1. I have never been happier with my chosen major

For so long, I thought that Nursing was it. I was determined to crank out nursing school in college and go onto to become a Pediatric Nurse. As much as I thought that was what my future held for me, I found myself doubting the thought of nursing and took that as a ‘red flag’ to reevaluate my upcoming future plans. In the back of my mind, I knew I always had a love for research. And while I knew that was a huge interest of mind, I never found the power in myself to make the change. After a lot of thinking, advice and encouragement found in myself and the ones around me, I made the biggest change of my life; I changed my major from Nursing to Public Health. Now being a PH student for almost a year, I finally feel a ‘love’ for my education and what it entails for my future. The classes have been insightful, interesting, and challenging. I can honestly say, I have finally found my life calling!

2. It has allowed for me to take on a minor

Following the change in my major, I came across the opportunity to take on minor. As I was able to complete a minor in nursing too, the ability to do so in such a rigorous major is highly difficult. Talking with my brother who is completing his Master’s at Carnegie Mellon for HCM (Healthcare Management), I found what he was learning to be very intriguing. Looking more into the topic at Temple, I came across a minor for HCM. Starting in the fall, I will complete a 9 credit program in HCM.

3. Friendships were created that would not have come about without me changing my major

As most of my best friends here were found through nursing school, I have come across some great people thus far in the Public Health program too. Being a large program, I constantly am seeing new faces within my classes and lectures. At the same time, I have had many classes with the same people that I became good friends with over the last year! It’s a good feeling knowing I have created a new ‘pact’ of people within my new major.

4. It has taught me to follow my heart

Hands down, the hardest part about changing my major was convincing myself that making this change was okay! Does that make sense? All of my life, I was so fixated on becoming a nurse and everyone in my life knew that; my parents, family, friends, high school teachers, etc. I felt that I had to live up to my actions and that if I would change my major, people would lose hope in me and feel that I was just ‘giving up’ on my future. After a lot of thought, I finally came to my senses. Why am I worrying so much about what other people are going to think? The life ahead of me, my future, is mine, no one else’s. Why not do exactly what I want to do? After accepting the change within myself, I knew there was no going back… this is what I had to do!! The feeling of comfort and happiness was already overcoming me and I knew at that moment, this was it; the opportunity was mine!

5. I have come across incredible mentors and role models that have made a huge impact on my life

In just the last 6 months, I have come across 3 amazing people that I have been able to connect with on an educational & personal level that has made my experience thus far with my new major unimaginable. Those three people being a professor, tutor and a PhD student, they all have made a permanent and positive impact on myself and my educational experience here at Temple University that I will hold to forever.

6. Opportunities that I have endured have been highly insightful & has only convinced me more that I was meant to change my major

Just within the one full semester since I changed my major, I have been thankful to be presented with some awesome opportunities to help excel and engage myself within Public Health. Now working with a PhD student found within the College of Public Health, I have been able to spend time with her and a graduate student with her own research project! Not only have I been able to help out with the information and data involved with it, I too have been granted the chance to present the project with them at a Temple University Conference this spring as well as a Nation-Wide one this upcoming fall! This opportunity has allowed me to experience with my own potential, increase my knowledge about the field and create an amazing connection with such a great individual!

7. I believe that everything happens for a reason

The initial moment when I changed major, I was beyond scared to say the least! Did I make the right decision? Is this really what I want to do the rest of my life? Soo many questions consumed my mind. But then, it honestly hit me all at once. A few weeks following the change, everything began to piece together. If it wasn’t for me not passing a major specific course in nursing Spring 2016 semester, I never would’ve been given the opportunity to really re-evaluate my major and future endeavors. Knowing that I would have to re-take the class, that meant I either became a 5^th year Nursing student or that I took the chance sitting right in front of me of changing my major. All because of that one class, my life is forever changed… in the best way possible of course! As I reflect just on this experience of my life, I can’t help but think about how much happier, content and excited I am for my future. Thanks to that one class, I look around and absorb all the incredible people, experiences and classes I have come across thus far. As I have created significant goals for myself toward my education, my goal is to go onto to receive my Master's in Epidemiology and work with Cancer Research. Here is to the future and everything that it has to offer!