Should I be a priest if I don't know what I want to study in college?

[Walterross]

Hi everyone. I’m having a bit of a struggle in finding out what God is calling me to do in my life. I know the title sounds like I’m thinking of the priesthood as a last resort, and maybe I am. I’m currently attending college, and have already switched my major once, thinking about switching again. I don’t know what I want to do exactly and I find little of the topics interesting. This may be because I do suffer from depression and anxiety, so making a decision is somewhat challenging. I’m also extremely devout, not giving in to the ways of “college life”. I think most know what I’m talking about, so I won’t elaborate. I’ve thought that since I can’t find an interest in college, and the fact that I want to be holy, I should be a priest. Is God doing a kind of process of elimination to lead me to the priesthood? Yet, all my life I’ve longed and wanted to meet someone and fall in love and start a family. I’m really struggling to see what would be the best thing for me but I do indeed want marriage, and if I had a choice, I would choose marriage. Unless God somehow told me he wants me to be a priest. Does any body have any similar thought processes?

 

[sevenswords]

You have answered your own question, if you desire a family then that is your calling, it’s very possible to be Holy and Married.
you have depression so now is not a good time to make a decision as depression clouds the mind.
I would seek to over come that first before entering into any future plans.
The world could do with more good fathers to lead the next charge against evil.
maybe you need to get out and enjoy yourself a little more with your peers as friends are a great help when your depressed.
Have a blessed Christmas

 

[Cloisters]

Depression and college seem to go hand-in-hand. It’s usually a combination of lack of sleep and a tremendous burden of learning on the brain. A good walk, and making sure one takes breaks, is always the first course. Watch your diet, and stay away from fizzy drinks with high fructose corn syrup. I would speak with a campus psychiatrist about perhaps going on something mild like Wellbutrin. Just a little bit to pick one up. The brain may be lacking dopamine, which can come from the stress of learning.

I somehow managed to get a BA in five years, but that included a five-month leave-of-absence, then major change. The skillset developed by my labor position is what got me a job afterward. Unbeknownst to me, I had unresolved abuse issues, which came out once I had graduated. I had also suffered from mono in the first college I attended (practical nursing program). I never really recovered from it.

Aren’t there tests the college could give you to see where your strengths are? I had started with nursing, but my alma mater seemed to have the God-given grace of reaching in and pulling out innate talents. I had always done reading and creative writing, and I graduated with an English degree. I’m still interested in healthcare, and I’ve found online options.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a General Education degree, which is recommended for priesthood candidates. Why not change to that, and get your depression under control. Get a spiritual director, and speak with the diocesan vocations director. Visit some seminaries, and see if you get a “coming home” feeling when visiting. Actually going to the sites are a major method of discernment.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/holyangels/id9.html/

 

[aroosi]

Please, please, please… if you enter marriage or priesthood don’t do it as a ‘last resort’ or because you ‘don’t know what you want to study’.

 

[1ke]

Talk to your diocesan vocations director regarding the priesthood.

Talk to a guidance counselor at your college regarding career options.

And if you aren’t already seeing a therapist about your anxiety and depression, please do so.

Not everyone knows what they want to do in life at your age. It’s normal.

 

[JHFamily]

College is a hard place to be. In the words of a young friend of mine, “It’s a battlefield out there, and I’m the only one swinging a sword!” Do you think you would be happy studying Theology/Philosophy? I understand there’s a big shortage of these teachers in our Catholic high schools.