Advice for Awkward Moments with Awkward Lisa

Dear Lisa,

I have big decision to make. I can choose to stay at DSU or change majors and go to another school. Both sound great, but I don’t know how to make this tough decision.

Sincerely,

Indecisive Igloo

Ms/Mr/Mrs/Mz Igloo,

Decisions can be extremely difficult to make, especially if you are indecisive. I am also Indecisive and can take a whole day to decide even little things—like whether or not I should do laundry tonight. But I think it is important to realize—in many situations, there isn’t necessarily a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ decisions. (In other cases, yes it’s right to do your homework, and no, it’s wrong to steal candy from babies). Each decision can affect your life and take you down different paths. To evaluate which may be a better decision, for you, I would suggest starting by sizing up your reasons for picking one over the other. List reasons you should choose one, and then do the same for the other. Then also list reasons that you wouldn’t or shouldn’t choose that decision for each of the options you have. These points may be logical, like “I will progress further in my field.” Or they may be emotional-based, for example, “I want to be near to friends and family.” Depending on the type of person you are, either logical or emotional reasoning may appeal and hold more weight to your, but taking into account both of these decision approaches would be beneficial.

Next, research. The more information you have, the better informed you can be in making the best decision for you. Think about location, cost, what do other people say on-line about your program of study? Collect as much information as possible from reliable sources to add to your pros and cons list. You should also seek the counsel of your most trusted friends and family. Ask advice from people who are knowledgeable, and have your best interests in mind. Also, talk through your pros and cons with them. It helps to have an outside perspective and someone to share your thoughts with, to make sure you don’t over-think and to keep you from going crazy. Also, if you can find someone who has been through a similar experience before, or had to make a similar decision, their advice will be invaluable. In the end, always remember, that whatever you do decide, you are still young. You still have a lot of important decisions to make in your lifetime, and you’ll be alright. Although it often feel like these are life and death situations, often time there might be more than one path that leads to life. It’s more about what kind of life you choose to live. Choose wisely, but once you have picked, go boldly to the future and embrace your decision.

Best of Luck!
–Lisa