So, it feels like just yesterday you were starting your senior year of high school and had plenty of time to figure out what you wanted to do with your life, but now, here you are an upperclassman in college and you are second - guessing on the major you truly want to pursue. When we were little, it didn’t scare us when people asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
A simple answer such as, “I want to be an astronaut!” or “I’m gonna be the President one day!” would suffice. Now, here we are all grown - up and cringe at the thought of going back home and everyone bombarding us with questions about school and our plans for the future. Truth is some of us may know exactly what we want to do in the future, but some of us still can’t even decide between what shows to watch on Netflix - and that’s okay.
As I am entering my junior year of college, I myself am beginning to stress about the future. As a criminal justice major and someone who wants to become a crime scene investigator, I know how it can feel to second guess yourself because of the chances of getting a job in the field you desire. Did I pick the right major? Is this really what I want to do? Will I end up unemployed? In fact, I did change my major after freshman year from psychology to criminal justice, so, I know how it feels to be indecisive about the future.
Many of us feel pressured to know exactly what we want to major in before we start college. Countless times,I have heard fellow peers say, “I only picked [insert major here] because I know I’ll have a secured job once I graduate.” I’ve also heard peers talk about how they changed their major because of people repeatedly telling them that it would be hard getting a job with such and such degree. Others simply pick a certain major to fulfill their parents’ expectations. Yeah, I get it, you want to be successful, as do I, but don’t let success come at the cost of your happiness.
As Albert Schweitzer once said, “success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
So, some of us might feel as if once choosing our major, it is set in stone and there’s no second-guessing it or looking back. This is not true and it’s OKAY to change your major if you feel passionate about a different career. We are still young and have some room for trial and error. Yeah, it might take you an extra year or two to graduate, some of us graduate in four years and some of us in six, but what’s an extra year or two in exchange for a lifetime of happiness, along with success, and no regrets? One of the most common regrets people may have is not doing what they love to do. So, if you’re currently one of those people who is indecisive about their major or afraid of the future, don’t stress about it. Simply find what makes you happy, pursue it passionately, and success will come along the way. If you ever began to have doubts or need that extra push just blare, “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey and remember this:
“When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit---rest if you must,
But don’t you quit.”
-Edgar A. Guest
