So, you had a plan. Go to college, study what you’ve always been interested in or wicked good at, get your degree and pursue that career. It doesn’t seem complicated. As a matter of fact, you feel confident having such a thorough, concrete plan when entering college. Some students have no idea what they even want to do. An undecided freshman? Just the thought gives you major anxiety. If you had a plan and you know what you’re good at, it’s a no-brainer to just stick with it, right?
This has been my thought process for the past two years, and now I have decided to change my major. Ever since I was little, I knew what I was interested in and what I would hope to be good at. I went to college to pursue just that, and never looked back. I never doubted my plan -- until this past spring. While I think it’s excellent to have a well thought out plan when entering college, that plan should also not be engraved into your lifestyle. I had such immediate support and encouragement from my friends and family about my initial major, why even bother to consider switching? I was comfortable.
Then, I started to branch out and join some organizations not directly related to my major (which I would highly recommend to all students). This made me start to think that, maybe, my whole world -- or at least, my college career -- would surprisingly not crumble at just the slight interest in exploring other majors. Of course, the initial thought gave me anxiety and telling my family and friends felt like serious whiplash. I realized that exploring these thoughts instead of just ignoring them was the right thing to do. Changing your plan doesn’t mean you’re giving up or settling, it actually makes you courageous. Author Shannon Adler once said:
“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.”
Maybe switching your major will add on a semester, or maybe even a year of classes. Yes, another year of lectures, exams, textbooks and papers. So what? What is one year compared to your whole life knowing you pursued what you are truly passionate about? If you think about it, it’s also another whole year of learning, exploring, finding yourself and meeting others along the way, and of course, limited responsibilities before becoming an adult.
You always hear your professors, mentors or even parents encourage you to pursue the things that might scare you. While to us it might seem overdone and cliché by now, they’re absolutely right. Trusting your instinct is one of the most important things I’ve learned so far in college. This has taught me a lot about myself and the things I want in life. Not because my parents want it, or because it’s what I am easily good at, but because I want to explore more than my initial interests as a freshman two years ago.
Yes, it's scary, but so is graduating with a degree that causes any feelings other than satisfaction, confidence, and opportunity. If you are considering, then talk to your advisor and professors. They will only give you honest feedback and help you every step of the way.
Most importantly, learn how to decide for yourself. It comes in handy as your start to slip your adult shoes on.
