So I just entered my senior year in high school. To give you a synopsis about myself, I’ve taken at least 4 honors or AP courses each year. This past year, I took 2 honors and 3 AP courses. This year, I’m taking 5 AP courses. I’ve loaded up my schedule because I have always been encouraged to overachieve, which has really stressed me out, but has paid off. I’m currently 4th in my class of 400 and have a 3.9 unweighted GPA.
Freshman year, I struggled with biology, but by the end of the course, I really developed a passion for environmental issues because the teacher expressed such a passion for the subject. I struggled with chemistry, but earned an A. I also had a hard time with physics, but received a B+.
My father, who works as a splicer for a major electric company, has always pressured me to go into engineering because I’ve shown an aptitude in math and science; however, I don’t think engineering would make me happy because math has always stressed me out (except Geometry), and physics completely went over my head.
I can’t honestly say that I enjoy most of my classes in school because I’ve always been pressured by guidance, the school administration, and my peers, to load up my schedule with higher level core classes instead of exploring electives such as business and communication.
I want to have a good quality life without anxiety. Every year, the first month of school gives me a great deal of anxiety because I feel that I just don’t know enough to succeed in my core classes (though I usually end up doing just find because I work hard at it). I don’t want college to feel like that – I don’t want to continuously feel the pressure of having to be the best at everything.
I’ve always been very involved in after school activities because I love socializing and managing projects. For me, after school activities help relieve my stress and keep me motivated. I currently serve as president of the school’s student council, president of the school’s environmental club, vice president and lead AVA specialist of the school’s drama club, and vice president of the national honor society. In addition, I run a mobile DJ business and web development business on the side. I really would like to get into a management position in a business down the line, but people always tell me that majoring in business, accounting, finance, economics, and similar majors that are associated with the liberal arts of undergraduate business programs are useless unless you attend an Ivy League school with a great reputation and connections in the work place.
Basically, I need some help choosing a career path. I’ve been juggling arround majors: bioenvironmental engineering, environmental science, applied economics, pharmacy, and now considering accounting. I’d like to live comfortably, as would anyone. I like working with people. I’d like to make six figures somewhere down the line and am willing to work for it. I would like the opportunity to make a difference – to feel that my work is rewarding. I love doing community service, I love to lead, and I love to have a good laugh. I don’t want my parents, family, friends, or teachers to be disappointed in me because they often say how I have a great deal of potential.
Basically, I need some help. Please share your experiences with me.
