There is an unspoken pressure at university to have your entire life mapped out by the time you’re 20 or 21. To know exactly what career you want, to secure internships early, to build the right networks, and to transition seamlessly into the “right” graduate job after finishing your degree. This pressure doesn’t always come from one place; it comes from society, family expectations, social media, and sometimes from ourselves.

For many students, this pressure begins before university even starts. We’re expected to choose a course that will somehow determine the rest of our lives, often at an age where we’re still learning who we are. Most of us make these decisions with limited information, influenced by grades, advice from others, or what seems practical at the time. And yet, once we arrive at university, we expect ourselves to have clarity almost immediately.

This expectation is unrealistic.

University is often portrayed as a straight path: choose a degree, work hard, gain experience, and land a job. But real life is rarely that simple. Many students enter university unsure about their long-term goals, and even those who feel confident at the beginning often change their minds along the way. Growth brings new interests, new perspectives, and sometimes the realisation that what you once wanted no longer fits.

Social media amplifies this pressure in a powerful way. Platforms like LinkedIn are filled with polished success stories: internship announcements, graduate offers, leadership roles, and impressive achievements. While these accomplishments are real, they’re often presented without context. We don’t see the rejections, the uncertainty, the self-doubt, or the failed attempts behind the posts.

Constant comparison makes it easy to feel like you’re falling behind.

You may find yourself asking questions like: Why haven’t I secured an internship yet? Why does everyone else seem to know what they’re doing? Why does it feel like I’m moving slower than everyone else? Over time, these questions can turn into self-doubt, making you believe that uncertainty is a personal failure.

What we often forget is that everyone is on a different timeline. Some people discover their passions early and pursue them with clarity. Others take longer, and both journeys are equally valid. For some, opportunities come quickly. For others, timing plays a different role. Whether you believe in faith, destiny, or simply life unfolding as it should, it’s important to remember that your timing is your own.

Delayed does not mean denied.

Many of the people we admire today, professionals, leaders, creatives, did not have their lives figured out in their early twenties. Their paths were shaped by trial and error, uncertainty, career changes, and unexpected opportunities. Careers are rarely linear. They are built through exploration, setbacks, and growth.

University is not meant to give you all the answers. It is meant to give you tools; the ability to think critically, to adapt, to communicate, and to learn continuously. It’s a space to explore different interests, question assumptions, and develop a sense of direction over time. Expecting certainty too early can actually limit your growth, making you afraid to try new things or change course.

Uncertainty is not a weakness. It is a natural part of becoming an adult.

There is also pressure tied to age, the idea that by a certain point, you should have achieved specific milestones. But life does not operate on a universal schedule. Comparing your progress to others ignores the fact that everyone starts from a different place, with different resources, responsibilities, and circumstances.

Your worth is not measured by how early you succeed.

Learning to sit with uncertainty is an important skill. It teaches patience, resilience, and self-trust. Instead of asking yourself where you should be, it can be more helpful to ask where you are and what small steps you can take next. Progress does not have to be dramatic to be meaningful.

It’s also important to remember that clarity often comes through action, not overthinking. Trying things, gaining experience, and allowing yourself to change your mind can provide more insight than waiting for certainty to arrive.

University is a chapter, not the final destination. It is a place to grow, learn, and evolve, not a test of how quickly you can figure out your entire life. Feeling unsure does not mean you’re failing. It means you’re in the process of becoming.

Your journey does not need to look like anyone else’s to be valid. Trust that clarity will come in its own time, and that where you are right now is enough.