Ever since I first decided to go away to a four-year university, I was bound and determined to obtain a degree that would ensure me a secure and lucrative career. My mother had worked in the medical field my entire life, and I was certain this was the best route for me.

When I arrived on campus at Eastern Illinois as a freshman, I was a biological sciences major aspiring to be a physical therapist. I had no real reason for wanting this career besides my positive research and the financial promise. Despite my minimal desire, I was sure this was the path for me.

Boy, was I wrong.

Many people will tell you it is perfectly acceptable to begin college without a declared major. I thought they couldn’t have been more wrong. I believed that having a chosen path and seemingly “having it all together” was a sure fire way to get where I wanted to go. After changing my major three times, I have since learned a valuable lesson.

After two and a half years of pre-med coursework, completing prerequisites, and being admitted to nursing school, I changed my mind.

I had become highly involved in several student leadership activities on campus, and quickly learned I had a passion for student leadership and development. I found that I could spend countless hours in the activities offices without feeling like I worked a minute. I would even spend entire days lost in meetings, conversations, and programming only to go home in the late hours of the night to remember a test that was only a few hours away. I was completely immersed in my involvement and became fearful of leaving it all behind for a career as a nurse. After many conversations with my advisors, coworkers, and friends, I realized I was never going to feel fulfilled with my previously chosen path.

But it was already set in place. I had a defined path, and to completely change it as a first semester junior could completely throw my professional life off track. I had to make a decision between what I’d always known and what I knew I really wanted. The unknown terrified me, and I was ready to move forward with my path as planned because of my fears and hesitations.

That would have been the BIGGEST mistake of my life.

I realized that I could spend my life in a secure career that I could possibly learn to enjoy, or I could rewrite my story to include a career, that I would love, as a student affairs professional. I quickly realized that my “plan” was preventing me from doing what I knew was best. My fear of failure was inhibiting my happiness. In the end, I made the decision that was best for me, and I have never been happier.

I don’t think they tell you that it is okay to have an undeclared major in the beginning because of lack of faith in your ability to make decisions, but because it gives you the opportunity to be open to change. Being open to any possibility can lead to finding your true passions. Always remember, never let the fear of striking out keep you from pursuing your dreams.