So, is it okay for me to not have any major plans for the future?

[Otherside]

So basically, I started college two weeks back, which basically, is a step up from doing nothing.

But I kept getting asked "what are your plans for the future" "what do you plan on doing after college" etc etc. Honestly? Getting sick of these questions. Why the heck do I have to have any plans?

Let me explain.

I'm amazed that I actually took on a two year course. I have gone from doing nothing. The last time I did something before that break, I was taken into hospital.

I will be even more amazed if I get through this year without having a million panic attacks that make the whole thing unbearable, or some other sort of mental breakdown. I keep watching it, keep panicking that each slight mood swing is gonna be a relapse...and I don't want that. I don't want to be in the state where I'm having episodes again and where I'm panicking having to deal with people.

I've already had one lovely panic attack. If rather not have another. I'd also rather not have any mood swings. I was given a script for seroquel to try and control that, but honestly, I'm too scared to take that.

So why is it so important I have bog plans for the future? Why can I not be intent at he moment with getting through this year panic attack/mood swing all under control?

(Also, there had better not be any spam on here. You will be eaten. (And it doesn't taste good.))

(AKA, no spammers. We are not falling for the trick where you put a legitimate looking post and then add a link to "HIRE A PSYCHIATRIST". Nice try though.)

[QuietCalamity]

What are you going to school for? Did I read correctly that it's a two year program?

I'm sort of not sure what *exactly* I will do once I get through grad school either. I actually think it's kind of silly to make those kinds of plans because I can't predict what kind of employment opportunities will come up when I'm ready. I just tell people I'm open-minded to the future and there are a lot of careers in my field where I would be happy. Then because they are probably just trying to get to know me I might list a few of them.

[Kaffee]

Goals come with time. Society has a rather materialistic bent - big house, fancy new gadgets, competitive workplace, etc - but you don't need to know what to do immediately.

[Otherside]

What are you going to school for? Did I read correctly that it's a two year program?

I'm sort of not sure what *exactly* I will do once I get through grad school either. I actually think it's kind of silly to make those kinds of plans because I can't predict what kind of employment opportunities will come up when I'm ready. I just tell people I'm open-minded to the future and there are a lot of careers in my field where I would be happy. Then because they are probably just trying to get to know me I might list a few of them.

Yeah, you've read it right, its a two year college course in computing.

[L]

Isn't studying a plan? Focus on now, worry about the future in second year

[Kaffee]

Yeah, you've read it right, its a two year college course in computing.

What type? If you run into things like VSLM subnetting and route summarization, I could probably help you a lot faster than the official course material.

[Misssy]

Yah it is okay for you to do anything you want with your life it's yours even if that means not doing anything. Sometimes major plans don't turn out the way we planned for them to.

I thought I would be some kind of famous artist and living in my own house. I work in a crap customer service job and own nothing... but you know this could be a reason to have a sound plan for the future.

Lots of the big important nice things in life are long term plans... but idk if you will be some kind of will recipient and you know you got money coming in then I guess no big deal.

meds are never as good as 100% they should just give us all happy drugs why even bother sometimes....

well it's up to you with the meds, you could talk to them some more about your concerns, maybe they can let you go on a really low dose or something

[Otherside]

What type? If you run into things like VSLM subnetting and route summarization, I could probably help you a lot faster than the official course material.

Haven't specialize yet, we do that in the second year, decide whether to go into software design, networking, fixing hardware, etc. We're learning a whole load of things related to computers at the moment.

Yah it is okay for you to do anything you want with your life it's yours even if that means not doing anything. Sometimes major plans don't turn out the way we planned for them to.

I thought I would be some kind of famous artist and living in my own house. I work in a crap customer service job and own nothing... but you know this could be a reason to have a sound plan for the future.

Lots of the big important nice things in life are long term plans... but idk if you will be some kind of will recipient and you know you got money coming in then I guess no big deal.

meds are never as good as 100% they should just give us all happy drugs why even bother sometimes....

well it's up to you with the meds, you could talk to them some more about your concerns, maybe they can let you go on a really low dose or something

And that's the problem, in bold. Guess I'm scared to make any plans because the ones I have haven't really worked out (including those silly plans that I had when I was five that involved becomming Queen of England and all ). I know I've got to do something, I just don't know what. And I'm sick of being told "plan what you want to do in three years time. Five years time. Ten years time." Etc etc etc.

I know, I need to talk with them about my meds. My psych is off until October though.

[Chantellabella]

Are the people asking you these things parents who are paying for your education? If so, the reason they ask is because they are paying for it.

If others are asking, then politely tell them that "you're working on figuring it out." If they are not giving you money to go to school, then it's none of their business what you're doing.

Or you could tell them that you're studying to be a grave digger. That might shut them up.

[Otherside]

Are the people asking you these things parents who are paying for your education? If so, the reason they ask is because they are paying for it.

If others are asking, then politely tell them that "you're working on figuring it out." If they are not giving you money to go to school, then it's none of their business what you're doing.

Or you could tell them that you're studying to be a grave digger. That might shut them up.

No, it's not my parents, everything is being paid by me, and my parents are well aware of why I don't have any plans and are fine with them. It's tutors at college, and a common topic of discussion that comes up in these tutorial things (which basically just seems to be "study skills" "here's why you should get the highest marks possible").

I guess the grave digger remark would work though.

[sanspants]

No, it's not my parents, everything is being paid by me, and my parents are well aware of why I don't have any plans and are fine with them. It's tutors at college, and a common topic of discussion that comes up in these tutorial things (which basically just seems to be "study skills" "here's why you should get the highest marks possible").

I guess the grave digger remark would work though.

I used "door-to-door disco-ball repairmen and rubber-chicken salesman." But grave-digging is a civil engineer kind of thing. Definitely requires a degree

I've been in my field for 13 years and have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Should worst come to worst, aim for a field with a work description that doesn't sound like it would drive you crazy. That's basically my work description in a nutshell. It pays the bills. I don't think we all need to aim for the stars, all the time. Tutors and those in academia will probably always push you to make your career priority #1 in your life, but it's best to consider their point of view. There are a lot of ways to excel in life that have nothing to do with your job, IMHO.

[merc]

I used "door-to-door disco-ball repairmen and rubber-chicken salesman." But grave-digging is a civil engineer kind of thing. Definitely requires a degree

I've been in my field for 13 years and have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Should worst come to worst, aim for a field with a work description that doesn't sound like it would drive you crazy. That's basically my work description in a nutshell. It pays the bills. I don't think we all need to aim for the stars, all the time. Tutors and those in academia will probably always push you to make your career priority #1 in your life, but it's best to consider their point of view. There are a lot of ways to excel in life that have nothing to do with your job, IMHO.

Thank you for posting this point of view. I keep trying to find something I like to do while I hang underwear from pegs at Target. I have mostly found a few jobs that I don't want to do. I think if I had to sit at a computer screen all day and chitchat with people I call up would just kill me. I may need to get some education and training but I keep working about the expense and having another failure under my belt. My problems with social anxiety and self esteem seem to do me in a whole lot.

[Skippy]

Are the people asking you these things parents who are paying for your education? If so, the reason they ask is because they are paying for it.

If others are asking, then politely tell them that "you're working on figuring it out." If they are not giving you money to go to school, then it's none of their business what you're doing.

Or you could tell them that you're studying to be a grave digger. That might shut them up.

LOL Grave digger, whoohooooo! There we go!

I've had this whhhheird problem with people demanding they know stuff like this and acting like my total worth revolves around my answer to it. I guess that's Alberta for ya.....shit place, wish I didn't have to stay there...
I wanna be a musician tho n' people give me funny looks over that as if such things aint possible, but it's what I was made to do; can't really do anything else....it's what I'm goin for!

Otherside, I wish you looots of luck n' good things in yer school stuff!

[Misssy]

could be some people ask these questions for lack of better conversation topics, just say you plan to be a business analyst but also add that you will work in whatever field is offering you the highest pay...and beyond that explain that you still have a lot of work to do before you get there.... and let it go ...

if it is school people who are asking you it is because in school there are a lot of pre-reqs and a lot of planning really to make it all come together towards a degree

congratulations and take advantage of the educational opportunities when they come and devise a stupid script to recite to people when you have to

"city planner"
"plant manager"
"electrician"
MBA
Computer engineer of some sort ... focus undeclared etc. ....... la la la la jingle bells all the way