When I started college I had it all figured out, I was going to get a double degree in English and Education. That was going to get me to my goal of being a high school English teacher. It was going well, really well actually, but then I remembered what it was like working with preschoolers. I missed that, so I switched to Human Development. I had changed my mind for the first time since I was six.

So what am I graduating with this coming year?

Sociology major with a double minor in Political Science and Writing.

How on earth did I get so far away from my original plan?

Well I discovered classes, and myself. I learned about what made me feel alive and passionate. I had gone through a discovery process and realized a conventional line of work was not going to make me happy. One of my best friends recently told me she couldn't imagine me being in a 9-5 job for the rest of my life. She's right. I would hate that.

I think that when you get to college there is this expectation to get everything done for that one job you have in mind. You have a mental checklist.

Well for some that works. Not for everyone though.

There are some majors where you need to take certain classes at times and you have to have a checklist to survive. That is totally fine. The thing is if you don't know what you want to do then try out other things. There is no reason to force yourself into a box at this time in your life. You should be learning about the world and yourself. You need to learn what matters to you, what careers there really are, and what you want to strive for.

It took one sociology class for me to realize I needed to study that. My minors were passions of mine that I found complimentary to my sociology courses, and now when I graduate I have a vague degree that can be applied broadly to many different jobs. That is what I needed. Granted my real goal is to be an author one day, I do not regret my major. I don't regret changing it three times either.

My advice for incoming freshman is to start off undeclared. I know that might make you feel as if you have no purpose, but it's the opposite. Your purpose is to find your passion.

Now for those going into engineering and medical/science fields I recommend taking the broad classes and then picking a certain field to go into. You could think mechanical is the way to go, but then realize you like electrical better. You just never know.

For those who know exactly what major and exactly what degree they want, I am happy for you. All I have to say is that if you do change your mind, try to trust yourself. I had a hard time letting go of the teacher thing, but I realized that while it was my dream, I found a new one, and that is okay as well.

Your major does not define you. You define your major.