Three Signs You Should Change Your Major

Assuming that 99.9% of articles published on the Odyssey this week will involve the Trump, I decided to at least spare Facebook from one more rant on the (highly unfortunate?) outcome of this election. Around this time of year just one year ago, I made the decision to switch majors from Science to English, and after realizing how content I am to finally be studying and pursuing things that I enjoy, I figured I could help a few fellow students with this major dilemma.

1. You find yourself crying into your textbooks far too often

Scene: A girl slowly slides off of the couch and crumples down onto the living room floor. She rests her head in her hands, as a single tear trickles from the corner of her eye onto the pages of her book. It seems as though a tragedy has taken place: perhaps a messy breakup of some sort or a death in the family. Unfortunately, this heartbreak has been caused by her simple inability to understand problem number 24 in her organic chemistry workbook and this type of trauma actually occurs on a weekly basis. True story. This tear-jerking account reveals the importance of drawing a line between pushing yourself to do something you are capable of and understanding when to back away from something you either just hate to do or simply suck at doing. Four years of undergrad science is likely to turn into four more years of graduate or medical school and probably more school after that because doctors seem to stay in school for infinite amounts of time, right? So, to save yourself from further grief, if you hate studying the majority of your major’s material, quit while you’re ahead.

2. You consistently ask yourself: what will my parents/friends/professors think?

In a society that prioritizes success and approval from others; it can be difficult to let go of other people’s opinions, let alone genuine concerns.

“But you’ve always been good at science”

“Just stick with it, it’ll pay off in the end”

“Okay but what are you actually planning on doing with an English degree?”

When others give you grief, just remind yourself that your opinion is the only one that matters. If you consistently feel unhappy studying whatever you are studying, changing your major isn’t taking the easy way out, it’s allowing yourself to explore something you’re actually passionate about. Even if living out your passion means a smaller future salary and a few years of uncertainty after graduation, it’s better than a lifetime of "what-ifs."

3. You overthink it

I have spoken with countless graduates who are doing something completely different from what their college major entails, and many are doing something much different than what they had originally planned as a freshman. Not only should this provide breath of relief if you feel confined by career paths outlined in college catalogues, but it should inspire you to study and pursue what fascinates you rather than what looks good. Of course it is important to prepare for a future professional career by applying for internships and building connections; however, those opportunities are more likely to naturally and quickly arise from hard work that you enjoy. I recently read an article suggesting that more and more companies are hiring liberal arts majors for high paying jobs in areas that they aren’t technically “qualified” for, because they are usually well rounded with a learned ability to communicate effectively. Don’t overthink it: if your strength is creativity, do things that engage the side of you that longs to create, and share it. Don’t stress too much, and trust that the rest will sort itself out.