Talking Of The Future

[Lady of Longbourn]

My husband has recently started bothering me about declaring what my college major is going to be... choosing my major doesn't really worry me but it seems to worry my husband for some reason and that worry is effecting me.

He keeps asking and I keep thinking about how this is my first ever healthy semester of college, shouldn't that be enough for now? Can't I just do my general education credits? But when I ask him what he thinks I should look into he launches into some really practical career paths (based on availability of jobs, money and skill. Nothing wrong with that but...) that I would have never thought of or heard of in my life which ended with me saying that he is too Indian and him saying that I am being racist all in the patio of a Starbucks. Then we both came to the conclusion that I should talk with my therapist about it but I am pretty sure I know what my therapist will say....he will agree with me and that will upset my husband who seems to think I need to plan out my life.

But then he keeps going...he is taking it into future job, future career etc. 'What do you want to do?" 'What job do you want?" and even though I am in school and I love it, I still can't see myself working one day. I still can't see me being able to be healthy enough to work.

The Future! It looks like I actually have one.

 

[desiderata310]

The funny thing is most people wind up changing their major at least two times. :-D

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I thought of doing the "practical" thing but I knew that it would feel like death to me. I mean going into a field just because there is a demand for it? It's hard enough dealing with this damn disorder. I don't need a job I hate adding to my reasons to be non-functional! Right now I'm studying what I love and while I know it's not the easiest or most high paying area to get into, I don't care because I love it.

Do what you love. Don't get pressured into doing something just because it's practical.....because when you think about it, what's "practical" about doing something you hate for 40 hours a week?

For now, live in the moment. You don't need to declare. If you're taking the summer off and not worried about classes filling up, you can take 5 more months to just think about the fall semester classes. I usually end up registering at the last minute----I sort of have to due to fee deadlines and such.

 

[somuchpain]

Wish I could respond, have tried, but is nearly impossible with this ancient android phone. May try again when again have hours to send single response. Why it allows me to send this response is a mystery to me.////
Been there done that; it's offensive to the graduate how most employers don't care what your actual degree is or the extent of effort you may havre invested in it. I thought that graduating top of my class from a top 10 school would have meaning, only to find that in view of the present political reality of the day, such was meaningless. My point being that you should follow your heart and disregard the common belief that your specific degree will matter as much as the politics of the day.

 

[therisa]

@Ayesha take this first year, to explore your wants and needs, before committing to any program. You may find that a particular program isn't suited to you, for various reasons. Too many people find themselves, with a degree, they regret taking, because they were pressured to take, by love ones. Go ahead and plan your future courses, but know it's fluid and can be changed at any moment, should you feel the need to do so. Good luck, Ayesha.

 

[Eleanor]

My undergrad institution didn't (doesn't so far as I know) allow students to declare a major until their sophomore year. College is not trade school (at least not always.) I have been in higher ed for more than 20 years, and I say... poke around. Don't declare until next year. It won't be clear what is practical until you know more. What your undergrad major is not really that important. (references upon request.) Once you have a year or a year and a half under your belt you could ask yourself this: "What do I do, no matter what I am doing?" and then "How do I get paid for doing that?" When I did this my answer was: "philosophy" (even in calculus class if you can believe it!) and "teach philosophy" which was a long shot, but has turned out well.

On the other hand it is not bad to have a general direction. And your husband may be projecting some regrets/wishes for himself on you. People do that a lot to people in college.

 

[Barconian]

He keeps asking and I keep thinking about how this is my first ever healthy semester of college, shouldn't that be enough for now?

He is being gentle :) We all need to be pushed sometimes even for our own good.