It's okay to not have it all figured out

Octavia Tsibes
Leandrea Louw

It’s the end of life as you know it.

For years you have been counting down the days and the months to finally ditching your school uniform and embracing adulthood. Yet you keep on asking yourself, what happens now?

I always knew I had a passion for writing, but when I was in primary school I wanted to become a doctor. In my grade 10 year I decided I wanted to become a forensic pathologist. CSI and Law & Order made it look so cool.

In grade 12, I truly discovered my passion for reading and writing. It was then I realised that I can actually make a living out of it. That’s where I decided, come hell or high water, I’m becoming a journalist.

This didn’t sit so well, with a few of my peers and my family included. I guess it wasn't as fancy as becoming a doctor, engineer or lawyer. Although my grade 12 points, subjects and being Dux Learner at this very school, did make it possible for me to become something ‘fancy’.

Anyway, after spending days and nights studying, I didn’t get into my dream university and my second option was too expensive. I decided to find a job at a local newspaper and take it from there. It was a confusing and nerve wrecking time. I always thought that I would go to university, get my degree, find a well-paid, stable job, buy a house, car and be married before I turn 30. (Let’s all laugh).

After my dreams of going to university came crushing down, I had my mini pity parties and my moments of rage on how cruel life is, but I put on my big girl pants and decided to make the most of it.

Six years later, I’m still working as a journalist. I have a certificate in paralegal studies and started with my bachelors of law as well as with a certificate in human resources. I decided not to limit myself. It’s not exactly what my plan was, but I am happy with all I achieved thus far.

What I am trying to tell you is, it’s okay if you don’t know where you are going to be or what job you’ll be doing in the next five years.

For grade 12 learners the question of whether you know what you’ll be doing the next five years pops up a lot. Many of you can answer right away that you’ll be working, you’ll be studying or you’re taking a gap year, but a lot of you can’t answer that question. It’s okay. Not everyone always has everything figured out. Don’t be afraid to follow your heart and pursue your passions. Listen to advice, but carefully scrutinize it to make sure that the person giving it to you isn’t trying to push their own agenda on you.

There are numerous online free career tests you can take, to point you in the right direction.

Listen to your heart, take a deep breath, discover what your passions are and take it day by day. Society is already placing unrealistic expectation on us. It’s okay not to have it all figured out. Life has a way of taking unexpected turns with us. Just go with it.

Rome wasn’t built in a day.