When one enters college they are simply put as "undecided" for their major. They say you have time to try out different classes and see what you enjoy most. For some there is not enough time to test out courses because they have already decided what they want to do and many programs are so jam packed. During my 1st year of college I went through a bit of a life crisis. I had always had a dream of being an Elementary School teacher and also getting a Psychology degree, but I panicked. I wasn't sure if that was what I wanted to do with my life, and if I could fit it into the 4 years I had planned at Gustavus. My advisors and multiple professors saw me many times as I went through my 4-year plan time after time again. I had no idea the pressure of deciding a major was so intense at times. Here are reasons why making that decision on a major is so difficult:
1) There are so many options, and options within the options!
One may think that when they decide on a major that's it, but it is not! You may choose Psychology (as an example), but then what kind of Psychology do you want to do? There is Clinical, Educational, Cognitive, Forensic, Health, and so many more. Does your school have the right program for the area you want to go into? Do you want to focus on something like eating disorders, depression, children, teenagers, adult, or some other type of issue? You think you are done once you pick a major, but it is only just the beginning!
2) "But those classes are so hard!"
Ever major includes classes one doesn't really want to take. If it were up to me I would never take another math class in my life, but sadly I have to. You do not want to give up your dream job because of a physic class, but you may dread every day of it. I only wish I were able to choose every class I had to take, and still get what I want for a major.
3) "Will I love my major and future job?"
I may love my classes, but does that mean I will love being in the career that I am spending so much time and money on? What do I do if I get a job and hate it? Do I go back to school, or do I spend my life hating what I do just to make money? What if your job is not in demand? You spend these years studying night after night, and you can't find a job. You feel the pressure to get your dream job right out of college and that is not how it is. Many people need time to find what fits for them and makes them happy.
4) Money
College is so expensive, and I do not want to spend all this money on something that doesn't work out and that won't benefit me in the end.
5) Declaring your major is so official!
This is where I became the most stressed. Since I was young I had always said I want to be a teacher. My parents, like many others, are like "being a Doctor is cool too (hint,hint)." Luckily they support me to the fullest extent. Now when I say I wanted to be a teacher since childhood I mean it. My dream since I can remember was being a teacher. I always knew being a princess required being blood to royalty or marrying someone, but we don't have royalty here in the U.S. and I don't think I want to move abroad just to marry into royalty....I take that back crowns would look amazing on me; gold compliments my skin well. I also knew being a model was out of reach with my 5' 4'' frame and the fact that I fall over just trying to stand up. So since I am such a realist I understand that being a teacher is more in my lane. But I digress! My point is telling people is one thing, and declaring the major and paying all this money to officially choose your career path is another. You don't know if you are going to be happy with everything you choose, and it is a huge decision we make as college students.
The best thing that must be kept in mind is that what you major in doesn't have to decide your career. I know so many people who have majored in things such as psychology, but are able to pick from so many careers that are not directly something relate to their major. The best thing one can do is pick what they are most passionate about, and take time to find what is right for you.
