“Ugh! I just wish I could be an education major”, says the Chemistry major. Then, why? Why aren’t you an education major? Sure, there are times as a chem-bio major, I wish I did not have to memorize the anatomy of a rat, or sit through two hour lectures on calculus. But guess what? I signed up for this, and so did every other STEM major. If you feel the need to use your major as a source of entitlement, news flash: you are pursuing the wrong degree. Let’s end the belittling here people!

Why do we assume their lives are easier?

I know my education major pals have to wake up MWF at 7AM to go to field to tutor students. I am not sure how many STEM majors out there would want a chemistry lab at 7AM, but personally I do not. From the start of their first year, these students are already immersed in their future work while also managing the everyday demands of school. This is only to be topped off with listening to the, “education majors have it so easy”, comments being made left and right. Handling the everyday stresses and nonsense from other majors does not seem like an easy nor enjoyable task to me.

Why do we assume they are less intelligent than us?

I will be the first person to agree that our classes are different, and while some require more “book work” than others, this does NOT mean the people taking the education classes are any less intelligent than us. Their passion is not solving the quadratic formula, it is finding ways to teach our children how to read and write. They are pursuing their passion and do not deserve to be belittled in the process. I perform better in math and science classes, teaching someone how to read? Definitely not in my skill set nor evokes a passion of mine. And this is OKAY! We are all finding our strengths and weaknesses, and the classes we take along the way will differ in difficulty, but that does not determine one’s intelligence level. What truly defines great intelligence (and some courage), are those who are willing to do everything they possibly can to live the best and happiest life, according to their own standards.

Why do we assume what they are learning is less important?

Um, hello, wake up people! These are our future educators! They are going to be cultivating the minds of the youth, and our children some day. The impact these people will have on the youth is insane and it is important we value this. Do you remember that favorite teacher you had in elementary school? The one that you will always remember, always made school fun, and reminded you a little of your parents? Yeah, now try and think that their work is not important. Who would we be without all of the teachers who shaped us into who we are. Personally, I would not want to know that version of myself.

I admire all of my friends and classmates in all of their majors, regardless of how many hours in the laboratory or library they have to put in, they are pursuing their dreams and exploring their passions and talents. To me, that is what college is truly about.