[MickeyCheeky]

I have no idea of what should I do once I'm done with school.. what should I do? Should I go to the university? And what should I study? Can I even afford it?
Or maybe find a job? Which job? I'm not capable of doing any job, really.. so what do I do?

I'm really angry with myself.. why do I have to be so weak and stupid?

[Skeezyks]

[Talthybius]

There is no need to be angry at yourself. It is normal to be insecure and uncertain about your life's path.

All you need to do is do something about it. Getting an advanced education is really recommended for obvious reason. The way society is arranged now, people without an advanced degree risk being left behind.

Also, it can be a lot of fun learning complex and interesting things.

It is Christmas now, so maybe some time to relax. But if you feel the way you feel, take action. Don't just sit around and worry. As for your options, you give too little info for others to advice you.

[MickeyCheeky]

But what action should I take, exactly? I don't know what to do..

What info do you need? I'm 18 and I live in Italy, if that can help..

[heyitskenzie]

I think you shouldn't be angry at yourself, what would you like to do?

I say if you can't find a job, go to a University (do they help with this in Italy like jobs at the University or other financial help?) or what about military service? Perhaps you can't get a job because of the town you live in so you need to find some $ somehow so you can move to a town with more jobs? I have heard that unemployment is high in Italy (even worse than the USA and many young people cannot find jobs here either). You are probably going to have to be flexible. Take anything (if you can find something) then save some money from it so that you will have some capital saved so that when you know what you want to do, you can fund the "dream".

[Talthybius]

Without knowing anything about you, I would advice any 18 year old to get an advanced degree. Without getting into the economic situation of Italy, which I know something about but even more I know there is a lot I do not know, you are inside the EU and can move freely. Not far away from you people are risking their lives and literally drowning by the thousands just to be able to clean toilets. When you are depressed, this idea doesn't help. But it is something to try to be aware of anyway.

You say you are not capable to do any job. I do not know if that is true, and I do not know what exactly you mean with this. Does this mean you cannot clean toilets or pick fruits from plantations, like many immigrant workers?

I don't know if you have a physical handicap, lack of motivation, difficult situation at home, no financial resources, mental illness, whatnot. But you are 18 in the biggest free market in the world. Yes, Italy's economy hasn't grown ever since it entered the EU. But other EU economies have. And so far, Italy hasn't collapsed yet, even under Berlusconi. And if it does, you can get out.

I would look at getting a technical degree, so either science or engineering. Or a technical degree in business or economics. Or a law degree in specific fields that are unpopular with students, and popular with employers (I think usual fiscal/tax law degrees),

You have to find something where your talent, your interests and job opportunities come together. This is hard. But you didn't phrase your question in a way that you are aware that this is your challenge, and that you are struggling at it.

Just remember that society is changing. The world has been globalized, causing big economic growth but leaving behind lower educated and rural/traditional areas. They are now 'rebelling'. But it soon will get worse. Technology will be replacing jobs more and more and at some point, getting near full employment will be fundamentally impossible. It is good that we won't have to work as much, while the economy is getting more productive. But there is no solution as to how these people without jobs, people that are not needed, will get money. So as an 18 year old, your biggest aim should be that you will never be one of those people that enters a workforce that will be completely replaced by algorithms/robots, leaving you in a position where you have exactly 0 to offer the economy.

Of course that doesn't mean you will be leading a satisfied happy life, but it should be a start.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm no good at science/maths or any similar subjects.. I'm already studying IT and I suck at it And I don't even like it anyway..

I have no idea what carrer could I pick, since I don't know what my talent is and what my interests are. And I don't even know if I can make a career out of it - whatever it is. I've only though about doing an art school - but I'm really not sure about it.

[Talthybius]

Well, one way to figure it out is to think about it. But obviously, that usually doesn't work. The other way is to try out things.

You can not know what to do with your life because you don't have full information about what all the possible paths are, and what they offer. Then you just need to learn more about more subjects.
But even if you know everything, it may be that you don't know enough about yourself to make a decision. I guess the latter one is the hard one.

I don't know how students loans work in Italy. It may be better in some cases to not spend your limited student loans studying a subject you are very unsure about.

Some people say traveling works to find out what you want. I am not so sure about that.

The idea of taking a year off, I always suspect that doesn't work very well for many people. You should only do that if you are the type of person that is already very outgoing, active, engaged, social, I feel.

When people are really drifting, after having failed one or two studies, some people say; "Go work that job you will end up having to work without a degree and see after a few months if you can phantom working that job for the next 25 years."

For some people, motivation only kicks in out of fear.

Also, at age 18 you can't be sure you are bad at something.

As for getting an arts degree, I think this is the best advice:

[MickeyCheeky]

So what should I do, then?

[Talthybius]

No one will tell you how to live your life.

I suggest you try talking to other people in your life about it. Ask a friend. Ask a parent.
Talk with a study advisor/counselor. Buy career advice/tests. Inquire with professionals in certain fields. Ask current students.

You being anxious about these decisions may also be a good sign. I myself suspect many people live on autopilot or make the decision the people around them expect from them. Then get into some midlife crisis down the road.

Then again, it took me until age 29 to make a decision myself, become motivated, and do it.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'll try, I guess.. I've already asked to my parents, though, but they don't know either (obviosuly).

I have a bad feeling about my life