Somewhere along the way being an art major started to be viewed as a bad thing or an unrealistic option. I, being an art and design major, am here to bust some of the common myths that go along with this stigma of pursing an art degree. Here is a list of a couple of the most common myths you hear about art majors.

Myth: Art majors aren't smart.

I had to get into college just like everyone else did. I had to show my ACT scores, transcripts and write essays just like everyone else. I have to take challenging core curriculum classes just like everyone else. I choose to be an art major because it is what I am most passionate about, not because I couldn't do anything else. I would also go as far to argue that being artistic takes intelligence. Shout out to Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences for stating that spatial-visual intelligence is in fact a thing.

Myth: We have it easy because we don't have to study for tests and write papers.

Wrong. I have had to study for plenty of extremely rigorous tests in my art history class. Memorizing all those artists and styles is not easy, my friend. I am also required to write several reflection papers on my art projects. Aside from that though, I might not spend as much time writing papers and studying but I make up for all that time with the ten hours or more I spend on my art projects. That being said, I spend just as much time on my work for class as any other major.

Myth: It's unfair I don't have to spend tons of money on textbooks.

This one actually just makes me laugh. While it is true I do not have to spend money on renting text books, I have to spend tons of money on art supplies. I don't know if you have stepped into a Michael's of Hobby Lobby recently, but art supplies are expensive. My supplies list could cost anywhere from $150 to $300 depending on the materials needed. So while, yes I do not have to rent that $75 text book for Business 101, I do have a $200 supplies list for Art 101.

Myth: Art majors are just setting themselves up for unemployment.

It is true I won't have as much job security as someone studying pharmacy and probably won't make as much money either. I, however, am not setting myself up for unemployment. There are plenty of jobs you can get with an art degree. Also, if you add a minor into the mix, your chances of getting a job in your field just increased. It's not impossible. I know that it's not going to be easy, but I would rather spend my days doing something I am passionate about than spending my day sitting in a cubical.

So there you have it -- being an art major is no joke. It's just as challenging and time consuming as any other major. So before you judge an art major or ask the question we all dread, "So what are you planning to do with that after college?," consider that we work just as hard as you and we are not setting ourselves up for failure. Art majors are passionate about their craft and major, and at the end of the day isn't that what college is all about? I found something I am passionate about and majored in it, and I hope you can say the same.