When I was searching for colleges, my plan was to become a Biochemistry major and be on a pre-medical track. With that in mind, I attended the pre-health informational meeting when I arrived on campus last Fall. I contacted the advisor and we quickly came up with a class schedule for the next four years of my life. However, as the year progressed I took to liking my Biology courses more than my Chemistry courses and struggled with the Calculus that was required by my major. This had me worried and I had a mini identity crisis.

I spent the Summer thinking over how I want to continue my education, I decided that a Biology major with a concentration in Public Health is the better option for me. I know Medical school isn’t the choice for me because I’m happier in a lab alone not trying to muster up a bedside manner. I don’t have a true desire to get a medical degree but I do want to work in a health related field.

I declared my major and concentration about a week ago. With this out of the way, I feel a sense of excitement for the next five and a half semesters. With my new advisor, I have someone who can assist me in getting internships and applying for graduate school when the time comes.

I also have a certain level of hesitation and worry about my academic future. What if I can’t afford to stay at Clark University? What if I end up changing my mind or regretting the decision I made? While I didn't jump into this decision, I certainly didn’t steer very much from my original plan. This decision impacts the rest of my life and as someone who avoids commitment as much as possible I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little uneasy.

I want to think this uneasiness is normal but I’m the first of my friends to declare so I can’t ask them how they feel. The Clark deadline to declare isn’t until the end of a student’s second year so the majority of my friends have another six months or so. I declared early because my old advisor didn’t know anything about the science offerings here and I wanted someone who is knowledgeable about courses and research opportunities.

Currently, I’m leaning towards getting my PhD in Biology or genetics and either doing research in the medical field or becoming a genetics counselor. Both fields are up and coming and would satisfy my need for continued learning and distaste for monotony. I don’t want to ever be okay with being the best in my field, I want to stretch myself in all aspects of my life. With it being the first semester of my second year here at Clark, I have time to think things through and continue to make plans and change plans. Declaring my major is only the first step towards my future.