Growing up, people usually had a basic understanding of what they wanted to do in life. I was no different.

At the age of five, I wanted to be a secret agent. Not just any secret agent, though. I wanted to be like a secret agent in the hit movie, "Cats and Dogs.:

By the age of 7, I wanted to be in a band. I wanted to be the mysterious guitarist.

Then by the age of 13, I wanted to be a bassist. My inspiration was Mikey Way.

But by the time I got around the age of 16, I had no idea what I wanted to do in life. At this time, everyone was discovering their future majors, what college they were going to, and playing their entire life out. Me? I had just got a job and I was still deciding if I wanted to spend my money on clothes or Taco Bell.

Senior year hit a little bit later. The pressure was on now. Everyone was discussing their colleges, their majors, prom, all that fun stuff. I was silent. At this point, I had no idea what I wanted to be in life. No idea of a major or anything.

Then I had my interview with my current college. I was asked if I had any interests in what my major was. I replied with a sharp and quick answer, "No."

I was returned with a nod and a talk of all the great major programs my school would offer. That was reassuring. So OK, one thing was checked off the list: College.

This, however, only worsened the concerns of everyone around me. The major talks grew longer, more constant. Every undeclared student has some of this talks..

"Amber, you like history. How about that?"

OK, yes I like history but what can I do with that? Having extreme social anxiety and being a teacher doesn't add up.

"Amber, you like psychology, what about that? That's interesting!"

Yeah, sure that's interesting, but I'm too stubborn to listen to someone's issues. I got some of my own.

"Amber, you like criminal justice, maybe you should be a lawyer?"

I cry whenever I argue, can you imagine me in a court room?

"Amber, you have to choose. Time is counting down."

I know.

If you think you're helping an undeclared student by telling them they need to choose, you're not.

We know we have to choose, and trust me, it's nerve wracking.

You're expected to choose your major in high school. But in high school, you're told you don't know anything because you're just a teenager.

You're expected to sit in class and listen, because you're a student. Of course, that's fine. But you're just a teenager when selecting your major. You're just a student when you have to cross out other options and choose your own.

You can't make someone choose something so serious in such a short amount of time. The typical human life span currently is 71 years old, I've only been around for 18 years of that. I have no idea about anything so soon.

To put this in perspective, say you're going to watch a movie with a friend. Your friend puts the movie on ahead of time, and you're not ready. You do want to watch the movie though, you've made it clear. But you're still preparing for it, and the movie is already going. Your friend is rushing you to watch the movie, and now you're panicking.

"Hurry up! It's starting!!"

You try to say you're not ready just yet, you will be soon, but just not yet.

"Hurry up!"

You exclaim you're trying, but it takes time. They still don't get it yet. Now everyone is panicking because you're not ready. But you know you will be, soon.

In my experience as being an undeclared student, the noise is fake. Being undeclared is a blessing in disguise. Quietly, you knock out all of your general education courses while others jump into their major's classes. Silently, you get the world view in your hands from hearing other's speak out their majors.

Also, you have time to join clubs and meet new people.

In my case, this is where I discovered my major.
(Gasp... I'm no longer undeclared, actually.)

Do you want to know why I'm no longer undeclared? Because I let my major come to me.

I discovered my major while sitting in an oval desk, surrounded by others who had one interest-- writing. Knowing I had a passion for writing, I joined the school newspaper. This is where I found myself comfortable, sitting and spouting out ideas as they were scribbled onto a white board. A room full of hopeful and vibrant people, I felt overwhelmed and energetic, a feeling your major should always give you.

It hit me unexpectedly and hard. It felt like magic.

The next day, I took a trip over to academic advising and signed up for my major, communcations, digtal media track.

In conclusion today folks, am I here to tell you to join the school newspaper? Nope.
Am I here today to force you to find a major? Nope.

I'm here today to tell you one thing and one thing only, do not force your major. Do not force yourself to choose. Let your major come to you. And when your major does come to you, make sure you love it. Make sure you get butterflies when you see yourself in that field Most importantly, make sure it makes you happy.