I started looking at majors when I was in my junior year of high school. My first instinct was to go with something that I was familiar with, but I didn't quite know what that was. I knew I'd always wanted to be a veterinarian since I was a little girl, but I felt I didn't have the commitment to six or more years of college. Not to mention the money, nor the heart to put an animal down.
I got discouraged and put off looking at majors until senior year. The only reason I started looking again was that I met a veterinary technician, this got me very excited and for a month I was excited and looking at colleges that had the program. Over a month or so the hype died down and I found myself looking at other majors again.
It wasn't until later that I took a tour of Pregnancy Helpline with my youth group that I got another idea. I looked into an associates degree as an ultrasound technician. However, this hype died when I found it was more than just showing mothers their baby. The idea of just two years of college stuck with me though.
I started to look at majors such as Dental Hygienist or Secretarial that only required two years. My philosophy was that if I became a stay at home mom, why waste four or more years at college? That was an awful, awful philosophy. So I began to convince myself to just settle, which is never a good idea.
About a month after that I was told by a mom at my church that I would make a good teacher. This idea was the one that stuck all the way into the first semester of sophomore year at EMU. I even made an appointment to declare education as my major. Yet still, this was not meant to be.
After talking with my advisor they confirmed something I'd known in the back of my mind, most schools are cutting art programs and if I wanted to teach creative writing, I'd be better off teaching it to college-aged students. I left the office that day feeling discouraged and still no major. I considered going for being a college professor but once again, the thought of being in school six or more years discouraged me.
I looked at it as if I'm going to go for my masters or doctorate degree, why not go for the Veterinary degree. I'd made a full circle and started considering transferring to MSU for vet school.
By the time that semester ended, the thought of being a vet had once again diminished and I was still undeclared.
The next major that caught my attention was art therapy. It was creative and I'd be helping people! Once again I was all for it, but EMU doesn't have a specific art therapy major, but they do have the amazing recreational therapy program. I immediately signed up for the 100 and 200 classes for it, thinking this was it and I'd found what I was meant to do.
I met one of my favorite professors in this class and even took her adapted aquatics class. By the end of the semester, however, my hype had once again died down and with a heavy heart I thanked my professor but told her I wasn't going to be pursuing recreational therapy.
I'd finished my sophomore year and still had no major. It was very frustrating and I shed a couple tears, thinking I'd never find something right for me. It was within the last few classes of my intercultural communications class that my friend delivered a speech that inspired me.
He talked about how he'd found himself discouraged at times in declaring his major and kept listening to what other people were telling him and not what his heart was telling him. He said he finally pushed aside all those other voices and declared his major to what he was passionate about.
I went home and made an appointment with a career coach without telling friends or my family. We talked for about an hour, I told her what I loved to do and eventually she gave me her recommendations for a major and minor. As soon as I got home from my appointment, I declared my major, once again without telling anyone.
As soon as it was declared, I ran out of my room and announced "I did it! I declared my major in written communications with a double minor in art and children's literature!" My parents were concerned that I'd done it on a whim, but I had never been so confident and excited. It was a huge relief as well to know I was finally on the right path, a path that would take me places.
I'd finally realized that it didn't matter what everyone else thought the decision was ultimately up to me! So for any incoming freshman or even for those still exploring majors, stop listening to others voices and listen to the passion inside of you. The world can be tough on your passions, but if it's something that you truly love to do, don't settle.
You can do anything you set your mind to and I believe that goes for everyone. So, I know it sounds cheesy, but follow your dreams! Do what you love and never, EVER, settle!
