When I was in seventh grade I wanted to be an astronaut.

  Really, I wanted to grow roses on Mars. Space botany, like in the Martian.

  Now that I’ve re-evaluated my strengths (and unavoidable fear of floating through space forever), I have determined that equine neuroscience might be the career for me.

  This is definitely quite different from space botany, and I’m glad I’ve changed my mind because I can easily imagine myself mapping the brain of a horse before planting seeds on alien playgrounds.

  I think this is the dilemma for a lot of students. A lot of young people have dreams, sometimes ones as crazy as mine. However, I’m pretty sure many change their mind and find something that they are passionate about and believe in, like, in my case, equine neuroscience, when they’re older. That leads to a flaw with the college system.

  As young as before they’ve entered middle school, colleges have been known to plan to recruit children for something that they excel at. If this were me, I would’ve been given invitations to every flower show, tours of the space center, and some other things that really wouldn’t help me now. Some young people get scholarships before they even enter high school.

  This predestination is forcing children into something that they might not really want. How many people have tried a sport when they were young and not liked it? How many people have played an instrument and then quit after a few years? But what if you were really good at it? If you got a scholarship for it at the age of nine while you liked it then maybe you would keep doing it and not really enjoy what you were doing later on.

  Many colleges advertise summer programs for children and teens that are interested in not only their schools, but careers that are promoted by the schools. In an ad for NYU, which was centered toward seventh and eighth graders, it advertised tours of their labs for medical students. Lots of people dream to be doctors, but a lot will change their minds between middle and high school.

  For certain individuals, early college searching and career planning can be very beneficial. Some people know they’re going to be a dancer from birth. But this isn’t the majority. People usually need time to figure out what they excel at, what they want, and what they are passionate about. They need time to consider space botany and cruise directing and equine neuroscience before they find what they want.

  Not to mention the science behind decision making. As I am a fan of neuroscience, I have looked into what helps humans make decisions and if we are even qualified to make them at such young ages. The part of the brain that helps make decisions, the frontal lobe, isn’t fully developed until the age of 25. Until then, we are influenced by outside sources such as parents, schools, and television. The things we want as children are the product of our environment.

  If someone is in high school and doesn’t know what they want to do, or what school they want to go to, it doesn’t mean that they’re behind or that they are were wrong. It simply means they haven’t found their passion. It’s important to take the time to find what you love.

  Then you can find it, pursue it, work hard, get into that school you want, and excel in the field. But until you make that decision for yourself, remember that those schools will chase you for things that they think you’re good at. Don’t let them tell you what’s right for you.

  There is a genetics company that is offering a $150 test that determines an infant’s athletic ability. This gives parents an idea of what sports to have their child signed up for. Doesn’t it sound crazy to think that a baby will be sent to soccer because their DNA says that their legs will be good for it? That’s kind of like letting college decide what you’re gonna do for the rest of your life before you even go to high school.

  So when it comes to figuring out college and careers, the best way to go is to simply wait and find what you love. Even if it is growing hydrangeas on one of Jupiter’s moons.