In elementary school, we are all asked what we want to be when we grow up. Everyone excitedly declares their chosen career paths: cowgirl, magician, movie star, President of the United States, or a ballerina. We might draw a picture of our future selves, saving the world or waving to fans on a stage. We might write a story about our lives as future superheroes and rock stars. Our teachers and parents encourage this. "You can be anything if you put your mind to it", they say. But as time goes on, that kind of steadfast, blind encouragement seems to fade and is replaced by the pressure to choose a singular, practical future path.
After years of being told that we can do anything, years of being told that we could walk on Mars and we could be the leader of the free world if that’s what we wanted, an almost imperceptible shift occurred. We were now asked to face reality and put our childhood dreams away in a drawer. This “reality” that we were trained to accept was one that told us that there is no stability or money in creative careers. This “reality” told us that it was silly to pursue multiple goals. The practical, and “correct” life path is to graduate high school, pick an interest, turn that interest into a major, study that major in college so that you can find a career in that field, and work in that career until well, you know where this is headed. This “reality” told us that there simply isn’t enough time.
Maybe that’s true, maybe there isn’t enough time. But, if that is the case, shouldn’t we use our limited time to experience and pursue every little thing we can? Shouldn’t we use every moment of our time allotted in this life to learn and build and help and mess up and love? We all know that life is in no way simplistic; it has twists and turns and loops. So, why is it that we try to squeeze all our dreams, desires, and passions into a thin, straight line?
Life is so grand. There are so many things to see and learn and try. Life is filled with opportunities. Life is limitless, so why do we limit ourselves? We need to reevaluate our thoughts and cast aside this idea that the major we choose when we are 18 years old is a barrier, keeping us from exploring and growing.
Your major in college does not define you. It does not have to dictate your future experiences. You can travel. You can learn a new language. You can play the drums. You can write a book. You can open an antique store. You can rescue kittens. You can be in a play. You can start a movement. You are not limited to one job, one path, or one life. Your major does not have to become your identity. You are more than your major. Let me say that again, just to make sure you heard me. You are more than your major.
So, go to medical school or law school. Become an archeologist or a teacher. But be more. Seek more. Read, write, create, try, fail, try again, because after all, there simply isn’t enough time.
