Universikillme

    Every time someone asks me what I want to major in, in college, my eyes automatically roll into the back of my head and down the street. Then I reply with some basic, rehearsed answer of "business" or "writing" when honestly, I have not the slightest clue what I want to do and I'm sort of running out of time. 

This one is for all of you who want to drop-kick the next person who asks you about university; I feel your pain.

  With all of the college letters, pamphlets, SAT tests and the new "Guide to the Best Colleges", 3-foot-thick book my mother moseyd on down to Barnes and Nobles and decided to gift me with today, being shoved down my throat, I can easily say, any talk of college feels like a fat lady siting on my chest; it's suffocating me. The fact that the world expects me... expects us, to figure out what we want to do with the rest of our lives at such a young age, when we can barely decide what we want for lunch sometimes, is absolutely ridiculous. I have only one college in mind and it's annual tuition is about the same price as a down payment on a house. We're so young and so unexposed to the world; even the most experienced of us have still yet to have found ourselves which then leads to constant changing of majors, prolonged time to attain your degree and a crap load of loans to pay off.

   Here are a few tips for when it comes to picking your major and dealing with the stress of "college talk":

- Do what you love. 

Remember, this is what you are going to be doing for the rest of your life so make sure it makes you happy. You only have one life to live and I'm sure you don't want to spend it waking up every morning, dreading another day. When pursuing a career where you're doing what you love, you are never truly working.

- Decipher between your passions and your hobbies.

This is crucial, there are many things we are good at but we need to be able to spot out the main things we are great at and develop them into something extraordinary. 

- Don't let other peoples discouragement dictate your career path.

I personally, am a very artsy person, I play piano, guitar, I write, draw, sing, compose etc. There is the stereotype that few artists ever make it and it's a waste of a major,  but I won't let it stop me. Someone has to do the job, right? So with a little hard work, that someone will be me; that someone will be you. If you do what you love, you'll work hard at it and meet nothing but success along the way.

- Go after your dreams but be rational.

Yes, you may have a love for music but if every time you open your mouth to sing, a sound that resembles that of a dying cat emerges, your occupation should not be to be the next Beyonce. Instead try doing something behind the scenes like directing, producing or composing. Apply this theory to whatever it is you would like to major in, music was just an example. 

- Visit potential colleges. 

Ask lots of questions, peruse around, explore the area, watch the people and how they interact. Leave with a good feel of the atmosphere in which you may be spending the next few years. 

- Let people know when they're coming on too strong.

It gets really overwhelming when people are constantly asking you about your future. Keep conversations short and sweet and if they persist to ask questions, politely change the topic to something less stressful.

- Take a mental vacation.

Make sure you give yourself some time to rest, not think or worry about anything and simply let your mind relax. A clear mind is a happy mind and makes more room for you to plan your way to success.

     Often times I find myself getting caught up in in future as weird as it sounds. It's a bad habit and doesn't really do much but add stress; that's when I take a breath and remind myself that everything is in God's hands and nobody has better plans for me than him. Everything is taken care of, I just need to let him do his work and carry out his plan instead of trying to figure it out myself.   Don't worry too much, all that is, is added burdens. Work hard and do what you love and I promise you, it'll all be absolutely fabulous.

Cheers to the successful future.

~ Nathia