I’m 24, just graduated from a pretty good university with a lackluster 3.0 GPA in History because I slacked on some classes, and now have a degree that I’m struggling to prove to anyone means something.
My whole life I’ve heard the same sentence, “you’re so smart, if only you applied yourself” and when I do, I can accomplish great things and feel like I’ve done better at that thing than most would do.
The problem is I’ve had such a revolving door of interests and career path ideas that I’m stuck trying to pick a direction. I barely even picked a college major and can’t stick with most hobbies for long (ADD) and I feel like it’s causing me to stagnate and become paralyzed now that the next thing isn’t just another level of school.
I’m an outgoing people person, critical-thinking, big idea, problem solver, and I know that I’m capable of high achievement and success if I put my mind to it, but I just don’t know what I even want to do. Even applying to positions that I think are a step in a direction of what I think I’d like to do, I’m not getting responses and it’s making it even harder. Would love to hear any advice you can offer 🙂
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That’s the fun part. You don’t.
What has helped me (similar situation) are two things. First and foremost is that you have to realize you are 24. Still young. You have experience to gain yet. Stop panicking about being directionless at your age. You aren’t old yet. There is time. That doesn’t mean you can just stagnate, but you have time, and you also have nothing to prove to anybody.
Secondly, what helped me out was having a REASON for doing something. My reason couldn’t be myself. I have ADHD, and I can’t accomplish anything if the reason is just “doing it for myself” unless it’s a more enjoyable activity. Maybe you have a Significant Other you wish to support, or do nice things for, maybe a kid. Maybe you have a goal and earning money/reputation is what gets you there. Whatever it is, use that desire to your advantage.
your best move right now is to develop a debilitating drug addiction that you spend rest of your 20s overcoming. you’ll feel accomplished at 30 being right here where you are now.
in all seriousness though, that skillset lends itself to teaching high school. history is a tough thing to do something with unless you have a PhD (which is an option). It’s a tough time (in America) to get into this field but the pay is pretty ok depending on where you live and the summers off are a great time to explore and indulge your varying hobbies.
Teenagers are a good group to teach and guiding young people is a really good way to give life meaning that isn’t wrapped up in generating profit for others.