I went the whole way through middle school, high school, and first semester of freshman year knowing that I was going to be an English/communications/secondary education major, graduate college, teach for a while, become a principal or superintendent, and then get involved with educational law and education reform. Having such a set plan makes changing my major that much harder. I am stepping from the planned, the familiar, and my comfort zone to dive into sociology with a minor in social work. If you’re thinking about changing your major, here’s what to expect.
1. Who needs to sign what forms?
You retrieve a Change of Major Form from one office on the far side of campus. Then you take it to your adviser on the first floor, the chair of your department on the second floor, the chair of your new department on the third floor, the cave of the all-knowing mystic for good measure, and then to the registrar back across campus. God forbid you lose the form and have to start all over.
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2. Am I doing the right thing?
There is nothing scarier and somewhat humbling about the human condition than the fact that we don’t know if we are doing the right thing -- ever. We make informed decisions and follow through with them, hoping for the best. In this case, I took time to pray, consult Career Services, the heads of departments, my roommates, and my parents. I made the decision to change my major and hoped to God that this was the right decision, but ultimately, on this side of Heaven, I won’t know if what I’m doing the right thing.
3. I need to call my Mom.
I think this about 15 times a day, but when I was considering changing my major, I just wanted to call my mom. I wanted my mom to come guide me through everything and tell me what to do. Thankfully she didn’t tell me what to do but she did guide me. If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone else thinking about changing their major, it would be to call your mom, dad, or other trusted adult more. Keep them in the loop and seek their wisdom. I thought that I could figure this all out on my own without any advice. I was so wrong. We weren’t created to do it alone.
4. Now, I need to make all new friends in my major.
Leaving the Education Department and the English Department is so sad. I made some of my first friends on campus from these departments. We could complain about observations, education reform, and lesson planning together, knowing we were all on the same page about NCLB and Common Core. Meeting students in a new and different major will be difficult. However, I know that we are all studying the same thing because God led us there.
5. I need to get to know all the professors in this department, too.
I began to feel comfortable with my professors in my departments. I got involved with their activities on campus, helped them with things in the department, and loved getting to interact with them inside and outside of the classroom. Switching to this new major is scary because I am losing that comfort. All of the professors that I have come in contact with on campus want the best for their students, and I know my new department is no different.
6. Is McDonald's hiring?
Honestly, I just wanted to drop out of college altogether when I decided to change my major. It just seemed to be the easy way out of a tough situation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend college, and an outstanding college at that. I know that taking the easy way out would be nice now, but in the long run, I know that sticking through the trials makes us stronger.
7. Will people think less of me?
On campus, the Education Department has a reputation of being a major with a jam-packed schedule and rigorous classes, and that would be correct. I loved my time in the Education Department. I truly felt like I was being prepared for a career in teaching. However, there is also this stigma that students who drop education can’t handle the workload. This wasn’t true for me at all. I loved my classes but they began to feel meaningless, like God was telling me this isn’t where I’m supposed to be. I struggled with feeling like other Ed majors would think less of me, and I still do.
8. This is so terrifying.
Feeling the call to change my major wasn’t something that was in my plan. Looking back, I was so delusional for thinking that my plan was somehow going to outplay God’s plan. As dramatic as it sounds, my future and my faith were shaken when I decided to change my major. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, where I wanted to do it, or who I wanted to help. Going from a strict plan to no plan was not good for an organized person like me.
9. This is so exciting!
After I overcame the initial fear of changing my major, I was beyond excited. Finding your calling is such an exhilarating feeling. You feel rejuvenated and inspired to do your work. There is purpose in the work you are doing when you really see yourself doing it for the rest of your life.
10. Are my parents, friends and loved ones going to be proud?
I vividly remember talking with my dad on the phone one day as I was in the early stages of considering changing my major. I was stressed and unsure of what I should do. He told me that no matter what I chose, I would never have to worry about him not being proud of me. It is typical of me to internally stress about what my family and friends will think of my decisions. Will they think I couldn’t handle being and Ed major? Will they support me? Will they understand? These were all questions I wrestled with. After telling my friends and family, I was changing my major, I received an outpouring of support, prayers, and encouragement. If you’re thinking about changing your major, find the people in your life that will love you through it and cling to them.
11. Thank God for my roommates.
After the aforementioned conversation with my dad, I came back to my dorm, laid on my roommate’s bed, and cried for a long time. Both of my roommates (along with my best friends from home) constantly supported me and gave me the best advice that they could. It’s not easy for one 19-year-old to lead another 19-year-old to a career, but I can say with confidence that my roommates did a great job.
12. God is in control.
As dramatic as it sounds, I really questioned God’s presence when I decided to change my major. I wondered how a loving God could inspire the passion for teaching within my heart, and when he took it away, I was devastated. I had always thought my gift would be inspiring the love of literature in my students. However, when God lit a new fire in my heart, he did not diminish the old. I trust that God still wants me to work with kids and families in some capacity. If ten years down the road he lights a new fire in my heart, I will be ready and willing to accept the challenge.
