7 Doubts Every College Student Has

Movies, television shows and the rest of social media portray college as a picture-perfect place, a time where you can meet new friends and study your interests. But, when you’re heading over to your campus Starbucks for your fourth Espresso for finals week, you may have some questions running through your head: Is all this hard work worth it? Am I good enough? What’s the point of college?  Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve only completed my freshman year at USC, and I’ve thought of all these doubts every college student has already. But hang in there, you got this. Just think things through and imagine the big picture—your future.

1. Did I choose the right university?

This is probably the biggest question that runs through your mind the summer before your freshman year. I spent around a month comparing my college choices before committing to USC. For some people, choosing a university may be a piece of cake. But for others, it make take a lot longer. From the school’s national ranking to the campus atmosphere, there are so many things to consider before you choose the university you will call home for the next four years. You may have doubts about the school you selected, but think of the reasons that drew you in, way back when you were a high school senior.

2. Am I good enough for this school?

Here is where your insecurities come in, especially when you see the students within your graduating class. There’s never a day where I don’t compare myself to my peers in my classes, regardless if it’s for a G.E. or if it’s for my major. There are so many brilliant students at USC, so it makes me wonder, am I really good enough? Do I have what it takes to call myself a fellow Trojan? This is a common doubt, and just remember that your university accepted you because they saw potential in you and knew you would be an excellent contribution on campus. These are doubts every college student has.

And yes, you are good enough.

3. Why am I going to college?

With 3 papers deadlines and a midterm all next week, college can get really tough. It’s not always the glamorous experiences we hear from our friends and family members. During your lowest points in college, you may ask yourself “What’s the point of college?” or “Do I really need a college degree?” But you’ve worked SO hard to get to this point. You’ve dedicated so much of your life to studying, from Kindergarten to your senior year of high school. You’re finally in college, so don’t give up just yet. You still have so much to learn and so much time to grow. These are doubts every college student has.

4. Did I pick the right major?

You may have just failed a major-requirement class, or maybe you just ended up hating the subject you thought you loved. Now you’re questioning, is this major really right for me? All students have this phase because the content you’re studying may get dull, you may have the worst professor, or you’re just not getting the grades you’re expecting. Adults can’t expect students to apply for a major in their senior year of high school and stick through it the rest of college. Passions, hobbies and ambitions can change over the course of four years. If you’re having doubts about your major, talk to your academic advisor about the potential options you can switch to and if it fits with your graduation schedule. These are doubts every college student has.

5. Should I transfer schools?

I’ve had this question run through my mind MANY times. I love USC and it was my dream school since I was little. But sometimes I asked myself “Do I love USC, or do I love-love it?” Thankfully, I decided that my college was the one for me. But that’s not the case for everyone. You may genuinely not enjoy the university you’re at, and that’s okay. Try looking at other colleges that you could potentially submit transfer applications to. Just make sure that those potential schools have the characteristics and qualities that you want in a university.

6. Am I not studying hard enough?

Maybe your grades are slipping a bit and you don’t know why. It could possibly be because you’re focus is somewhere else, you’re not living a balanced lifestyle or because you’re not enjoying the material that you’re learning in class. Take the time to organize your thoughts and see what you can do to improve your studying habits. I recommend creating a study schedule or to start a bullet journal so it can keep you on task, that way you can enjoy time with your friends afterwards.

7. Am I good enough to apply for this internship?

As a freshman, I was intimidated by the many internship options I could apply for. I had only finished one year of college, would my application even stand out compared to the upperclassmen who applied? Regardless of what college year you’re in, internships are an amazing opportunity for real-world experience in your desired career field and a chance for you to grow as a person and as a student. It may seem daunting at first when you’re in an application pool with seniors who have had 3 previous years of college, but submitting an application doesn’t hurt. It’s all a learning process.

Which of these doubts every college student has do you have? Let us know in the comments.

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