Managing Uncertainty and Risk

Recently, whenever I start to think of the nearing future, post-college, I get very anxious and quickly try to focus on other things. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes with graduating college and entering the “real world” that I would rather disregard than contemplate. However, it is inevitable, so my parents and I have done a number of things throughout the years to manage some of this uncertainty. They have saved money in order to support me through my education and I have tried to chose viable paths to invest in.

I have never had a clear picture of what I wanted my life as an adult to look like. When I was a child, my dream jobs included everything from astronaut to interior designer. This uncertainty continued throughout high school and college, never fully knowing what I wanted to pursue. Luckily my parents have helped in managing my indecisiveness and have tried to steer me towards more risk averse options. 

The first big decision I had to make that would truly affect my future was selecting a university. However, I did not see it as such when I was deciding. I had not really considered what college I wanted to attend until it came time to applying. I started applying to colleges based on minimal online research and recommendations from friends and family. By doing well in high school, earning good grade and leadership positions, I knew I would have better options when it came to college. This was easy to do in my small high school, so I applied to many schools across the country, but I did not know what I wanted to study. So when there was no undeclared or general studies route, I applied to basically random programs at each college. I thought I would do alright at any college and I was really enjoying my time in high school, so this was not something I though about often. 

My decision, like many others, was ultimately based on the price. Because my generous parents are paying for my college, I did not have to worry about taking out loans or post-college debt. However, they used a prepaid tuition program that made U of I the least expensive choice. Saving money, especially at this degree, creates a buffer in risky situations. However, my lack of research and overall indifference did not work out for me. I struggled through my first year and a half at the university, not knowing what I wanted to study or join and feeling uncomfortable around campus. Planning and considering more factors of a college experience probably could have helped prevent this. 

After many internal debates about transferring schools, I decided to make this school work out and do what I can to set myself up better in the future. And with my family in mind, this was the best choice financially. I started working harder in my classes and tried joining many different clubs and organizations around campus. I decided on a major that I was interested in and would be useful in the job market after graduation. By joining clubs that I was interested in, I gained personal skills and connections.

It is hard not to picture other scenarios that could have been if I had planned better, but I can only make more informed decisions moving forward. I continue to pursue things that I enjoy and that will be worth the time and effort in the future. By gaining more knowledge and experience in a specific field, I am gaining more human capital and therefore reducing the uncertainty of my post-college future.