We are the future of this world. We are the next professors, surgeons, social workers, lawyers, artists, filmmakers, actors, police officers, scientists, astronomers, politicians, business leaders and more; the list goes on and on. We need people in this world to have interests in every field of study, and lucky for us, we do. College is such a captivating and compelling place. Students from all over the country and around the world come together on one unique campus and bring their individual passions, strengths and goals. We express those passions and strengths in many ways but also through our chosen areas of study. I am writing this article in effort to increase understanding on college campuses about how assumptions about our chosen majors are really just stereotypes. The field in which an individual chooses to major does not determine their intelligence.
I am currently a sophomore majoring in communication with a minor in psychology at a small liberal arts college. Over the past couple of years, there have been several times when I've been asked what my major is and I have been made to feel stupid or a less competent student. I have gotten replies like, “Oh aren’t communication classes really easy?” Or, “What easy communications class should I take to fill this general education requirement?” And I constantly hear comments like, “He’s pre-med; he must be super smart.” Well yes, he is probably pretty smart, but so are those people who major in English or history or art. The problem lies in the stereotypes that go along with these majors and professions. These stereotypes are harmful just like other stereotypes based on gender, race or religion.
I believe the real problem is that people fail to realize that every individual has their own unique intelligence based on their passions, strengths and interests; not everyone finds math and science fascinating. And that’s a good thing, because I don’t know about you, but I think this world would be pretty damn boring if everyone wanted to pursue the pre-med track in college. Who would become writers, designers and politicians if everyone was interested in chemistry and mathematics?
The major you choose says nothing about how smart you are. Every major requires some form of intelligence; some people are good at working with numbers and equations while other people are good at writing and thinking critically about theories and ideas. Some people can only think in black and white while others contemplate all the grey areas or think in vivid color. Everyone is different. As supported by years of social science research on human cognition, there are many forms of intelligence.
In addition to mathematical-logical thinking, there is musical thinking, linguistic thinking, spatial thinking, interpersonal thinking and several other types. We all vary in how skilled we are in these different domains and these domains are not arranged in a hierarchy of smartness. The human brain and cognition is fascinating and to assume that those who study math are smarter than those who do not is just a false statement and not consistent with research. Everyone’s brain is wired differently, and honestly, I thank god for that. If you have ever been made to feel inferior because of your major, I want to thank you for putting up with that nonsense and I want to assure you that you too are smart.
If you are passionate about and skilled in your chosen major, than congratulations, you are smart. Nothing makes you smarter than finding what you love and expressing yourself through it. Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior because you chose an “easy major.” Love what you do and do what you love, because that will only make you smarter.
