From the beginning of the eighth grade, I knew I wanted to write. By the end of junior year, I made my plan to study English Literature in college. Now, I'm studying at The University of Rochester as an undeclared English undergrad. Little did I know, though, I'd encounter some choice words about my major when meeting new people for the first time.
1. “Aw, I’m so sorry!”
This was one of the first things I heard from a student I met after discussing what we were going to major in.
2. “Ha ha, you took the easy way out.”
Seriously? I’ll get back to you on that after I’ve finished typing two papers simultaneously while keeping up with the hundreds of pages of reading I have due on the same day.
3. “What are you going to do with that?”
What are you going to do with your degree? I have some ideas of what I would like to do after college, but no one has their whole life figured out, especially during their freshman year. I’ll be enjoying studying something I love and wait until I'm ready to make any concrete career plans.
4. “You’re not going to make any money.”
If money is the most important thing you’re going to get from your degree, I feel sorry for you.
5. "Why did you come here if you’re an English major?”
Despite UR being a big research university, it actually has one of the best English programs in the nation.
6. “Wow, you’re the first English major I’ve met here.”
This was flattering.
7. “Will you write my essay for me?”
Only if you’ll do my math for me.
8. “I would never be able to do that.”
And I would never be able to be an engineering major!
For a university that prides itself on establishing diversity, a lot of students here have some pretty staunch bias against majors other than their own. Enjoy what you study, and realize other people are working just as hard as you are—no matter what their major is.
