Empowered University Students: Charting Their Lives in an Uncertain World
(Five paths for navigating uncertainty)
Our research with university students shows that students define “being lost” as “being uncertain.” Furthermore, this uncertainty comes in three varieties: uncertainty about who they are, uncertainty about living in an uncertain world, and uncertainty about what major and career to choose. Finally, about two-thirds of university students feel lost or very lost.
This article addresses the second type of feeling uncertain: living in an uncertain world. My work with USFQ students has revealed five paths that students believe help them navigate their uncertainty.
1. Recognizing that there are numerous advantages to being uncertain
The main advantage of uncertainty is the freedom to explore various university options, such as majors and career options, without feeling constrained by a predetermined trajectory. While some students feel pressured to adhere to a specific plan, uncertainty allows students to think outside the box and consider alternative paths that may align more closely with their interests and aspirations.
Moreover, not having a clear career path allows students to embark on a journey of self-discovery. By trying out different roles, work options, and experiences, they can better understand their strengths, weaknesses, and true passions. This process of introspection and experimentation enables them to refine career goals and make more informed decisions about their future.
2. Realizing that being too sure about your life direction, including your major and career, can be very limiting
By recognizing that being too certain can have its downsides, students can transform their discomfort with uncertainty into curiosity, exploration, and discovery.
Many students appear to be certain about their life trajectory, but they are not. Many pursue work options to support their families or because family and friends want them to go in a certain direction — not because of choices based on self-reflection, self-knowledge, exploration, and discovery.
Some students are certain about their careers and future because they have dreamed of a particular future for many years. This certainly discourages considering other options.
Having a clear idea for a future, including a career, and not diverging from a set career path may provide students with a sense of stability. However, instability also has advantages, such as fostering curiosity, exploration, and discovery. In the long term, these advantages might outweigh the advantages of stability.
Social expectations can be powerful in encouraging students to solidify their choices. Society bombards students with messages such as, “You’re good at math, so you must become an engineer.” These comments limit options, restrict curiosity and present a narrow path instead of a vast landscape of possibilities. When family and friends reinforce these pre-defined roles, it’s easy to fall in line, trusting these judgments, thereby limiting other opportunities.
3. Accepting that the philosophies of Existentialism and Stoicism contain helpful advice for living in an uncertain world
Some students feel lost because life seems devoid of inherent meaning. Existentialism advises that we must carve out meaning through our choices and actions. This advice is simultaneously liberating and daunting. It empowers students to take control of their destiny and embrace the freedom to chart their course, yet it also places responsibility on their shoulders. Instead of feeling lost because there’s no inherent meaning of life, we can see life as an opportunity to make our lives what we want them to be.
Another idea that has helped students is the Existentialist belief in the subjective nature of existence. If we perceive existence and reality differently, then there’s no point in comparing our lives to others. This frees us to explore, discover, and try different paths.
In conclusion, Existentialists argue that by accepting one’s responsibility, authenticity, and the fundamental absurdity of existence, we can find independence and meaning in a world filled with meaninglessness. In the face of uncertainty, this understanding can offer an outline for living a more meaningful life.
Stoicism also offers sound advice for living with uncertainty. Stoics embrace accepting what is beyond our control, which is liberating. It reminds students that while they may not have control over external circumstances or outcomes, they do control their thoughts, actions, and responses. By relinquishing futile attempts to control the uncontrollable, they free themselves from unnecessary stress and anxiety and focus on turning obstacles into opportunities. This mindset helps many students navigate their uncertainties by focusing more on opportunities instead of solely on obstacles.
4. Realizing how curiosity helps with social uncertainty
A critical key to creating connections with other people is genuine curiosity. People can feel whether the person they are talking to is truly interested in them. Moreover, curiosity can expand students’ social circles by encouraging them to try various activities, attend events, and explore online and offline communities. Each new encounter becomes an opportunity to learn and grow, enriching social experiences and deepening connections with others.
5. Accepting that uncertainty is a double-edged sword
Perhaps the metaphor of a double-edged sword is the best way of summarizing students’ thoughts about uncertainty. By accepting life’s uncertainties, students are more able to open themselves to exploration and discovery. Furthermore, this curiosity allows them to chart their course and find meaning in the entire process of navigating uncertainty. Through curiosity-fueled exploration, students can unearth latent talents and discover fulfillment in unexpected arenas. Moreover, by embracing ambiguity, they can better adapt to the evolving contours of life in an uncertain world.
Gerald L. Finch, PhD, Professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (www.usfq.edu.ec), topics the author finds intriguing: helping students navigate uncertainty, helping students find meaning in life, and helping managers understand what it means to respect employees. gfinch@usfq.edu.ec, geraldfinch5@gmail.com, www.loststudents.org
