Welcome back Missouri State Bears! Spring Break is over and the end of the second semester is in sight. With that comes registration for classes, post-graduation plans, summer job applications, and more decisions that oftentimes can take a lot of thought. Recently I’ve been faced with a lot of decision-making opportunities and I’ve learned a few things along the way that I wanted to share with you all.

First, Gather all of the Information 

When a decision is first presented it can be easy to become overwhelmed with all the known and unknown possibilities. If you can compile all important information into one organized space it will help in the next steps. You’ll want to find the benefits, drawbacks, time, place, people, price, or anything else relevant. With my most recent decision, I found this to be helpful because it helped me better formulate a case for both sides when presenting it to my peers and family. That leads me to my next step…

Talk it Out

Find who knows you best and ask them to weigh in with their opinion. Assuming this decision will be big enough to affect other decisions, you’ll want trustworthy input before anything else. I have found that often when talking it out you discover what it is you truly want and the answer is there for you. If that isn’t the case your community is right there to pour wisdom or guidance out for your choosing. It could be that these influences share a point you had yet to think of which can be helpful or a setback.

If you need additional support or just a new outlook, the Center for Academic Success and Transition office has Peer Mentors and Success Coaches available for you to meet with through drop-in hours (Spring 2024: Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) or request online.  

Enter Your Evaluation Period

There is nothing wrong with taking time to think over a decision before making it. I would argue it is better and professional to take considerable time to weigh in on your choices. Once you have all of the information and have talked it out, do something that relaxes you and calms the mind. For me, this looks like going on walks or journaling in the colder months. Both are exercises that allow me to dump all my thoughts and isolate them into a session of evaluation. I encourage you to be flexible with this time as it could take a much shorter time than anticipated or longer. Once you feel that you’ve come to a decision, give yourself a pat on the back and lead confidently with the choice. 

Take Action

If anyone else is involved in the decision, let them know your choice and thank them for the time they allowed you to think about it. I also find it important to go back and thank any of the individuals who helped me decide with an update on what I decided.

Takeaway 

For many at the university level, we are entering a season of decision-making and it can be a stressful time but it doesn’t need to be. Gather all information given, bring in your community (or a peer mentor!), evaluate in solitude, and take action. Best of luck with all of the decisions you’ll soon be making!

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, a junior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I grew up on a farm.)