Many students are more than familiar with the pressures of having to know and decide their future career, or major in college. Going into junior year, students are bombarded with questions from distant relatives and family friends about their future plans. The pressure to decide can be overwhelming. However, knowing what one wants to do for the rest of one’s life right now is not necessary. As Senior Kate Lindley remarked, “You have to start figuring it out at some point, but I don't think anyone really knows what they want to do exactly at this point.” 

Like Lindley said, although having a path is important, students do not need to know their exact course at this point. Knowing your interests can help highlight certain colleges recognized for specific fields, but this knowledge is not vital for the college application process. In fact, many colleges offer an undecided major when applying. Some schools like Brown University and New York University do not even allow students to declare their major on the Common Application. According to BestColleges, 20-50% of students declare themselves undecided when applying, and Collegevine details that 80% of students change their major during their college career.  

These statstics make sense, as students are too young to be deciding their future career so early on in their life. Lindley shares that she was getting questions on colleges and careers as early as 6th grade. Senior Leah Winder adds, “We are young and shouldn’t have to figure out our lives at 16.” One senior share the experience of meeting with her counselor at the end of freshman year to decide on sophomore classes. She recalled him asking her what she wanted to do with her life. He was visibly shocked when she responded honestly, “I’m not sure,” and questioned further on the topic. Students have a limited perspective on the world and what it has to offer at this early point in their lives, and many use college as a place to explore new opportunities. Limiting students to the career they decide in high school may pressure them into a career they do not enjoy which can hinder their self-discovery. 

However, that is not to say that having some idea of a subject or even a decided career path is not beneficial for your future. Knowing this information can sometimes simplify the overwhelming college process. Many supplemental essays can focus on career choices, as well as interests, so having some of that information figured out can be useful. Nonetheless, knowing the exact path to take in life right now is not necessary to succeed in college or life. 

Information retrieved from BestColleges and the University of Tulsa.