I have the luxury of pursuing a major in a field that I am passionate about. I want to become an editor for a Publishing House, and eventually write my own novels. I'm allowed to pursue this dream. I'm allowed to spend 4+ years of my life following my own passion instead of dedicating my life to a field that I have no interest in. Fortunately for me, my parents love and support me and believe that I can be successful in a creative field despite all of the uncertainty it brings.

But one of my friends was studying to become an accountant because her parents believed that was a reasonable career path that would pay the bills. It was a safety-net career choice that would ensure her a job once she left college. After all, they were paying for their child's college, so shouldn't they be able to have a say in what their child studies? Yes and no. My friend spent two and a half years feeling miserable and uninspired. Her real passion was writing children's books and I watched as all of her energy drained away, and her grades plummeted because she was forced to pursue a field that didn't engage her. Her parents finally recognized that she needed to be involved in a career path that she cared about. Today, she has found a happy medium--marketing for children's books. She's in an industry that has allowed her security while dealing with subject matter she cares about.

Don't let your parents completely decide your future. No one should get to decide your future but you.

I'm not suggesting to throw away your parent's support and live on the streets in pursuit of making your robotic dish-sorting invention a reality. God no. What I am saying is this: pick major leads you to a passionate future. You have a right to choose the direction that you are headed in. Respect the fact that your family is supporting you, and even if you can't major in what you are passionate about, for whatever reason--remember that you shape your future. Take that forensics class you were curious about. Make sure that your life remains well-rounded so that you can always conceive of a future that excites you. Even if you decide that you love art but you aren't going to make it a career goal--take your career and angle it towards the passions within your life. Instead of being an art major, go into curating or become an advertising art director! Make sure that your future is being shaped by your own goals in mind. I understand that we can't always pursue our passion, and many people focus on financial security before anything else, but I still believe the same thing goes. Always remember that your career path and your future should be shaped in pursuit of what matters to you.