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I haven't been here long, but I'd like everyone's advice on this subject.
How do I decide what to do with my life?
I'm a sophomore in college with no major, or inklings of one as well as little interest in anything. I sleep until 2 most days, with no regard for class (though I do make it to work on time...but it's a sub shop, so that's not really the solution). I'm SUPPOSED to be in college because I'm SUPPOSED to be smart and what have you, but I don't see it. My long term plans extend to Bonnaroo, with nothing in between or after. To clarify, I'm not depressed (that was high school...yuck), I'm just bored, so this is your shot to pick a life for me.
Help me out, I know you can.
I believe that most people do not know what they want to do. You just sort of bumble through life and take it as it comes.
My girlfriend/wife/partner/whatever is a rare exception - she always wanted to be a vet. now she's a vet.
Me - No clue. I went to a college that some people I knew went to. Not because I was freinds with them, but just because I figured - hey, good enough for them, good enough for me.
As a result, I have a BS in Biotechnology. Now I work in sales for a scientific instruments company. meh - not really what kids dream about doing at night, but the pay is good and the job is mostly kinda fun.
You could always work at the sub shop - people needs subs - but it sounds like your aspirations are higher than that.
I agree with the previous poster - figure out what you like and see what kind of career you could build from it. talk to your advisor. talk to your friends - they are the ones that told me I should be in sales...even when I didn't think they were right.
Post by amantesuena on Apr 5, 2007 13:10:56 GMT -5
blaze: you sound exactly like me at that age. i managed to get through 3 years of college, but i had 5 different majors. not that those 3 years werent some of the best of my life, but i realized that i needed to cut myself off. my parents are awesome, if i ever needed anything they would do it for me, but that did not include paying for my tuition, books, or rent. i still have no idea what i want out of my life... i work hard, i have a nice place, and drive a pretty nice car, but i have no college degree. and believe me, paying off college loans isnt fun. this world we live in expects degrees. get something general. most of my friends (other than the teachers) arent working using the degrees they paid for, but it gets them hired. try business, its pretty easy, and you can do a lot with it.
but good luck with whatever you decide. my only long term plan includes bonnaroo as well. ;D
I'm 27 and I still have no idea what I want to do with my life. Other than that I don't want to do what I'm doing now. I can completely relate with your boredom, blazinaway. I just wish something would happen that would make my life more interesting. My life is like that Nine Inch Nails song. Everyday is Exactly the Same. Good times with good friends are too few and far between, but those times are what I look forward to the most.
36 and in the same boat. Got my liberal arts degree from local state u back in 93. Thought i wanted to be an attorney. Worked for some for a couple of years and learned alot about why i didn't want that type of life. Have been doing odd jobs, travelling,volunteering, hustling,etc and like Danbird-have made a long list of things i don't wanna do. I am happily married and am a good husband of 10 years. I like to try and find zen in EVERYTHING i do. Don't really sweat it now. Be a good person. Keep your eyes open. Staying in the game is important. When you find inspiration, hopefully your batteries will be charged by HOW YOU LIVE, and not WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING. Very few people find the juncture of the two. I think you will know it if/when you do. Until then, live for yourself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with defining your life by your own terms. I've come to find enjoyment spending time instead of money. And try to help others not as blessed as yourself. If we all thought in these terms, there would be far less hereos,...and far less need for them.
I think finding a goal really comes as you go along. You will find something or it will find you. The biggest thing is to just keep trying new things at this point.
It's an amazing point when you're out of school, an adult, and there's millions of options before you without any clear cut path that is sure to be a good choice. It's daunting. It's kept me in a rut for years, not knowing to turn left or right, I just kept moving ahead with what I was doing. Only not getting anywhere. I stayed in a horrible job for 4 years, and after moving on to my current job a year ago, moving forward, I am slowly figuring out what I really want. It's going to require an additional degree (I have an A.S. in graphic design) and that could take me a decade to get a BFA in Fine Arts, but I now I feel like that option gives me what I want. The lifestyle I want. There's been a few things I considered along the way, and I've come full circle back to wanting to teach.
It takes a while to figure out what to do with your life. It doesn't come automatically, and there's not always a light at the end of the tunnel to reassure you. But don't stress it. It's not worth being stressed, and that isn't going to help you in the end.
We treat mishaps like sinking ships and I know that I don't want to be out to drift Well I can see it in your eyes like I taste your lips and They both tell me that we're better than this
36 and in the same boat. Got my liberal arts degree from local state u back in 93. Thought i wanted to be an attorney. Worked for some for a couple of years and learned alot about why i didn't want that type of life. Have been doing odd jobs, travelling,volunteering, hustling,etc and like Danbird-have made a long list of things i don't wanna do. I am happily married and am a good husband of 10 years. I like to try and find zen in EVERYTHING i do. Don't really sweat it now. Be a good person. Keep your eyes open. Staying in the game is important. When you find inspiration, hopefully your batteries will be charged by HOW YOU LIVE, and not WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING. Very few people find the juncture of the two. I think you will know it if/when you do. Until then, live for yourself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with defining your life by your own terms. I've come to find enjoyment spending time instead of money. And try to help others not as blessed as yourself. If we all thought in these terms, there would be far less hereos,...and far less need for them.
My 2 cents... and some from M. Ward
I agree wholeheartedly! I am 38 and not exactly where I expected to be in life - not that my life is bad - married with kids and I have a decent job - just not what I expected. I am 6 hours short of a degree and tons of student loans.
I think Snoochio is right is is more about HOW you live then WHAT you do for a living
Gee thanks there, Poopzy. Been reading for years. Finally inspired to chime in.
These here be some "exciting" times if you're looking on the bright side of life. Lots of opportunity to make change as the paradigm begins to rust. As people begin to struggle and cling to the security they thought they had with convention, the adaptable and accountables will redefine the American Dream. Being amongst the first generations to not be able to expect to achieve the "quality of life" that our parents enjoyed, we are charged with redefining our ideals. We can embrace the challenge or deny it. To me, the idea that everyone NEEDS a college degree is ludicrous. That piece of paper has become like a high school diploma was 25 years ago. My wife makes twice the coinage i do and never completed her degree. Surely helps to have one. But you're gonna need to define yourself through your skillz and accountability. And if you're going to have to pledge THAT much just to make a living, you'd darn sure better enjoy it and believe in it. Til then, enjoy the ride and pass on a smile !
karma for you blaze... snooch is dead on, its HOW you live, not what you do for a living that defines you. thats the best advice i've seen given on this board....well, next to the "bring wipies on the ferris wheel" advice.... you'll figure it out blaze, until then you're in my thoughts...
"White collar conservative flashin down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high." Jimi Hendrix
the thing that most helped me in deciding what i wanted to do with my life (i'm assuming you're referring to a career/profession/employment here) was deciding what kind of lifestyle i wanted to live.
for example: what time of day do you prefer to work? you a morning person? how much do you think you need to make to live how you want to live? is it important to have a flexible schedule for things like family/vacations in the future? do you want to travel or stay in one place?
once i started realizing how i wanted to live when i wasn't working, it made it a lot easier to narrow down the options that would allow me to live the lifestyle i wanted.
i like snooch's quote too, here's one from a very successful friend of mine: "i work to live, i don't live to work"
Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs, but my back's not to the wall Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man, but the days just aren't that long So if I settle back and chill will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream? I thought it was the Story of the World!
and believe me, paying off college loans isnt fun. this world we live in expects degrees. get something general. most of my friends (other than the teachers) arent working using the degrees they paid for, but it gets them hired. try business, its pretty easy, and you can do a lot with it. 
