Being a nursing major, I knew I was signing myself up for hard classes and a lot of stress. What I didn't realize was that the classes would be way harder than I could've ever imagined. I didn't want to feel like I was giving up on my major, so I kept pushing and retaking classes to try to boost my chances at getting admitted to nursing school.

However, I was still failing classes that I thought were easier, and it was taking a major toll on my mental health.

After I met with my advisor to go over what my plan would look like for the next semester and my odds for being admitted to the college of nursing, I decided I needed a few hours to think. The stress of classes and planning for my next steps all hit me at once, and I was fighting back tears for the hours before I was able to get in touch with my mom. I didn't want to feel like I was giving up on something I had wanted so badly, but she was able to open my eyes. She told me that if I am this stressed all the time then I needed to make a change.

So, after our conversation, I spent the next two hours looking into other majors and emailing my advisor to drop some classes that I was struggling in. I also took a personality test to help me gain some clarity on what professions I would thrive in.

I ultimately landed on changing my major to psychology, and I immediately felt as though a massive weight had been lifted off my chest when I made the call to get an appointment with my new advisor. This experience is different for everyone, but you have to make sure you are doing something that you feel is right. Sometimes, it is necessary to take a step back and look at what you've been going through and evaluate how that could play out in the future.

It is scary to shift your life path, but it could turn out so much better in the long run. You just have to be willing to take that leap of faith.