"You think you've got a lot to do? I have this..."

"I don't get why you're stressing, all you have is..."

"You're so lucky you only have a project, I have..."

I've heard it a thousand times. The comparison of majors across college campuses is not only frustrating, it's degrading. Students are constantly emphasizing the stereotypes, that art majors won't get a job, science majors are guaranteed a high salary. "What will you do with a communications major?" "Teaching won't make much money."

It needs to stop.

Everyone is different. Each individual has grown up loving certain things and hating others. I have never prospered at math, it's something I've struggled with all my life and I don't believe I will ever truly enjoy it - but I admire the people who do. I am more inclined to write a story, photograph an image or act on a stage, something that people have told me they could never do either. I could never imagine being a nursing major, because aside from the fact I feel queezy merely getting shots, I do not have the commitment and strength to do what they do. And the same goes the other way. They may not care to hear people's stories or photograph them in order to capture something beautiful.

Why appreciate one major over another? Either way, someone is doing something they love or something they believe they can be successful doing as a career.

I look at my brother: a media arts and design major who has a determination to be successful in marketing and spends his classes creating ad campaigns for major companies. A passion for advertising is not something I have, but I observe how much effort he puts into his projects. I know for a fact that he will thrive in L.A. this summer because of his determination ignited by marketing.

I look at my friend, Catherine: an interdisciplinary studies major who plans to become an elementary school teacher. Every year at JMU, I have seen her fall more and more in love with the career that she was completely meant to have. Whether it's creating a lesson plan for her class or forming a craft for the students to make, I know she works hard and enjoys every minute of it. In the two short weeks that I was an IDLS major, I questioned a lot if I had the patience and love for children that I know Catherine has. As much as I enjoy babysitting and spending time with kids, it wasn't my calling, and it is quite obvious that it is Catherine's.

I look at my friend, Nick: a biology major who plans to become a doctor. Our majors are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. He's taken numerous labs already as a freshman, all with the goal of becoming someone who can save lives. I've taken several writing and photography classes during my two years at college, all with the goal of becoming someone who can capture lives. I respect his major and he respects mine, and we both know we will do amazing things with our degrees.

Every person is different and has a passion for different things, and whether their aim is to become an astronaut or an interior decorator, an actor or a physical therapist, they're doing what they love. To me, that's the most important thing.