There's a cultural expectation for high school seniors to know answers to questions like "What are you majoring in?" or "Where are you planning on going to college?" 

And not only is it expected, but it's the wise thing to do. Oftentimes, it's what is required for career success. 

But what if your kid doesn't know what they want to do? Is it normal? 

While it may not be most high school seniors, it certainly can be common to not have a plan. This is a stage of life of exploring options and solidifying one's identity while the brain is still developing.  

For some high schoolers, however, this may be indicative of a deeper issue.  

Why Your Teen Might Not Have a Plan 

1. Fear of making the wrong decision 

This is a common fear that lies behind indecision, lack of clarity, and confusion. This fear is tied to beliefs which dictate the way we view and operate in the world. (Think of beliefs as lenses that shape perception). Some beliefs that correlate with this fear might be: 

"I will end up wasting time and money." 

"I don't trust myself to make this decision." 

"There's no good option for me." 

"This decision will determine the rest of my life." 

Ultimately, underlying some of these beliefs is usually a version of: 

"It's safer to not choose then to risk regret (and the feeling of failure)." 

All these beliefs may even lead to the narrative of "What's the point?" (This is the emotional state of apathy). 

2. Pressure from parents, peers, or social media 

As stated previously, there's a cultural expectation for high school seniors to not only go to college but to have some kind of career plan in place. This expectation comes from many different sources: friends, teachers, family, the media, etc. They are also bombarded with a slew of messages from social media – sometimes conflicting but often converging on an underlying theme of "You need to be or do ___ in order to be good enough or accepted". For some teenagers, they internalize this expectation as pressure and cope through indecision, procrastination, or lack of clarity.  

3. Anxiety, perfectionism, or low confidence 

Career indecision can stem from a deeper, more consistent personality trait. This is very much interrelated to the fear of making the wrong decision. 

The belief "I don't trust myself to make a decision" could be a result of: 

"I'm unworthy or not good enough to be successful" 

As a result, low self-worth and low self-esteem generates self-doubt that zaps all motivation and clarity. 

Similarly, the need to be perfect or simply the need to curate a particular image can create so much pressure and anxiety that it can be paralyzing. This pattern is sometimes from low self-worth but can also come from the need for control. (Ironically, however, the need for control is oftentimes responsible for creating situations where we feel out of control). 

4. Feeling overwhelmed by the transition to adulthood 

For some teenagers, they simply feel ill-equipped for adulthood. While school is familiar and predictable, being an adult is unpredictable, messy, and often requires a different skillset, mindset, and emotional maturity. While college is supposed to be a stepping-stone and transition, it may also represent a letting go of a life that hits too close to home.  

How We Can Help 

If you suspect your teenager may be dealing with anything similar to the above and want him/her to have support working through these issues, feel free to contact me or my colleague Ryan about our 8-week group counseling for high school seniors in January 2027 where we equip high school seniors with the tools to address these problems.