Deciding to attend college was one of the biggest decisions I ever made. I knew that I wanted to further my education and eventually graduate with a Ph.D. down the road. I came into college set on the idea that I wanted to go into the medical field, specifically forensic pathology. I was excited and ready to tackle it head on. That excitement and enthusiasm wore off pretty quickly. I struggled through my biology class and the thought of taking so many math courses scared the living hell out of me. I tried to hang on and push through, but after my first year I realized that maybe I should switch things up.
I have always loved English. As a kid, I would read through a handful of books a week. I used to spend afternoons after school at my hometown’s library. My passion for reading eventually fueled my fondness of writing. All of this moved me to make the decision to pursue and education in English. Well, soon after I decided to combine my interests in feminism and sexuality with my enthusiasm for English. I am now a Humanities and Social Thought major, who has three minors. Even though I have a bunch of stuff that I know I have to finish, I still know that this was the best decision for me.
The truth is that I went into college wanting to please others and make others proud. I thought that not many people would understand why I made such a huge switch in concentrations; that I would be bombarded with pressure to go back into premed. These thoughts troubled me when I first switched majors. It turns out that all of my far-fetched and worrisome thoughts were not exactly true. When I told my family and friends, I got way more support than I had expected. Of course, I had the few who still wanted to persuade me into going back to what I had willingly left behind. They soon realized that my mind was set, and eventually gave up.
It has taken me a while to realize that sometimes you have to do what feels right for you. As we all get older we have to start making a multitude of decisions. It could be deciding if it is time to get a new car, move into a new home, or if spending half of your last ten dollars at Taco Bell is really worth it. All of the decisions that influence your future, especially what you pursue in college, should be your own. Don’t waste your time listening to others tell you that your choice is wrong, because it really is not. It is what you believe is best for you. Switching majors can be a pain and so many people label it as a horrible idea. However, if you are unhappy and know that your heart lies somewhere else, then switch. You may have to stay in school a little longer, but would you rather end up with a job in a field you enjoy or be miserable for the rest of your life doing a job you despise? Trust me, the fact that I am stuck in school longer than I want to be is irritating. I know that in the end it will pay off. Take the path you want to take, do what is right for you, and follow your dreams. You are the only one who can create your happiness.
