The dreaded question "What are you majoring in?" is a source of dread for many college students. For some, it's because they have yet to declare and they don't want to tell yet another person that they don't know. For others, it's simply the repetition that gets to them. For those outside of the typical sciences, business, English, etc., it's more of a struggle than finals week. OK, not that bad, but it's a hassle.
1. The first response you get is: "What's that?"
Just answering the question with the title of your program? Yeah—no. No one ever knows what you're talking about. Must be nice, biology majors.
2. It's a million times worse if it's an acronym.
DIFT? HAB? PPP? After answering the question with your name, you have to tell what each letter stands for. You might even make it up every once in a while, 'cause you know whoever is asking won't remember next week anyway.
3. They probably still don't know what you're talking about.
"OK, yeah, but what's that?" *this is the point where you fight every urge to roll your eyes into the back of your head before launching into your explanation (because of course, you knew this was coming, but you hoped it wouldn't get this far).
4. "What do you want to do?"
Once they (sort of) understand what you're talking about, there's another set of questions to ward off. The "But why? and the "What are you gonna do with that?" provide the next step in explaining your weird major. I have career goals, too, you know, I'm just taking a different approach. It'll be OK.
5. "Are there actual jobs for that?"
Well, I sure hope so. Otherwise, I need to have a looooooooong chat with my advisor and whoever decided that this could be a major.
6. You start to wonder if maybe you are crazy for choosing this path.
Wait. Can I actually do something with this? Do I know what I'm doing? Yes, yes, I do. Probably. Maybe not, but does anyone?
7. And somehow your "What's your major?" discussion is still going on, even though all your friends get by with a single word.
Like seriously, how are we still having this conversation? Can't we move on to another form of small talk now? Let's try the weather next time.
8. The topic of your major is almost as difficult as your actual major.
Actually, it's not even close to being as hard, but it feels that way when you have to explain yourself.
9. There's an instant bond with the other people who share your misery...I mean, program.
At least you have people to sit next to you on the struggle bus. After all, that's all anyone can really ask for, right?
10. You know at some point in the near future you'll be hit with, "What's your major, again?"
Maybe next time I'll adopt a new major for the day. Business sounds nice, right?
