The first week of college is full of icebreakers and meeting new people.

Every day, multiple times a day, you are forced to share your name, major, and a fun fact about yourself. I know what you're thinking; what's worse than trying to come up with a fun fact about yourself? Well, I have an answer for you; sharing your major.

It happens a lot your senior year of high school. It happens at graduation parties, and it happens when you come home for the homecoming football game or when you run into an old middle school teacher of yours. The first thing they ask you is, "how is college going?" or "are you ready for college?" followed by "what's your major again?"

And like many first-year college students, you are intimidated to tell them because you know the reaction- you've gotten it all year and all summer.

"Wow, that's hard." "That's a lot of schooling." "Are you sure you'll be able to handle all of that work?" "Becoming a Veterinarian is hard work." "Medical school is tough to get into." "Engineers have to be really good at math." "Psychology is not a growing field and you won't find a job." "Business is too general and you need to find something specific to major in."

I know.

I know, I know, I know.

I know a lot about my major. I have researched it, ran degree audits, researched it some more, and talked to countless advisors for my major.

I know what my major or future plan entails. I know that I'm going to have to work very hard in college, as a college student should. I will probably end up changing my major ten more times in this next semester alone, but yes, I will still know what I am required to do with each and every one of them.

You may not realize it, but you are shrinking our confidence. You are putting in our heads that we can't do something that deep down we know we are perfectly capable of doing. Trying to figure out what you want to do with your life is hard enough without someone questioning your ability to do that certain thing.

So whether you're a parent, a grandparent, a friend, an old teacher, or just someone catching up, change the way you speak to us college students. We are at the point in our lives where everything is changing.

We are trying to figure out the ins and outs and ups and downs of being an adult. We have advisors and professors to tell us what our future plan will consist of with what path we choose to take. Next time you ask about our majors, and our plans, try a new strategy. Try telling us that it's something you picture us doing. Try telling us that it sounds interesting and you're happy we've found something we're passionate about. Quit shaming college majors.