I remember being told that the typical college student changes their major around four times throughout their college career. I remember believing that I wouldn't be the typical college student; I was going to go into college with a major and come out with the exact same one. My goal was to get a degree as soon as possible, not linger around in college longer than I needed too.

That was before I changed my major the first time... within my first semester of school. I am now in the first semester of my second year of college, and I am on my third major.

The idea of changing your major in college can be terrifying. It comes with a lot of nervousness about not graduating on time and having to spend an extra year of tuition. Student loans aren't cheap, but neither is your future.

The end goal of college is to get a degree, but in something that you are going to be proud of. End up with a job that you wake up to in the mornings excited to go to, not one that you end up at because you went through college doing something that you didn't love.

When I changed my major for the second time, I did it for me. I went from a biology major to pre-dental, to journalism with a minor in fashion.

As you can see, my major change was a huge leap, just as any major change will be. It was the scariest thing going from a science major to journalism since the classes don't relate at all.

But I knew that journalism is where my heart stood, so it was something that I had to do for me. If you know where your passion lies and it's not where you are right now, it is something that you should do for yourself.

I was lucky enough to not be very behind on any of my classes, and you would be surprised to find out that you probably aren't either.

Talk to your advisor and see where you stand, and they will help you with the process of doing what you love, what fits you. Either way, if changing your major causes you to have to take a couple of extra classes, be okay with it. An extra semester in college is better than a lifetime of being unsure.

It is also important to acknowledge what you want, not what the world wants for you. If you are only in your major because you know it is reliable, or because someone told you it was the right thing for you, but you know that it isn't where you want to be, don't be afraid to change it!

That's where I stood.

I had to learn that my dreams were more important than my fears and that what I want for myself is ultimately more important than what others want for me.

I have always seen myself in a big city covering events and writing articles for major magazines, but I decided that I was going to settle for something that wasn't as scary to think about.

Something that wasn't my dream. Until one day, I just decided that I wasn't going to settle.

My point in writing this is to tell you that of all the things I have discovered thus far in college, the most important has been finding a major that I am happy to be in. I was stressed and broken down my entire first year of college, and even though I am only mid-semester within my new major, I am the happiest I have ever been.

I know that I made this decision for me, and I know that I love what I am doing. I am passionate about it, and I see a future end goal with where I am now. I didn't see these things before.

You don't have to be afraid to take a leap. What you love and what is going to make you happy 10 years from now is what is most important. If that isn't in the major you are currently in, it's okay to change it.

If you are a sophomore in college as I am or a senior who realizes they are graduating in something they don't love, take a step back.

I know it is much scarier for someone who has already gone through all four years of college, but if you don't love what you are doing I think this is something you will appreciate rather than regret.

That stage will still be there in the future, the only difference is a diploma in something that you are passionate about will be waiting at the end.

Follow your dreams, do what you love, and make yourself proud.

I would rather change my major over and over again and end up in a career that makes me happy than to end up in a career that makes me unhappy whenever it is too late.