“It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re 17 and planning for someday. And then, quietly and without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life.” –Nathan Scott, "One Tree Hill"

By the time you enter the second semester of your senior year in high school, you will have been asked about your college major approximately one million times (see: hyperbole…obviously, there’s no way for me to actually know how many times people get asked that. It’s probably much more).

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent a large portion of your high school career completely ignoring your impending future and focusing (far too much) on boys. Let me just say this: Not only did I plan my entire future around a boy I had not known that long and one that did not even stick around long enough for any of it to pan out, I missed out on a lot with all the time I spent on said boy. And when we finally ended, I was miserable, especially when it came to going to school. My first two semesters were the most boring, dreadful months of my academic life. I had always enjoyed learning, and even though I was stuck in gen eds, I wanted to like them, but I couldn’t seem to get out of my funk. It wasn’t until a few weeks into the fall semester of my sophomore year that I realized what was wrong: My major wasn’t the one for me. Sure, marketing had been great in high school and I had been great at it, and the research/analytics branch had the best “outlook” of any field I had researched, but I wasn’t excited to be a business major at all.

Once my problem was identified, I started working toward finding a new major. Fiddling through the program catalog on my school’s website, I pondered over degrees in paralegal studies, childhood development, and even parks and recreation (though, I assume I’d have been greatly disappointed when I realized the latter wasn’t at all like the sitcom). But I was stuck on my one true passion, the one thing that I had ever been good at and proud of: English. I’m only two days into my first semester as a Creative Writing major, but so far I’m thinking that I finally made the write choice (get it?).

So, what I’m trying to say is, picking a major is probably the most important choice you’ll make before you turn 20 (hopefully you can actually figure it out by then! If not, edit that sentence to fit your needs). There are a lot of things to consider when trying to choose what you want to study, as well as many myths about majors that need to be recognized.

When Choosing a Major

A Liberal Arts degree does not equal unemployment.

Many people will tell you that you’re insane for pursuing a Philosophy degree, but if that’s what you want to do, then do it! Odds are that you’re not going to actually be employed as a philosopher, but the beauty in liberal arts studies is that they teach you versatility and a wide range of subjects that you can apply to a wide array of different jobs. So no, grandma, I don’t know what I’m gonna do when I graduate. I could teach English, but I could also get involved in local government, editing, or even law. The possibilities are (virtually) endless.

The Most Valuable Majors In The U.S.

The Most Valuable Majors in the U.S. Okay, so you want a little job security. I get that, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just know that if you’re picking solely for the money, it may not work out as you hope (or it may. I’m not an all-knowing genie).

Pick something you can finish.

Unless you want to change your major a hundred times or make college your career, you should probably look for fields of study that you can actually do. For instance, math doesn’t come easy for me, therefore a mathematics degree was/is out of the question. This isn’t to say not to challenge yourself, but also don’t waste time on something that is too much for you.

Know that there is time.

You don’t have to go into college with a decided major, despite what your high school teachers are probably telling you. Though it’s a good idea, as it’ll help you stay on track, it is not essential to your first semester. However, know that eventually you’re going to have to pick one and that you’re only prolonging the inevitable. But take your time! Life is short (and long, if you survive), ya know?

Talk to advisers/people in potential majors.

I’m not gonna lie: I couldn’t bear to talk to the business office advisers about switching majors. In fact, I hadn’t even told my favorite professor/confidante that I had changed until I saw her at the grocery store wearing my pajamas, house slippers, and a towel on my head and felt the need to distract from my appearance (she told me to come see her when school started back, though I’m scared she’ll try to talk me into a business minor). Anyway, my final decision was made after I talked to a trusted English teacher from high school, who helped reassure me that I could do this. Seeking advice from people who’ve been in your shoes is one of the most important tools for life.

Good luck, seniors and other undecided college students! And congratulations for whenever you figure out what you want to do, if you ever do, because we all know that decision is eternally subject to change, and not easy to make.