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I'm 21 And Don't Have My Whole Life Planned Out

...and that's OK.

Madison Jones

May 02, 2016

Wofford College

I'm 21 And Don't Have My Whole Life Planned Out

Dear College Kid,

This might sound a little familiar, right?

So yeah, I'm 21. Yes, I have a boyfriend, and no, we aren't getting married, moving in together, or having babies within the next two months. Yes, I'm going to be a teacher. No, I do not have any idea where. Yes, I want to coach soccer, and yeah, I have a final next week.

You may be feeling the same way I am, and that's OK.

I get asked so often what I planed to do with my life, and I honestly HAVE NOT EVEN DECIDED WHAT I'M EATING FOR LUNCH. So, no, I do not have my whole life planned out.

Now I know some 21 year olds know that they will take over daddy's company, be set for life, and probably already have their husband or wife picked out. I however, don't even know what my plans for the weekend are.

I do have an idea of what I want to do with my life, but I do not have it all planned out. Especially not at 21. I like to think I will have it together by graduation, but right now I am just trying to survive on chocolate and broccoli (because that's all I have left in my house).

So this is for all you people like me, it is OK to not know what your future holds. It is OK when that badgering aunt asks you every detail of every aspect of your life, to simply say, "I don't know" and give her a smile. It is OK to not have it all planned out.

I like to think I'll graduate, work, get married, do mission work, and have babies, but no I do not have it all planned out. And yes...this does drive me crazy because I am type A and like to plan everything.... usually. I carry my planner everywhere and always know what I have to do next on my list, but to be honest, thinking and trying to plan my future is a waste.

I have no idea what is in store for me tomorrow. Something could happen that changes my life forever.

So I say this to you, you 21-year-old college kid, it is more than OK to not have your life planned out. Read, go hiking, watch TV, play tennis, do something fun because tomorrow is not promised, and your future will never be mapped out perfectly.

Sincerely,

Another 21 Year Old Who Doesn't Have It Planned Out

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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I'm 21 And Don't Have My Whole Life Planned Out

...and that's OK.

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No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."

What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?

What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

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Because who understands your bitterness better than April?

1. When you have to provide an "interesting fact" for your first day ice-breaker.

2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

3. When you edit your friend's paper and they get an A.

4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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