Does anyone really know what they’re doing? Truth be told, I do not. In fact, I’m sure many of you do not.
There is such a thing as a plan or rough idea, but the reality is that many of us will stray away from these. It is not credited enough how difficult it is to comprehend and stick to a plan. The constant peer pressure and idealised “finalised plan” Is over-glamorized and unrealistic. I will be discussing how reality may differ and how it is okay to not know what you are doing.
Due to the way that having a “dream job” is emphasised within schools and society, it has become a pressure to have everything planned. This is why we believe that we need to know it all.
With the way social media has risen and these views have spread, it has become forgotten that teenagers are still learning, going through massive milestones (eg: college) and most importantly, are impressionable. Being told by our teachers that we need to get our act together and prioritise our futures can create an unhealthy mindset, possibly leading to teenagers feeling daunted by the future.
On the other hand, it can also seem as if the plans and careers we do dream of, are too far-fetched. Jobs within the media are often scrutinised and the first thing many people hear is about it not being a stable career. Although, this does not have to be true.
The way you manage in your field is what will determine how far you get. An example of this is how as a writer in this generation, social media has made it much easier for young journalists (such as myself) to get our writing online and to network, allowing us to begin early and develop our skills in the job we want.
Not being deterred from trying is what is critical, and arguably, what will give you the edge you need to get where you want to be. Even if that “where you want to be” is being able to get a hazy idea of what interests you and what you would like to pursue.
As previously mentioned, we often feel the need to follow the glamorised societal standard to have a clear comprehensive plan and stick to it. The main institution within society that we have developed this idea from is schools. As an A-Level student, part of the curriculum is to create a fully developed pathway plan- highlighting all aspects of the job we want and everything we are expected to know/ skills needed for the job.
However, what about us students who did not decide when we were young children that we wanted to be doctors when we grew up? Some of us do not have a planned career path, and instead of that being seen as a path of us still growing, it is shamed upon.
This idea of having a fully planned future is unrealistic. As teenagers we have no real experience yet, how are we expected to know exactly what we want and how we are going to get there? Often we meet people along the way who help us develop to a further point (i.e. a teacher who may inspire, a role model celebrity you discover, or a motivational speaker with ideas you have never heard before, yet now consider and are inspired by- all of these are small steps in the direction of figuring where you want to end up.
Most roads are not flat, they’re often bumpy. Your road to figuring out what you want may take many turns (different ideas and motivations arise) as you develop and gain new experiences. Just because your peers In class are planning their exact route to university and careers, does not mean you need to be at that stage if you are still building your road.
The Truth of Not Knowing
By not knowing, you have the greatest weapon; the chance to be adventurous. You should grasp the fact that you are not sure, and instead of letting it freeze you in one place, allow it to drive you further into a world of trying new things and taking all the opportunities you get. The only way to figure out what you like is to be optimistic.
Academically speaking, there are always new opportunities (apprenticeships, extra-curricular clubs). If you are particularly interested in a subject, do some research and see what you can find. Personally, I have an interest in sociology, so writing articles targeted at teens allows me to express my views and insights, while of course considering the societal themes and pop-culture trends to include. Taking your favorite subject a step further outside of school could lead you to find what you want to do in the future.
You Are Not Behind
However, I have spoken a lot about finding what you want, but you do not need to have a plan right now, everyone makes their milestones in different stages, some people take them earlier in life, others, later on. There is a reason that we have further education. It is never too late to pursue your dreams, even if you do not figure them out until years after you have left school.
You are not behind, you’re going at your own pace and there is nothing wrong with that. Speaking from personal experience, I finished my GCSE’s and took a year off of education to experience a little bit of a different routine before starting my A-Levels, and I do not feel behind. I am where I need to be right now and to conclude, I hope you allow yourself to be where you need to be. There is no rush to know everything and have your whole life planned.
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Jayda-Jules Warner, aka JJ, writes until she falls asleep at her keyboard. Writing stories, articles, and poetry are her passion. Not only are words her comfort; but she also loves video games and music!
