One of the best things about going to college is that you finally get to control your education. Your future is yours to create, any way you want to. After years of elementary and high school, it's the most incredible feeling to know that you have the power to choose your next step in life. No more sitting through seemingly pointless classes that don't interest you. All of your hard work has finally paid off and now you can begin to map out your next four years. Step one: the terrifying and exciting choice of picking a major.

Deciding on a major means that almost all of your classes will be focused around your major, which is most likely what you love or what you are good at. It's a refreshing new style of education that we as young adults haven't fully experienced before. Going into my first year of college, I made the practical decision of majoring in business simply for that reason- it was practical. I was already making the seemingly crazy choice to go to a school in a new city without anyone I knew, why not play it safe with my major?

I thought that having a versatile major, like business, would save me if I ever needed something to fall back on. What I didn't realize was that I was preparing myself for failure. I was counting on the fact that I would need a plan B, and I didn't want to go through my college career thinking that my goals were unachievable. When I did finally realize this, I knew I had to pursue my passion rather than force something I hated on myself. I had to stop fighting against what I loved. Screw practicality; I became a writing major.

I couldn't have been more thrilled with my change. Writing had always been my best talent and favorite passion. However, when I began to tell people about my choice, my excitement began to dwindle. I noticed how people would respond differently to me when I told them my major as opposed to my friends who were majoring in things like accounting or biology. Their eyes would go wide and they would let out a high-pitched "Oh!" as if it came as a surprise that anyone would even think about making a career out of writing. I felt like people didn't take me seriously. Studying a science or math is well-received, but writing or art or theatre? I guess you just don't want to make money and be successful.

It was hurtful at first to watch people's reactions and see them acting as if I was wasting a college education on something they thought was impractical. I remember running into my English teacher from high school during a school break. I was so excited to tell her my major because I thought she would be supportive. Instead, she gave me a sideways glance and said that I should think about changing my major so I would be more credible. I was shocked. I was tired of being looked at like I was crazy for following my dreams.

I'm smiling as I write this now because all of these people who doubted my decision only fueled my desire to be a writer. All of those wide eyes that looked down on me pushed me to work even harder. My passion for writing has only grown stronger. I know that my decision was the right one for me and has never been "impractical. I've never been happier with my path in life. When I walk across that stage to graduate in three years, I will hold my head high knowing that I made my own choice and I will always stand by it.

Having an 'impractical" major reminds me everyday of the people who think I'm wasting my time and making a stupid decision. Well, I can tell you this, anyone who doubted me will NOT be getting a signed copy of my debut novel.