Freaking over future

Question

I don't know what I want to do with my life, and I'm kind of freaking out. I'm starting college in a month as a freshman. I know I want to double major in English and philosophy, but I don't know what I want to do career-wise.

I was thinking of becoming a teacher, but then I don't know if I want to be elementary, an English teacher in middle or high school or college, or a philosophy teacher in college.

I'm interested in law school because I look to find contradictions in thought, and I like to look at the multiple possibilities on an issue. I also like to write, and I heard that writing is a key asset in this field.

I'm also interested in med school, particularly neurology or psychiatry because I'm interested in how the brain works and how and why our mind perceives the world in the way it does.

Yet I find pros and cons in all of these; at the same time, I'm interested in all of these fields.

For instance, I heard that teachers are underpaid, and it can be dull teaching the same thing each year. I also don't if it will be as mind stimulating as it can be in other fields. I like having my own classroom like elementary does, but the subject matter might not be challenging for me.

For law school, I heard some parts of law are really dull, and after 3 years of law school some lawyers only make as much as someone with a bachelor's degree. I don't get the logic behind that.

For med school, I'm not exactly interested in all fields that I may have to do rotations in. I heard there's malpractice issues and hectic schedules. I don't know if I'm up for being around people who are, for the most part, sick. If I do psychiatry, I don't know if I can deal with certain kinds of patients, given that I've dealt with things that may be considered "illnesses" that I don't think are at all. So my beliefs may contradict.

Any advice? What do you think I'm best suited for with this information?

Answer 1

of course theirs pros and cons. Life is never perfect. Um u should be 18 right now your suppose to make dicisions like this. U cant rely on people.  We are not u.  

Answer 2

You are over thinking everything!

You have enough to think about for today, tomorrow never comes and when each new day arrives new problems will be there for you to take care of.

Worry of the future is a restless pain and it adds nothing to your life. There are enough troubles in this day darlin, let the tomorrows take care of themselves.

Answer 3

Every job has its bad points. You can't let those bad points scare you. Also, you are only a freshman. You have plenty of time to decide this stuff. Right now focus on what you have chosen to study. As time goes by, things will fall into place and the decision may make itself. Now, go out and enjoy college.

Answer 4

sit down and relax, try a few different things, your future will find you.  

Answer 5

Law and med school are very long and expensive, and some students bull their way through them only to find out that they don't want to practice at all.  So it's probably a good idea not to enter one of those unless you are SURE you want to pursue it.  And it's worth mentioning that they tend to prefer students with another degree anyway... and philosophy is a popular choice for either.

The same is true for teaching, but to a lesser degree.  Anyone who knows their subject might at least tutor someone in it with no special degree required at all.  Professors in universities often have a doctorate in their subject and no actual teaching degree to speak of.  It is generally only other schools and institutions that require a teaching degree.

Part of the college experience is also to find out what you like.  So don't feel like you have to put yourself on a path and stick to it forever.  Life doesn't really work that way.  Many students change their major several times in college, and many graduates go back and learn something else.  I would recommend that you find a subject that truly interests you and dabble in much of the rest.  It may be after that first degree you are swept off into some job you never anticipated.  Or maybe by then you'll have a better idea if you just want to use it as a stepping-stone into something else.

Relax!  Have fun!  Peace.