1. I like so many things! I can’t make up my mind what to choose! If I pick one, I’ll be turning away from all these other things I want to do. If this is your problem, ask yourself these questions: Do I have trouble making other decisions in general? Do I tend to fear committing to things because I could be wrong and then what would I do? Do I enjoy learning new things, but get bored if I have to delve too deeply into any one thing? Do I tend to score evenly on interests tests because I really am interested in almost all those things? 2. I’ve picked my major. I’ll be great at it—everyone says so! I’m getting great grades and my professors are noticing my hard work and talent. So, why am I unhappy? Why do I feel like this is not what I really want to be doing??? This isn’t supposed to be happening! If this sounds like you, ask yourself these questions: Am I afraid that all these people are seeing something in me that isn’t there an I’ll end up failing them, and myself? Am I afraid that I can succeed at this major and career path, and that could mean changes I may not be ready for? Is there another major and possible career path that really interests me more, but isn’t what others are expecting me to do? 3. I don’t really see anything I’d really like to do! I’m having trouble deciding on a major because nothing really excites or interests me. If this sounds like you, ask yourself these questions: Do I tend to have trouble feeling really excited or interested in other things in my life; do things generally feel blah? Have you really explored all your options or have you been looking in only certain “expected” or “popular” places for the right major/career path? If you can’t quite find the major/career path you know you’ll LOVE, are you willing to search for the major/career path you’d ENJOY? 4. I actually know what I love doing. There’s just one major problem. It is a completely impractical thing to want to do and my family isn’t going to support me if I pursue that fantasy! If this sounds like you, ask yourself these questions: Have I convinced myself that I will never earn a living doing what I love? How do I know for sure that I won’t get the support I want? Am I willing to take some low risk steps towards pursuing my fantasy? The Loyola College Counseling Center offers free counseling and referral services to Loyola students. Just call 617-5109 or stop by Humanities 150 for an appointment and for help calrifying these issues.
*Handout adapted from B. Sher (1994). I could do anything, if I only knew what it was. NY, NY: Dell Publishing | 
