5 Things to Remember During a Mid-College Life Crisis
“Hi! My name is _______ and I have no idea what I want to do with my life!”
If you’re anything like me, that is the response you want to give when people ask you what your plans are following college graduation. When you’re a freshman, there isn’t so much added pressure with the college questions. At this stage, people are more concerned with whether or not you like your roommate and how the food at the dining hall is. However once that first year is over and you find yourself in your sophomore, junior year, and especially senior year, people seem to expect you to have your whole life figured out. As if keeping up with a hefty course load, trying to maneuver the laundry room, and getting that cute boy from your lab to notice you isn’t stressful enough; you’re supposed to have figured out your dream job and aspirations for after college too. This added pressure often leads to the dreaded, yet sometimes unavoidable mid-college life crisis.
Here are a 5 crucial points to remember if you find yourself falling victim to MCLC:
1. College and university advisors are there to help you. It’s their job!
At many colleges and universities nowadays, advisors that you are assigned to are also teachers in the field you are looking to peruse. This can be helpful for a number of reasons. For starters, they obviously have experience and expertise in the subject matter. Also, they can advise you in regards to which classes and professor might best suit your interests. It may seem scary going to an advisor, but more often than not they are going to lead you on the right track to a successful education at your given school.
2. Your major will not make or break your career path for the rest of your life.
While there are some specific jobs that require a certain undergraduate degree, such as engineering, there are also many jobs that may not even look at your major upon interviewing you for a position. There is such an emphasis to young adults and college majors that students often get caught up on choosing one that is guaranteed to secure them a high paying job following graduation. This often leads to students taking four years of classes in a desired field that they realize they hate when they do finally secure that job after they graduate.
3. (With #2 being said) Know that it’s possible to change your mind after graduation.
Although it can be very pricey, a majority of students go back to school for one to three years to earn a second degree. This is why it’s okay to be unsure what you want to do for work for the rest of your life. Majored in English? You can still go back for a Masters in Business Administration. Majored in Psychology? You can still go back for a JD in Law. Majored in Communications? You can still go back for a Masters in Education. Regardless of their major, many young adults make the decision to go back to school for a second degree in a variety of different subjects.
4. Networking is the most important thing you can do.
Whether you’re dead set on a major and career path or have no idea which road you want to take, networking is crucial to every college student. Whether you form connections with professors and faculty, through Greek life, or even with fellow classmates, networking is one of the most important things you can remember to do. More often than not, there will always be some type of alumni connection to an internship or job you’re looking at. Forming these relations while you’re still an undergraduate can work wonders for you in the future.
5. REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN.
You know what they say: college is the best four years of your life. Whether you think that statement is true or not, there are definitely some memories you’ll make over the four years of college that you won’t experience ever again. While it can be a stressful time, try to live in the moment with the friends you’ve made along the way. Meet new people, try new things and remember what a great time of your life you are currently living through.