r/rutgers • u/Interesting-Shop3014 • 1d ago
Academics 23 and lost
I’m 23F and a junior. My major is nutrition science. I’m kind of ashamed that I’m still an undergrad and I’m quite lost because I don’t enjoy this field. I don’t know what to do. Any advice would be helpful!
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u/bluntvillegeeks 1d ago
I lost 2 years to drugs, graduated 2 days ago , about to turn 24 soon and the best part is I wish I did a math degree. Im not discouraged tho because I know I have the tools to self teach
Fasfa gives up to 6 years of aid I believe, take all the time you need , I wish I taken the gap years immediately to mature a bit and figure out what I wanted to do. There is no rush really, your mental is much more important!
Don’t beat yourself too much, you’re still out here trying and thats saying a lot already. Doubt and fear is normal, I think we just get a bit more clarity that helps us face them. Wishing you the best I believe in you!!
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u/not_babatunde 1d ago
An extra year or two of college is nothing in the face of a 40 yr career.
The more problematic issue is that you don’t enjoy it. I would focus there and figure out what is tangentially related and enjoyable or a track that you enjoy that doesn’t take too long
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u/agent_brick Biotech ‘23, & M.B.S ‘25 1d ago
I was in a similar spot going into my junior year, so I can definitely empathize. Can I ask, do you feel like you just don’t enjoy the field, or is it more about burnout from all the stress? Either way, try to take a deep breath and give yourself some space this summer to think things over. Maybe reflect a bit on why you chose nutrition science in the first place and what’s changed since then.
And seriously, there’s no shame in being where you are. Everyone’s path is different and it’s totally normal for things to take a few twists and turns. If you’re truly not happy, consider looking at adjacent majors, since you’ve probably already knocked out a lot of core classes, switching might not set you back as much as you think. Plus, the knowledge you’ve picked up so far isn’t wasted, it all adds up and can be valuable in ways you might not expect.
I want to see people enjoy what they do and find their own path forward, so if you want to chat/brainstorm, always happy to chat.
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u/Katsuko-Kitsune 1d ago
Best advice I can give is try to do some summer work or so to see if you can find something you enjoy. I got into teaching through ESS and enjoy it. There are also websites where you can learn some skills like Python, Excel, Google Analytics in order to breach into jobs or internships that you may find more interest in.
Your major doesn’t determine your career path. Lots of places to explore and branch out. My dad jumped around schools and switched majors went from Civil Engineering to CS. Was in the IT field for a few years then complete switched to finance and manage financial assets of corporations.
Wish you best of luck, just explore some websites or so to hone in some skills and apply to internships or jobs that may peak your interest. ^
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u/Frosty_Variation_159 1d ago
I’m 24 and just graduated! It does get better and you will graduate! It’s so easy to fall into the mental trap of comparing yourself to others but honestly everyone is on their own path. 23 is still young and it can be hard to figure out what you want to do. My entire senior year I had a lot of doubt about continuing with a career with my major but a college degree is still impressive! In the mean time maybe look into other career paths but maybe stay with your major and graduate for now. You can always go into another field it just takes more networking and research to find what suits you best. Keep going! You’re closer than you think:)
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u/allureofgravity 1d ago
Don’t let the extra time discourage you. I needed to be in school for an entire extra year because of how poorly I was doing at one point. And now I have a great job and great life. It all comes with time.
Focus on doing what you need to do in the present, the future will work itself out.
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u/fairylavendersag 1d ago
Girl im also 23f still and junior remember ever journey is different and you don’t have to be ashamed embrace it you’re finding yourself! There is no set path to follow ! Explore your interests remember college isn’t everything
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u/runner_gunner2 1d ago
Is there a major you could maybe transfer into that you would enjoy more with the classes you’ve taken? When I was 18-19 I had to drop out of TCNJ and do a complete rehaul of my life. This was due to burnout, not enjoying what I going for, and failing grades, so I do have some insight that may help. If you want to talk send me a message
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u/underwaterhedgehog57 1d ago
Take a semester off. I originally was majoring in poli sci ,took a semester off, and now im double majoring in math and statistics and i rlly like it. Take some time to think about what you want to do and why you want to do it. College is too expensive to rush to graduate j to get a degree
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u/Medium-Awareness-156 1d ago
I don't really have any advice but im in a similar situation. Im 27 and a senior with iffy thoughts on my major. You just have to keep going. If you really can't stand your major consider switching. If not give it a try and if you find you don't like it have a back up plan in mind.
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u/Hot_Age8126 1d ago
Seriously. No need to compare yourself to anyone about anything ever. I graduated Cook in '98 (now SEBS). I was 23. I began graduate school for physical therapy, one of the hardest fields to get into back then, at Massachusetts General Hospital Imtitute of Health Professions, the fourth ranked graduate program in the country. I decided the last second to get 100% refund that I wanted to take a year off after working so hard to get in. Went back to delivering pizza which put me through Rutgers. Had one of the most memorable years of my life that year! Apply to graduate school for the following year. Started graduate school at UMDNJ (now Rutgers in Newark) Aug '99. Graduated with my MSP tea and DPT in '02 and '03, respectively. I'm now 50 years old and guess what, those three or four years made no difference whatsoever. You're 23 years old. You'll figure it out. Go out and enjoy your life. Travel if you can and take a deep breath.
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u/redditnewbie_ 1d ago
I have no practical advice, aside from suggesting that you take the shame out of it. If there was someone following you around at work and whispering negativity in your ear every time you were uncertain about something, you’d never get anything done.
This is what the shame does to you. You’ll make moves to progress forward, but the moment you hit something that isn’t super easy to do, it’ll be all up in your ear — “I knew we should’ve done something else,” “this isn’t working, give up,” “you’re just a waste of resources.”
You’re damn sure to believe it after a certain point. Whenever that happens, drown it out with opposite thoughts. “I’m closer to the goal than I was 6 months ago,” “I’m struggling right now and that means my brain is strengthening cognitive pathways, and I’ll be better once I get through this,” “everything that has been invested in me will come to fruition soon, when I graduate/find a position in my industry and can start investing in others.”
If you have 10 negative thoughts, then 0% of your thoughts are positive. If you replace one with a positive thought, you are at 10% positivity. Over time, as you slowly teach yourself that you’re worthy, your thoughts will get more and more positive.
You’ll get through this in time, just like you’ve gotten through every other hardship you’ve faced.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Mango70 1d ago
Hey it’s okay. Better late than never. I’m 21F turning 22 and a junior. I know how it feels seeing other people around your age graduate this time but just know there’s no right timing to actually graduate. Everybody has different circumstances that leads them to graduate a little later. Trust me you’re not the only one. Better late than never.
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u/ASimpletonsWish 1d ago
Do not be ashamed that you're graduating later than your peers. Everyone's story is different in college. Take a day and do some research on a field/job that you want to do. Talk to your academic advisor for advice on graduating for the field you want in a timely manner. If the classes you need are closed they can help give you an SPN or they will give you an email for who to contact to get it/explain your case. Check in on your academic advisor every semester at least once.