In the past year of college, I have had a revelation of sorts. I decided to change my major from Health Science-Respiratory Therapy to Biology- Plant Sciences, and it has been the best decision that I have made since moving to college. Health Sciences was simply not for me and I admit that this was a difficult decision to make. By going with respiratory, I was guaranteeing myself a lucrative career but I never really stopped to ask myself if medical was what I really wanted to do.
Like a lot of people, I was just going along with it because of the money and job security. Don't get me wrong, I know plenty of college students majoring in health-related fields and they absolutely love it. I admire them for having the courage to choose a field that requires so much mental and emotional strain and doing it wholeheartedly. I feel confident that if you truly love your chosen field, as they do, then all of the sleepless nights spent pouring over textbooks will be worth it. That is why I chose to switch, and if you are second guessing your major then don't be afraid of changing paths.
Choose a major that you can see yourself having a career in.
This may seem a little obvious, but you would be surprised at the number of people who only choose a field because of money or other benefits. I understand that financial security is extremely important, but if you absolutely despise going to work every day is the money really worth it?
Look for opportunities of growth.
Whatever field you end up in, please, make sure that you have opportunities to expand yourself and your education. Walking into the same situation for 20 years, doing the same work you have always done will get monotonous. Try to find new interests in your field. It may be a management position, assisting in a project, or even kick-starting a program you have an idea for. Do not let yourself become bored, look for ways to constantly push yourself to be involved.
Understand that you are not going to enjoy every single class you take.
If you are a science major, Chemistry may be the bane of your existence, but you still have to take that class. Try looking at the big picture instead of focusing on school by the semester, a degree takes years, but that class will only last a few months.
College is not for everyone, and that is okay.
This deserves a whole article by itself, but I felt it was important to include it in this one. In the past few decades college age, students have been force fed the idea that in order to be successful you have to have a degree. Luckily, this pattern has begun to change as employers are now seeing an increased need for skilled laborers. Unfortunately, the stigma of "only the best go to college" still exists, but understand blue collar does not mean broke idiot. The men and women who fill these position are smart, reallysmart, and they deserve the utmost respect for the work that they do. If college is not for you, find a field that interests you and work at it.
If you are uncomfortable with the major you have chosen, or even if college is right for you, do not be afraid to explore other options. At the end of the day, it is your life, and you have to decide what will make you the happiest.
