"I want to study biology so I can become a doctor." I've heard this phrase upwards of a hundred times from prospective students at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. As a student worker at the Office of Admissions, I spend my time talking to students about general aspects of college, but also about their intended major and life aspirations.

I, myself, was one of these students entering college. Since middle school, I was determined to study neuroscience and become a doctor. I did absolutely everything in my power in high school to be accepted into a university where I could turn my dreams into a reality.

As a first-year student, I was "just another one of the freshman premeds" who spent all-nighters writing lab reports, spent too much time making flashcards, and did whatever I possibly could to build my resume. I joined premed groups on campus, volunteered at the hospital, and applied for jobs as a medical scribe around the Twin Cities, but all of my efforts felt pale in comparison to some of my peers who had similar aspirations as me.

Because of my peers, I saw something I lacked: passion. I saw a real enthusiasm towards the biological sciences. And while I was completing my assignments and studying out of spite to prove to myself I could do it, the curriculum simply wasn't as interesting to me as it was for my peers. Although I was still in the "weed out" courses during freshman year, I had already started to question whether the career path I had chosen was my calling.

And then on one Wednesday night in the spring semester of my freshman year, it hit me. I was sitting in a presentation from one of the medical school interviewers from the University of Minnesota, and he was discussing medical school applicants. He posed a question: why do you want to be a doctor?

Every student in the room had gleaming eyes as they explained the root of their passion to those around them. But me? I sat speechlessly. It was the first time someone had really ever asked me that question, and I honestly didn't have an answer.

The truth is, I didn't want to be a doctor. However, it felt as if the path had already been paved for me. Science teachers in grade school approached me after ending their classes stating, "if you don't pursue a career in science, you're doing a disservice to the world."

And after being extremely interested in the biology class and the dissection portion of human anatomy and physiology courses, parents, peers, and teachers made it seemed destined for me to become a doctor.

But the thing is about medical school is you have to really want it. You have to possess a purpose and a drive to power you through nights at the lab and the study sessions. The answer shouldn't be, "because I like science." It's more than that.

"My brother had three open heart surgeries when he was younger, so I really want to go into cardiology so I can help people just as the doctors helped me."

"I watched my grandparents die from cancer, so I want to become an oncologist."

"Observing my mother's battle with depression pushed me to become a psychiatrist."

I just knew I wanted to help people in some way, and becoming a doctor just seemed like the default option. And when you're in this position, you become so incredibly terrified to admit to yourself and everyone else who believed in you, that maybe you made the wrong decision.

Medical school wasn't for you. So when I announced I was dropping the pre-med program to pursue different interests, I was hit with an unexpected backlash by peers.

I was told I was taking the easy way out, and I was settling for a different career because I didn't have the aptitude to become a doctor.

Maybe they were right, but it was much more than that. I wanted to skip the innumerable years of schooling. I didn't want to spend all of my time being on call for the hospital. I knew I wanted to be present for my future family. I didn't switch my major because I wasn't smart enough.

I switched my major because after realizing my future goals, becoming a doctor didn't align with the values and the life I imagined for myself.

So to the student who has always dreamt of medicine, it's okay if you change your mind. It's okay if you don't become the next Meredith Grey. Because without passion and persistence, you'll lose the drive it takes to become a truly incredible medical professional.

And if you're not giving your absolute best to your career, why pursue it at all?