There are many different avenues that one may take as they continue on from their high school careers. While college isn’t for everyone, the majority of high school seniors choose to pursue secondary education to chase their career dreams. I know that many high school seniors, like myself, are struggling to decide whether they should follow their passions or protect their wallets.

In short, the answer to this conflict is that there is no “correct” choice for a major. Success isn’t guaranteed by selecting a certain major, beyond that, success is a subjective idea that each one of us must define for ourselves. But to avoid a philosophical quarter-life crisis, let us focus on whether our passions can truly be our career by considering a few things. 

If there are any other majors you would like to study as much as your arts major, is this really for you?

This is a question that my college counselor asked me and it really made me think about just how passionate I am about musical theater. None of us are strangers to the harsh reality of the “starving artist” trope, so we must believe that our artistic talents will save us from this future. When I thought about this question, I realized that there isn’t anything else that I love as much as musical theater. I came to the conclusion that I believe my purpose in life is to be on stage and to tell stories. We all must ask ourselves this question because artistic careers and majors are so physically and emotionally taxing and require so much passion and drive to achieve “success”.

Money really isn’t everything, or is it?

Again, this is a question that we all must consider for ourselves. Here is a hard truth: we all need to make money. So, be realistic with yourself! If you graduate with a BFA in Musical Theater you likely won’t be signing a Broadway contract the second you graduate as you spend your days in a 2 bedroom apartment in Manhattan. That’s just not true. My advice is to also minor or major in something else. If theater is your passion, that’s great me too! But, I plan to minor in other things/double-major that way I will always have a backup plan when times are rough. The hardest part about an artistic career is the uncertainty. Who knows when there will be another writers/actors strike and there aren’t a plethora of auditions anymore? Make sure that you have something else you may enjoy/are good at that you can have as a backup career.

Stop listening to everyone else, you must listen to yourself. 

I have been telling my friends this mostly because I still have to tell myself this from time to time. At the end of the day, you are the one stuck with you. Most people in your life right now won’t always be there. It is so very important that you choose the best life path for you. So, choose something that will make you happy and enrich your life. Choose something that reflects your strengths and your passions. Your family or friends aren’t the ones who will go to class every day for 4 years and earn that degree, you are. So, take the time to sit with your own thoughts, as uncomfortable as that may be. Decide for yourself what you see yourself doing in 5 years from now, or decide what you think your purpose in this life is. Also, understand though that your purpose in this life will change constantly as you mature and have new experiences, and that’s okay too.

Back to what I said earlier, success is extremely subjective. Though I don’t want to induce a philosophical crisis in you, I do wish to share what I believe success is. I believe that success means that I’m doing what I love and fulfilling whatever I feel my purpose in this life is at the time. Remember, we are so very young. We have years and years ahead of us, so don’t stress too much. Very few decisions in this life are final so many things are bound to change. Do what is best for you right now. Not 5 years from now, or 10 years from now, because you will be a different person then. Follow your dreams and your passions and above all, stay true to yourself.