I had this idea in my mind as a freshman that if you weren't a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, it was probably because you weren't smart enough. It wasn't that I thought only they were smart - I just knew how much work went into the majors who took you in that direction. Ever since I was little, I had never taken the easy path in life. From advanced classes to extracurriculars to advanced programs - I was never one to settle for something just because it was "easier." In elementary school I was in the advanced class, in middle school I had no option but to be in all advanced classes because of International Baccalaureate and in college I opted to be a biology major, which isn't the easiest of majors.

Going off of my biology major choice, I wasn't prepared to not be good at something. I had always been able to put in minimal effort in my studies and still breeze by because I would understand the material so well. When I got to college, I focused on partying, being homesick and adjusting, and thought I could get an A on a test just by studying a couple hours before it. Then I got my first chemistry exam grade back and almost cried. Not only had I not done well, I had miserably failed. From then on it was intense studying for everything and yet something didn't seem to click. I hated going to all my classes and nothing motivated me. I was doing fairly well, but not good enough to become a doctor. However, I was stubborn enough to persist and keep hoping that once I get past the weed-out-freshman classes, things would change.

Things didn't change. After I did miserably on yet another chemistry final, I realized that I needed to push for a change. My mom asked me a very simple question that changed my entire perspective on things: Why do I want to be a doctor? My answer? Because I liked the prestige and the praise that came from being one. Yes, a part of me obviously wanted to help people as well, but that was possible in pretty much any other career. She then asked me why I wasn't just doing something that I had always wanted to do - something with criminology. Once again my answer revolved around status - I didn't think it was that hard to be a criminology major and I didn't think I would be praised for my work.

However, I decided to change after I had the most amazing internship. I am now a triple major with criminology, human development and psychology. I wake up every morning for my 8 a.m. and actually enjoy going to the class. I write my papers with interest and even when I am falling behind, I don't feel discouraged because I know this is exactly what I want to be in life. I joined clubs and professional fraternities related to my three majors who get me even more excited about my future job, and they foster relationships and connections which will be useful to me in the future. I am happy, I feel free, and I am prospering in both my educational and social life. My suggestion to anyone unhappy in their major who is only staying in it for the status or because it's one that will bring you the most money is to change. If you're unhappy right now, chances are you might continue being unhappy in the future and no amount of money or status will be able to fix that.