Fretting Over the Future

            The future, for many young aspiring students, tends to draw up a blank. There are so many questions to be answered, various options to choose from, and strenuous decisions to be made. A large majority ofsenior students are constantly seeking answers to both academic and non-academic questions regarding colleges, universities and career choices. Students ask themselves; What is my passion and what is that one thing I want to study and make my career?, and then Where can I go to get my education and get the foundation I need to move towards my career goals?, and lastly How do I get there? Then there are other decisions to be made concerning location and financial matters. Am I going to attend University or College from home?, or Will I live on campus a couple of hours away? It’s no wonder students are constantly stressing…there’s too much to take into consideration.

            We questioned grade eleven, Gloucester High School student, Mackenzie Cooke what her thoughts were, pertaining to attending University. Mackenzie shared her concerns regarding the subject, stating with obvious unease; “getting to class on time, time managing, finding classes..." and it doesn't stop there. The school board requires all grade ten students to take a careers course, in order to better prepare students for their future by providing them with the knowledge they need to make there own decisions. One of the course requirements is to research and present your findings regarding a University of your choice. This is done in order to get students thinking about their own future and so that they can begin to consider their own options and goals in life.

            It can get very difficult for students that aren’t yet decided on what they want to do, as there are pre-requisites, admittance requirements, and scholarships to apply for before-hand. Not to mention, there’s also a chance that they might want to change career paths, and in order to successfully do so, go back and take other courses required for the program of interest. Sadly, even after you graduate from University, there isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get a well paid job, or a job at all for that matter. Anna Gut, a stay at home mom, cared to share a couple words of wisdom with us; stating that the scariest thing about finishing university, is finding a job. “I never got a job in my field; I didn’t know the system. I was living in Montreal and couldn’t speak French, so that made it harder to find a job as well” Finding adequate employment prior to university is a major stepping stone to becoming successful.

 

            It doesn’t stop here, education and career choices aren’t the only worries crossing the minds of many young adults. Not only are students concerned about their future education, but they’re already being pressured into thinking beyond that. Society expects the majority of people to get married, have 2.5 kids, live in a respectable house, and own genuinely nice things. Of course that sounds like a pretty decent life plan to the majority of us, however the reality of it all is, is that finding the perfect mate isn’t as easy as displayed in romantic comedies. Families sometimes break apart, and there are things called mortgages, loans, taxes, and bills. Love may come easy to television characters, but the “Prince Charming” that most girls dream of some day meeting and living “happily ever after” with, is simply an unrealistic vision Disney brainwashed us into believing from a very young age. Realistically, most girls tend to set themselves up for disappointment, and a whole lot of emotional damage. In fact, *“According to the Department of Justice, Child Support Initiative, Evaluation Report, August 1997, divorce rate in Canada is about 48%. What it means is one marriage out of every two marriages, ends in divorce.” Once married, couples are expected to buy a home and fill it with nice things and eventually a family. However so many couples go into debt. Some are forced to go on welfare, others can barely afford to send there kids to school and provide them the education they need to be successful to achieve their dreams.

 

            It’s hard to believe that sixteen/seventeen-year-olds would be concerned about marriage and kids, and contemplating how many children they’d want, what they’d name them, and how they would discipline them, but it happens. Everyone contemplates the future, no matter how intimidating or undetermined it may seem. From Universities, to career choices to societal pressures, High School Students and even adults feel anxiety when it comes to the future. The future is scary, and though it may seem far away, it’s only right around the corner. Before you know it, you’ll wish you could be a worry-free kid again.

*=http://divorcerate.ca