Yes, TRF Is A Real Major
My homework may be to watch movies, but it's still homework.
I understand that many people don't consider watching numerous movies a week your typical homework, but for me it is. Here at Syracuse University, I'm a Television, Radio, and Film (TRF) major. When I announced I was going to Syracuse I was still undecided but in the school of communications. I went undecided because I couldn't decide between photography or TRF, but a lot of people at home didn't understand that.
My grandparents always had big dreams for their grandkids. However, those dreams were always something like a doctor or lawyer, something to achieve the parts of the American dream they never fully did. Unfortunately, when they found out I wanted to go into communications they became worried. I don't regret my choice of my major at all, I'm actually kind of obsessed with it, but it's not easy hearing everyone talk down about your major.
Some people were less concerned when they heard I was going to Syracuse, who has one of the top communication programs in the country. My grandpa's reaction quickly changed when he was able to tell his friends his granddaughter would be a Newhouse student. I couldn't imagine the reactions I would have gotten if I had chosen a smaller or lesser-known school, I don't know if I would have felt as proud as I did.
Which is pretty surprising, because if you know me then you know I never shut up about TRF.
I love my major, but it's hard when people think all I do is watch TV and never do real work. I've spent plenty of late nights on set, analyzing films, or trying to figure out the next scene in my script. There's just as much work in my major as any other major.
Maybe the confusion is because I'm still unsure as to where I want to go with my degree. I don't have a focus yet, or a clear end goal, but I know I've loved every TRF class I've taken so far, so at least I'm in the right major.
