life, and it will happen to everyone including the ones that you thunk they know what they need to do. The most crucial thing is to work on what is most important to you at this stage.
It is completely normal to feel puzzled about future and college at your junior year. Keep in mind that you are still very young and life (at least your career path) is so much more tolerable than you think it does. The end of the world is so much further, and it is okay to take some time as much as you needed to find something you want to do, even if it pervades to the entire 4-5 yrs of college.
I remembered when I was in my second semester in junior (actually it was the summer after junior) I was still researching for universities and brainstorming for ideas for my personal statement (ended up with writing about how I care about my succulents, nature and my culture around nature, but I was actually applying for art schools). The fact is that I got rejected by my ED school and felt zero value in myself (December 16th) but my college counsellor encouraged and inspired me to apply to a non-art school with a good art department for my ED2, which I got in. Yet I majored in international relations. I then took 2 gap yrs in my college just to explore the soceity of possible career directions ( tried therapy and administrative office). The point I'm trying to make is that none of my experience seem to be "on-track" and it is totally fine. I still feel this journey was meaningful and fun.
Going back to your questions and concerns...
1. Yes take the SAT but not because you plan to go to the UC but to know where you are academically in a test, the point of SAT score is to see your reading and math ability but does not present other values in you. And SAT is not the only factor that colleges consider, so don't worry as much.
2. For your summer, if it is not too late, try to apply for pre-college programs of universities on your research list, so you would have the experience of whether or not you would want your future 4 yrs to be like that. You could do volunteer work too but pick the one that you are new ton just to experience what it is like to work/study/volunteer in that environment.
3. Please talk to your counselor asap because the talk will spark ideas on your research list and personal statement. And actually talking to these professional college counselors in your school is much more valuable than asking questions here, please do take the advantage you deserve. Other preps like research and brainstorming for your essays would be nice.
I hope my answer is helpful to you. Making a plan would be great, but you do need to know that pressure comes naturally in this time of your life, and it will happen to everyone including the ones that you thunk they know what they need to do. The most crucial thing is to work on what is most important to you at this stage.
Updated
Bright’s Answer
Feeling lost and overwhelmed about your future is normal, but it's important to remember that everyone's journey is different. It's a great time to explore and discover, and it's okay to not know everything. Stop comparing yourself to your friends and focus on your own journey of self-discovery. Control your narrative and start experimenting. Acknowledge the privilege of having choices but don't let it paralyze you.
Cruising along is okay if it's coupled with exploration. Some specific questions to consider include taking the SAT and UCs, summer options like volunteering, work, Community College Physics (free), and college app preparation. Talk to your counselor immediately to discuss concerns and ask for guidance on college options, application timelines, and financial aid. Research colleges that interest you and brainstorm essay topics based on your values, experiences, and passions.
ROTC can provide structure, leadership skills, and potential scholarship opportunities, but don't just do it because it's "free." Focus on learning and exploring your interests within those classes. Bs are perfectly fine, especially in challenging courses, as long as your overall academic record is strong.
An action plan should include scheduling a counselor meeting, focusing on interest exploration, brainstorming, and not panicking. Dedicate time each week to exploring different fields, such as volunteering, shadowing professionals, reading, online courses, or talking to people in different careers. Start thinking about your values, interests, and what kind of impact you want to make in the world.
In conclusion, feeling lost and overwhelmed about your future is normal, but it's crucial to start exploring and discovering new things. Don't be afraid to try new things and see what resonates with you, as your future is not set in stone and you have the power to shape it.
Cruising along is okay if it's coupled with exploration. Some specific questions to consider include taking the SAT and UCs, summer options like volunteering, work, Community College Physics (free), and college app preparation. Talk to your counselor immediately to discuss concerns and ask for guidance on college options, application timelines, and financial aid. Research colleges that interest you and brainstorm essay topics based on your values, experiences, and passions.
ROTC can provide structure, leadership skills, and potential scholarship opportunities, but don't just do it because it's "free." Focus on learning and exploring your interests within those classes. Bs are perfectly fine, especially in challenging courses, as long as your overall academic record is strong.
An action plan should include scheduling a counselor meeting, focusing on interest exploration, brainstorming, and not panicking. Dedicate time each week to exploring different fields, such as volunteering, shadowing professionals, reading, online courses, or talking to people in different careers. Start thinking about your values, interests, and what kind of impact you want to make in the world.
In conclusion, feeling lost and overwhelmed about your future is normal, but it's crucial to start exploring and discovering new things. Don't be afraid to try new things and see what resonates with you, as your future is not set in stone and you have the power to shape it.