INFPs, motivation, and college. Dammit.

yo i know how you feel. i hit sophomore year in college and got super depressed and cynical about school and education and the American dream and the whole rat race. i had this vague idea of applying to pharmacy school after graduation which wasn't realistic, given my study habits and GPA. basically i coasted through the rest of college skipping classes, partying a whole lot and getting C's. i think if i wasn't so naive and aloof as an 18 year old, i probably wouldnt have gone to college..but thats a different story.

i think a huge part of the problem i had was i couldnt see past the percieved pathways each major would lead. i thought bio majors automatically would apply to med school, that econ majors automatically applied to MBA programs. i limited myself with these types of beliefs. i didnt truly want to do either of these things, so i kinda gave up on myself and my future. i lost sight of any type of end point in my education, so to me there was no point in trying.

i think one way you could keep your motivation, your GPA, and your sanity is by picking a major that emphasizes your strengths. As an INFP, you are probably good at writing, reading, etc. Go with a major in the humanities, such as English. Or even sociology, psychology or history. These majors play to your strengths. They involve deep thinking mixed with some creativity and most tests and finals are based on essay writing. Majors like biology, chemistry and engineering are equally interesting but require more rigorous study habits. The classes are generally harder too. The classes are based on hard facts, which INFP's dont do well with.

i think as INFPs, we tend to see possibilities in every direction, which inhibits us from making a strong judgement call, or choosing something and sticking with it. you should realize that college is a time to explore and discover. i know that everything may feel pointless, but you must change your attitude about life. look at this time period in college as an opportunity to grow and learn about yourself. take strange classes, switch your major if you dont like it, talk to the weirdos in the back of the class. college was super fun, and it was the relationships and bonds i formed that made it special. the vast majority of college students dont really know what they want in life anyway, so you're not far from norm. don't feel like you need to decide your future within the next six months. you may end up doing something completely unrelated to your major after college. it happens all the time.

if you lose your scholarship, you will end up having to pay for college yourself (if you decide to continue that route). i suggest looking into online entrepreneurship. there is a ton of opportunity out there nowadays. im sure you could think up some creative ideas to implement on campus. this could help fund your tuition and give you real business experience. i warn you tho, a lot of entrepreneurship is hustling, which can be difficult for INFPs. But making money always feels good. And it can potentially open up a career path for you. It provides autonomy and a creative aspect that all INFPs crave. Visit forums or even r/entrepreneurship.

also, one thing that probably could have helped me. find a mentor, or someone to open up to. it's good that you are reaching on on reddit, that's a start. i think guidance from a wise advisor is always helpful. someone who has been around the block, so to speak. they may be able to put things in a better perspective.

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