I met up with one of my old high school friends this weekend. She entered college as a Business major. She's smart, capable, and interested in the subject, and she even interned at a local law firm.

But she misses her true calling: art.

So many students are constantly bombarded with, "Follow your passions, follow your dreams! Oh, but not that subject, that's not a real prospect. It won't lead to a real job." In the end, it comes down to choosing between your passions and choosing a "real" major.

This is a problem.

My roommate entered with a Psychology major, at first being truly interested in the subject, but after two months of school she has found out, unfortunately, she and psychology are not meant to be.

Currently, she's looking into other major options and while she knows her true hobby is fitness and health, she is so hesitant to pursue it as a major. She's thinking of switching to business.

Both of these two people are facing the dichotomy between pursuing their passions and facing "reality," but I beg to differ. If you go into a field just for the security, you might succeed, you might be okay, but you also might not be satisfied with your life. See the reality is, life is not just a job. Life is about personality, passions, relationships, and mental wellness.

And for those who think following their passions and interests in gender studies or sculpture will not and cannot produce a satisfactory income: that is completely false.

Yes, that path might be more strenuous and difficult and full of tears, but anything in life is going to need dedicated effort. You're going to need dedicated effort to graduate from a Business program or a Studio Arts program.

Isn't that dedication going to be so much easier if you're actually passionate about the subject?

Yeah, it's scary, it's different, but that does not mean in any way your passion is any less inferior to other paths.

And if you don't have one concrete subject you wish to pursue, well, isn't that what education is for?

Nothing will get done if you sit around waiting for things to come to you. Go out, dedicated yourself to your classes and clubs with an open mind, and I'm positive there will be something you love.

Trust me, you do not have to be an extrovert to find new connections and opportunities. Start small, just talking to your neighbor. Let your connections gradually grow until you are surrounded by those who support you.

Work your butt off for the thing you love to look back one day proud of your dedication. If life takes you another direction somewhere in the middle, then you can still look back proud of the effort and work you did put in.