Advice...please

I say this as the mother of a teenager, and four more in the pipeline....honey, just commit to something! Get started on your life. If you want to work in a research lab, then pursue that. Get started on those life sciences and learn more about research science, what you need to take, the kind of summer jobs and internships you should look for....

Or, maybe you aren't one of those people who is cut out for college. Get an entry level job somewhere and start working your way up.

But do SOMETHING. Your parents may say they are disappointed, and they probably are, but the real thing that is going on for them is FEAR. They worry that you will not be able to make your own way, support yourself, build a life, be successful....all those things we parents want for our kids. So start. Just start. However you do it, whatever that means. But pick something and do it.

Good luck!

Also, if you are that shy, you may want consider a career other than healthcare. You will have to deal with new people EVERY single time you work. You may want to consider a career in engineering or computer sciences or something along those lines where you do not have to work with as many different people on a daily basis.

Good luck!

I personally took about two years after high school before I bothered going to college (granted, I graduated early). I personally was just not in a place in my life to "commit" to anything. I was going through a "wild child" phase that I needed to get out of my system before I could be successful. I knew that going to college at that time was pointless, as I knew I would not have the motivation that I needed and would probably just end up damaging my GPA by not putting my all into it. I went back when it felt right, and I'm glad I waited as long as I did. Only you can say for sure what is right for your life, but I would encourage you to sit down and really evaluate your reasons for why you want to wait. Is it because you feel like you're not at a point in your life where you can put in the effort it requires, or is it just because you're feeling "shy" and nervous? This will help you determine if you have a valid reason for wanting to wait or if you're just selling yourself short and need to push forward.

Good luck to you!

Getting experience in the medical field is the best thing you can do. I was super shy before I got a hang of the EMT position. Every time I went on a call I became a little more out spoken. Lets face it there are no shy EMTS :). I think confidence helped me become more talketive and not as intimidated of people. Believe me there are some very egostatistical people in the medical field. I feel like I am more prepared on how to deal with those individuals now.

I think it's important for you to do SOMETHING. Even if you decide later that it's not the right path for you, you'll at least have a means to make a change. As for your shyness, don't let it deter you. I have suffered social anxiety disorder all my life, but I graduated nursing school in June and passed the NCLEX this weekend. Nursing school will teach you how to interact with patients (e.g., therapeutic communication techniques). Your mind will adapt to meeting new people on a daily basis. It's certainly uncomfortable in the beginning, but you'll survive. And, if you have a passion for the field, you'll thrive.

why was the enviroment horrible at the university?

Do you want to be a nurse? If you don't, do something else. You said that you want to work at a hospital so you need to work towards getting past shyness Everyone is a scared when they start anything new.. If needed, FAKE braveness... that is being brave in itself..and eventually it will get easier. Realize that people who don't like you, really don't matter. Realize that you are worth it... :)

High school is very different from college. College is really about you and about advancing towards what you want to be. Its hard work but you are capable of it, especially when you REALLY want your goal. Passion is the key. Don't let other dictate what you want to be. Your parents will be proud of you if you work hard. Even if they are not, you will be proud of yourself and so many others will end up proud of you.

There is great logic in choosing something and sticking with it. But, there's common sense in quitting if you hate every moment of the path you've just started. But, it doesn't sound like you hate your major or your school, you're just questioning what the future may bring with this major. So, don't quit. But, do take electives and expose yourself to other subjects. Most students don't remain with the major they chose as freshmen; this is one of the many reasons universities require students to take electives and classes outside their major. The trend now is that workers change careers multiple times in their lives, so don't put pressure on yourself to find your life's work at age 19. Just find something you like.

Thank you for all your wonderful replies!

@DanaNP, You are right, I am worried about my future. If I pursue life science degree, the only career I would have is to work in a research lab unless I go for medical school, which I am not really committed to it. I keep questioning myself, what if I don't like it? Do I have to go back for another 4 years? At least as a nurse, if I don't like research I could always go into a different specialty.

My parents just don't understand and I am disappointed in myself for making careless decisions.

I have read all the comments on your post and as a parent myself I know I just want to see my kids doing SOMETHING. My experience has taught me that the only thing more scary than moving forward is sitting still. I took some time off before college (after graduation high school early) and one year became two..two became three...I went back to school sporadically off and on but it was not as easy as it would have been had I just gone and done it when I had no real committments or responsibilities in life other than myself. I have one daughter who will be starting her nursing clinicals in the Fall and another daughter who is just starting to college with no real idea of what she wants to do. She is just taking her core courses that will apply basically to any degree she chooses until she can do some research and find out what she feels like she is called to do. Just start moving in some direction...if you don't like it and decide it's not for you that's OK...you are learning even then and you are narrowing down your preferences as to what you really want to do with your life. And I would say this...have you tried telling your parents how you feel? At your age you can look at your parents as allies hopefully. Telling them that you are struggling and need them to believe in you is a perfectly appropriate thing to do. I know I definitely respect my kids when they tell me they aren't sure what to do but want to do what's right. I don't know your personal beliefs but I firmly believe that God created us all with talents and gifts uniquely our own. He has a plan for you for sure. I will be praying for your decision and that you will find the special nitch that is a fit for you and your talents. Keep us posted! :)

BTW...having said all that about procrastinating myself I am 47 now and hoping to be accepted into the nursing program in the Fall to finish my pre-reqs. :)

Yes, I went to George Brown College and dropped the program couple of weeks