As an incoming freshman into college, I thought I had everything figured out. From the day I was practically born, I wanted to pursue biology as my college major. All of my friends and family had only seen me as “the biology major”, so thinking about anything else was an extremely foreign concept. I had never had a reason to question anything about my major or furthering my education; I was going to major in biology as my undergraduate degree, go to veterinary school, and eventually become a Critical Care Veterinarian. In fact, I was under the impression that those who changed their major were unorganized and sloppy. This seemingly harmless idea had become my entire identity. What I wasn’t aware of for so many years was how toxic this state of mind is. I never once considered anything besides a biology major because that is what I thought I was meant to be.
Fast forward to late November of my first semester of college and I’m miserable. I am stressed, I am sad, and all I want to do is quit. I know in the back of my mind that dropping out of college isn’t going to solve my problems, if not create more, but I am at the end of my metaphorical rope. I understood the content, I just didn’t care anymore. I found it nearly impossible to care about DNA sequences or thermodynamics. It was as if the information was going in through one ear and out the other and it was incredibly exhausting.
There was always one class that made me happy; English 101. I loved analyzing texts and writing responses. I found myself skipping biology lectures to work on my English papers to perfect them. I never missed a class and I was always on time. This is the environment in which I thrived the most. Although it did take me up until late November to decide the English department is where I belonged, it felt like all of my problems had disappeared. It was nerve-wracking going to my advisor and telling her I was leaving the College of Science and Mathematics, but in the end advisors want what’s best for you. Your advisor isn’t going to scream in your face for you doing what makes you happy because they want to help, that’s the whole point of advising!
Switching my major has been the best thing I have done for myself thus far. I feel like I can finally be myself without fear of judgement and express myself the way I want. If you’re considering switching your major, but have a few reservations, I was in your place at one point as well. It’s scary being so sure that your life was going to be one way and then finally getting to that place and realizing it’s all wrong. The important part is that you recognize that change is okay and normal. Your family won’t hate you, your friends won’t be disappointed, and in the end they really just want what will make you happiest! It’s a bit frustrating to be back to square one after what feels like your entire life knowing what you want to do for a living, but if you’re happy in your major then the rest will come easy. Of course, don’t change your major out of impulse. Attempt talking it out with a family member, a close friend, or even your advisor for a second opinion. In the end, it is YOUR future, not theirs and they will love you always.
