It's so frustrating to have so many choices!

Hi there

I'm on the verge of pulling my own hair out in my attempts to make a final decision about my education. Currently I'm studying at a university in Denmark, but I'm seriously close to changing to a Bachelor in Social Education.

The thing is, I find a couple of courses interesting (mainly the current semesterproject) right now, but I think I want to change because I think I'm more passionate about the social education. Notice the "think" twice. It's so hard to make such a decision! What if I realize I didn't want that anyway? What if the dream I have with social education is unrealistic? What if I regret changing? I'd look like an idiot. Not to mention feel like one.

My current education is somewhat exciting, but I'm having a hard time seeing myself in that position in 5-10 years.. But I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. Aaaaghhh.. And what about finances? I'm positive I'll make a decent pay if I finish this one, but the other one would not give me as much...

My current education is called technoanthropology (has anyone ever heard of that anyway? ), and the goal for SE would be to work with young people who is coping with mental illnesses like depression or schizofrenia. God damnit that would be exciting.. I just don't know if social education would give me that opportunity.. Studying psychology would, but I'm nowhere near that grade average.

Has anyone else ever had to make a decision like this? How did you cope and decide?

Woah, I'm jabbering..

I changed my major when I was in my 3rd year at university (1970) got my degree in my new subject and then went back in 2001 and started studying to get another degree in my original subject (which I did in 2007). I'm now doing advanced schooling in my original subject still but it very neatly ties together both subjects.

You cannot ever know the future; what will happen, what you will enjoy, what you have learned that will be most useful even. If I had to do it all over again, I would pay more attention to what I wanted at the time and not try to second guess the future. My work life and schooling all played out wholly different than I "thought" but came out fine in the end. When I was 20 I did not have much education and no experience in the world; now I am over 60 and have both and great hindsight about how it all works together :-) I would follow what you want; whatever you do, I believe it will work out okay in the end.

From the handful grads that I know and from the advice of professors I've talked to... being involved in your academic passion is more important than the goal of a job. The former can lead to the latter. The people I know that volunteered or sought internships or got involved in clubs related to their field got good jobs. The people that just got a degree so they could get a job in something they are somewhat interested in are still making min wage. That doesn't mean that ALWAYS happens or that the latter is screwed forever, but what the former group did really helped them succeed in the working world.

If you are really passionate about something you should stick with it, because that passion will shine through and make you stand out among other applicants. It will also help you be tenacious in the tough times...

i'm from the us so i don't know how the universities work abroad. that said...

i'm currently pursuing a major in english because it's pretty much the only thing i'm good at (i can't do anything mathematical or scientific and i don't get history). i don't love my major, which makes it really hard to stay motivated. so i guess my situation is different than yours-- i'm jealous that you have two passions that you could feasibly pursue and be happy. right now, i'm focused on getting my diploma since that's been such a struggle already. i don't even know what i'd want to do with an english degree. i'd much rather be in your position where you have two things that you're super interested in.

my advice would be to remember that nothing is permanent. as hard and frustrating as it is, you can't predict the future (ugh that frustrates me every day) and you kind of have to trust that things will work out. if you end up graduating with a degree in something you don't like, you don't have to be stuck in that field forever. you can go back to school or pursue a masters in something else (again, not sure how the education system works in denmark so i'm sorry if my suggestions are completely off base). it's not necessarily a setback and it doesn't have to be a regret... if you pursue a degree that you realize you hate, you'll appreciate the other even more.