Tim Xiao knew he was a disappointment to his family. He had taken a year off after high school, saying he needed time to figure things out. This was not the path that his sisterand his cousins, for that matterhad taken. Nowat lasthe was easing his way into higher education, starting with a two-year college. He was trying to show that he respected his parents wishes, but in fact he was no closer to figuring things out than a year earlier. One key entry on his college registration form remained blank: Intended Academic Program. Tim could think of nothing to write down. The assistant registrar said, Just write Undecided, which he figured was the official college word for Clueless. In fact, he had no idea what courses to take or what program to sign up for. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. His parents and his sister offered suggestions, but that didnt help at all.

Do you think Tim is taking this decision too seriously or not seriously enough? What advice would you give him about the importance of the choice of an academic program at this point in his college career?