The hardest decision in college is choosing your emphasis of study. Sitting and wondering what will happen to you after you graduate can be hard to swallow. It wasn’t until I started my first semester that I realized that I had taken the wrong route. As I sat around at home I yearned to work with music, but once I entered the major, I quickly learned that this was not the route I wanted to take.

There is a difference between interest and career strengths. This means that if you like to take care of animals on your free time but are knowledgeable in history, you should possibly consider being a history major instead of a veterinarian. A lot of things can change these factors though. Some people become incredibly lucky and have a hobby where they can put forth their immense knowledge on their hobby.

I became very stubborn at first and would not listen to anyone or myself about my major. I felt like I would be betraying every fiber in my being if I were to switch out of this major. I had felt as if though I would lose my musicianship because of the stigma that would be placed after leaving. I sensed that people would consider me lazy after jumping into something I thought I loved and then leaving.

I considered my strengths and weaknesses while deciding what to change my major to. Although I felt very knowledgeable about music, I felt more comfortable in writing. I began to realize that I could hone my skill of writing and use it for the real world. I looked at music as more as an “If.” Nothing was ever certain when it came to that major.

I did my research about the degree and came to the conclusion that it could help me once I graduated. Since music and writing are placed under the same category as “artistic,” I was fortunate enough to stay in this same realm as I realized what I defined as my strength and my hobby.

Sometimes it is hard to accept that what you love may not work for you in college. The worst feeling is leaving the major that got you interested in college in the first place. A lot of people I encountered asked me “Why would you drop it if you loved it?” The things we enjoy on the weeknights can't magically turn into a full-time job.

I have come to accept the fact that my love for music will be a side job for me. I will incorporate it throughout my schedule but it won't be my emphasis of study. It was the most defeating thing once I began to understand that.

This doesn't mean you should give up. I will not cut music out of my life cold turkey. I believe there was a reason that it never worked out as a major. If you’re in the same boat as me, I believe that whatever you love to do will come back to you in a different opportunity. Your college major does not define you, it is what you bring into the world that does.