Before going to college, I was set on majoring in a theater-related field so I could focus on Stage Management. When it came time to actually pick a major for the purposes of registering for classes, I chose New Media because it was something that had also fascinated me for a while. During my first week at college, after taking a four-hour programming class and trying to understand what New Media actually was, it occurred to me that New Media wasn't meant for me either. The Add/Drop period ended on Friday and it was Thursday when I realized I had to make a change. Fast.
That morning, I looked through the majors offered at my college, and stopped at Psychology. It was something that had always interested me, but I'd never taken many classes. Now was the time to start. College is about finding your way, and since we're paying for our education, we have the opportunity to change what we don't like. That same day, I was registered as a Psychology student and taking all new classes, classes which actually sounded interesting.
Starting on Monday, I began attending classes that would count toward my Psychology major, and I couldn't have been happier. Here at Purchase, we are known for the arts, and while the science program is great, it is often overlooked. With so many Dance, Theater, and Film majors, I found myself as seemingly the only person majoring in a non-arts-related field among my friends. Unlike before when almost all of my homework consisted of doing arts and technology related projects, I now have a lot of reading and writing assignments, and I love it.
Here at Purchase, the arts are taken extremely seriously, and that's something I admire about this college. In fact, it's one of the main reasons I came. At the same time, I think it's important to note that the entire college isn't dedicated to the arts, and we need to simultaneously respect the science majors, math majors, and everyone in between. Why would I come to a college so focused on the arts to study science? Follow up question for those who ask, why does it matter? As with any college, certain programs are going to be better than others, but I love how although so many people study arts; the science and math programs are equally as incredible. I came to Purchase because I love the college, and I major in Psychology because I love Psychology. Put those two together and I'm as happy as can be.
I have a deep respect for any arts majors, whether they be filmmakers, lighting designers, or visual artists, but I realized early on that it wasn't for me. There are many different influences, both internal and external, that have an impact on what we choose to study, but in the end, it's what makes us happy that matters most. At the end of the day, we're responsible for the tuition, getting good grades, and having the best 4 years of our lives. If there's anything we have control over that we can change to make us happier, I say go for it! Why be unhappy with your work when you could love every second?
