In college, the first thing people ask you is "What is your major?" And while I am not invalidating questions about people's future because it is a great way to learn something about them, this insistence on the importance of this one factor of someone's life, I think, is problematic.
It is problematic because it discourages learning for interest and pursuit of hobbies. With constant reminders about the linear path that is perceived for you, many people feel uncomfortable with the idea of doing anything outside of their "specialty." The art of the hobby, or learning for the sake of learning and growth, have faded into obscurity. But doesn't mean it's not possible to do things for enjoyment.
For example, I am doing a lot more than history classes. I write on Odyssey, an outlet and personal growth outlet to work on my writing and creative skills and discipline. Also, I joined a dance club for the first time in a year. My initial answer when someone asks why I write on Odyssey is to rationalize it with a self-depreciating joke because for a long time I could find no simple answer. But the truth is that I do it simply because it is something that interests me, even if I have no future in writing or journalism.
Coming into my first year, honestly, I felt discouraged to join a dance club in college because I assumed that there would be no future in which I would need it. In a world motivated by security, I felt as if only the exceptional could pursue arts in any form.
This year, I am in a dance club again, and I am in it simply for the fun and outlet it gives me. I missed this lifelong interest of mine.
It is important to do hobbies. When you pick spending time doing something with no regard to your path or your resume, you are working hard at something motivated simply for your love of completing a task and your enjoyment doing the task itself. Happiness is a good enough reason to spend time doing something.
No longer will I continually shrug off my hobbies or in response to why I write for Odyssey stumble, "I started doing it less than a year ago, and I never felt like quitting something that takes so little of my time..." And while this is true, it diminishes the value that stretching your mind and body on new projects in different fields can help you grow. Life, especially in the liberal arts, is not linear, just as you are not only your major or future job. All parts of your personality do not have to fit under the umbrella of one subject or as prerequisites for a future job. Just because we are older does not mean we are no longer complete humans.
So have fun, practice creativity, and grow, because that's what your time in college, and more importantly in life, is all about.
