Now is the time for some serious soul searching...

[Fleurette]

Hi guys, Fleurette here.

I have just recently graduated, as hundreds of thousands of students do every year.
I'm glad, I came out of High school with decent grades!
But.. Lately I've been really depressed about the whole issue.
Now that I'm out of school, I've come to a sudden realization: I have no direction in life.

I see my friends, the very same friends that graduated alongside me, pursuing their dreams.
I have friends travelling to Toronto to attend university.
I have friends who are studying apprenticeships so that they can start a career.
I have friends who are travelling OVERSEAS!!

I'm not doing any of these amazing things...
I'm not going on any beautiful adventures, and awe-inspiring trips.
I'm just sitting at home, and sleeping in far too often...
I know this may seem silly, But I suppose I'm afraid.
What do I want to do in my life? I don't know..

Perhaps I'm just underestimating myself, but I certainly don't feel like a special human being, especially after seeing all of the amazing things that the people around me are accomplishing.
So I suppose what I'm really asking is this: Did any of you, my friends in the furry fandom, experience problems, or depression on the subject of graduation? Did you have the same feelings that I do? Or are you in the same position that I am?
I really need some advice, and as the title suggests, I need to do some definite soul searching.

Thanks guys. ^^

[Renwaldo]

Don't wait around too long, or you'll end up like me. It's not a fun state of being.

You're young though! You still have time not to screw this up! D;
You are pretty and you have decent grades - you're already miles ahead of myself!

[Gizmo]

I beleive the problem is with our education system: expectations are put on students that ALL students mature and develop at the same rate - so at graduation, all students should be prepared to make life long decisions.
I wasn't ready to make life long decisions at graduation. I took some time to make those types of decisions. The last time I went BACK to school was in my 30's! It's never too late to change your life decisions as well. I have spent 7 years total in college / university. Who knows that if at the age of 50 or 60, I don't change my mind again and go back for more? It's not out of the question to take a few part time courses in school to help guide your decisions. find interests in a college or university that offers interesting subjects.
China and Australia 'should' still be there when you turn 30. My opinion: you will appreciate these desitnations much more at 30, than you will at 18. Some people will be at a point in their lives to appreciate the eduation or travel they are doing at 18. Some not. Your initial decisions may not be your final decisions - but remember: YOUR ONLY 18!!! Life is by no means part way over for you. You can continue to 'tweek' your life decisions as you continue on your path. Don't get down on yourself. Finding your way in life can be challenging. Surround yourself with the people you WANT in your life. You will soon find that you are finding your way. It will happen.
Hope that helps ....

[Silvermink]

I ended up just choosing a direction and going with it, which is how I ended up in IT. I have a decent-paying job with a good company, and even if it's not necessarily my greatest passion (though I do like coding) it still gives me the means to pursue other things I like to do.

Sometimes I think I would've been better off taking something else in school, but second-guessing is way too easy, and I could've taken something else and ended up underemployed and thinking, "man, if only I had gone into IT".

So, yeah. Sometimes you just have to pick something. I think people do a lot of maturing between 20 and 30, and you don't necessarily have to set the course for the rest of your life right now. I think the people who know for sure exactly what they want to do are in the minority, but it's a strong narrative in our society that everyone has some particular purpose and you just need to find it.

[Fleurette]

I beleive the problem is with our education system: expectations are put on students that ALL students mature and develop at the same rate - so at graduation, all students should be prepared to make life long decisions.
I wasn't ready to make life long decisions at graduation. I took some time to make those types of decisions. The last time I went BACK to school was in my 30's! It's never too late to change your life decisions as well. I have spent 7 years total in college / university. Who knows that if at the age of 50 or 60, I don't change my mind again and go back for more? It's not out of the question to take a few part time courses in school to help guide your decisions. find interests in a college or university that offers interesting subjects.
China and Australia 'should' still be there when you turn 30. My opinion: you will appreciate these desitnations much more at 30, than you will at 18. Some people will be at a point in their lives to appreciate the eduation or travel they are doing at 18. Some not. Your initial decisions may not be your final decisions - but remember: YOUR ONLY 18!!! Life is by no means part way over for you. You can continue to 'tweek' your life decisions as you continue on your path. Don't get down on yourself. Finding your way in life can be challenging. Surround yourself with the people you WANT in your life. You will soon find that you are finding your way. It will happen.
Hope that helps ....

Wow, that did.
I suppose you're right..
I can agree with you about the school system, they certainly expected us all to get up and go.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who felt this way..
Thank you. ^^

[tokar]

some people come out of high school and go straight into a job and stay there for thirty years and retire somewhat happy.  others change their careers two or three times and think they have lived a great life.  then there are others that will take many different career paths.  these people will experience more with what they do in their lives and feel they lived a more well rounded life than those that achieve so called success and only think they have lived.

it may take a year or two, maybe more but one day you will come across that job you love.  until then go out and experience life.  live it to the fullest.  have fun.

[Neox]

I'm with Silvermink and Gizmo on this topic.  You don't need to have a set path in life to do well; all you need is to WANT to do well.  Any job you're at, try to be the best at it, be helpful, and never ever pass-down the opportunity to learn and improve.  If you show initiative and intuition, employers will notice (eventually), and opportunities will open up for you.  You just need to be patient and work hard, no matter how shitty you think your job is.  You'll eventually find something you love to do and you'll get good at doing it.

[Fleurette]

I'm with Silvermink and Gizmo on this topic.  You don't need to have a set path in life to do well; all you need is to WANT to do well.  Any job you're at, try to be the best at it, be helpful, and never ever pass-down the opportunity to learn and improve.  If you show initiative and intuition, employers will notice (eventually), and opportunities will open up for you.  You just need to be patient and work hard, no matter how shitty you think your job is.  You'll eventually find something you love to do and you'll get good at doing it.

I really hope you're right. :3
I appreciate all of the positive feedback, thanks for making me feel like I'm not a total idiot or anything...
Ahaha, You guys are an amazing bunch.

[Fuzzum]

Ya thats all good realy good stuff what they said, ya it dont help that friends move away but just go with the flow for now and look at stuff and get your mind thinking about stuff you want to do, but just have fun makes some freinds and dont be scared it will all be all be ok in the end it will work itself out.