"You need to stop changing your major around" they all told me. "Stop switching it. You have to stop doing that. Do you realize how much more money you're spending on these classes. You have to make sure you know what you want".
But let's be real here - do any of us really know what we want when we're 19, 20, 21, or even 22? No, we don't. We are changing, all of the time. We are rapidly making different decisions from the moment we can even start making our own choices, to the day that we die. I'm 21 right now, and when I was a little girl, I was much different with what I wanted to do. Sure, writing was always my thing no matter what - but besides that, I wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be a librarian. I wanted to be a pop singer, or a marine biologist, or a ballerina. I wanted to either grow up and go to Julliard to be a professional dancer, or get singing lessons so I could be a famous singer/songwriter. I wanted to be a plethora of things, and I used to feel guilty for changing my mind a lot or having so many passions. My problem wasn't not knowing what I wanted to be. My problem was having way too many dreams. I wanted to be everything, and I was so passionate and invested in many different things.
Fast forward to college. My first year at college, I was a Journalism Major with a minor in professional writing. Fast forward to my third year at college. I am now an English Literature major with a double minor in creative writing and journalism. Okay - I have to admit something first, actually. I recently declared a third minor, and it is awesome thing called Women and Gender Studies. Okay, I can't help it! Before you roll your eyes and say "Oh Jules, don't you know how much time and money you're wasting?" let me tell you this important speck of information that I hope the whole world will soon understand:
Hands down, being happy for the rest of your life is more important than any of the money in the world. And how can people expect college aged students, who are practically at the prime of their lives, to stick to one thing during their college career? Things are going to switch around, change, disappear - or be added on. It's nearly impossible to not discover more about yourself when you're in college, because this is the time where you're truly figuring yourself out, and what makes you the happiest. You can't just stick to one thing for four years, and settle with that because it's a money saver, and a time investor. At the end of the day, what do you want? Don't you want to be content knowing that you didn't miss out, and you explored that option without any regrets? I know that being stable and having money is crucial, but it's sad that we've let it stand in our way for such a long time. Money doesn't always make the world go round, and it's a shame that it is that way.
I guess what I'm saying, is that it's okay to change your major and minor a gazillion and one times. Sure, it gets a little hectic, but it'll be worth it in the long run. It's good that you're changing it so many times, because it shows that you have so many interests and you are not afraid to take that risk and explore them. One day, it'll pay off and you'll be so grateful that you did. Money is just a thing, at the end of it all. It's just a thing that we pay too much attention to instead of really, truly living life to the fullest. What do you want to do? The next time someone nags on you for how many times you switched your major or minor - or both - just remember to take what they're saying with a grain of salt but to keep in mind that this is ultimately your decision. It's your life.
I'm personally figuring out what I want to do with my life - and honestly, I think I've finally figured it out. After a couple changes and a few swap around's, I'm getting there. It's not just going to magically happen and I wish people would understand that. Either way, you do you. This is what you'll be doing for the rest of your life, anyway.
