As many of you well know, college is all about finding yourself while also going to class. So what about that all-important decision to declare a major? Well, let me tell you, for many it is as simple as counting to three, while for others it takes a lot of time and a lot of thought. Why? Because choosing a major means declaring what you want to do in life. What you want out of your life. And where you see life taking you after college. Now of course, choosing a major doesn't mean that you'll find a job in that field immediately, but rather it lets you hone in on your skills and allows you to focus on what you want for yourself. So for many, declaring that major is the simplest of choices, but I know from personal experience how difficult it really is. I mean I changed my major FIVE times, and here's why I don't regret a single choice:
Yes, you read that right. I am a graduating senior who has changed her major five times, and yes I am still graduating on time (applause)! I love school and I love to try new things as well as seeing what life has to offer so that could be partly why there were so many changes, but really it was all part of the journey to finding my passion and learning more about who I am as a student and a future career woman.
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I started my first semester of freshman year as a molecular genetics major. I was so ready to be involved in science classes and learn more about biology. I love how human DNA works and how we become ourselves through genetics. But most importantly, I wanted to learn how to help cancer research and hopefully find a breakthrough. My goal in choosing this major was to help people, and it still is to this day, but general chemistry kicked my butt and I knew that if I wanted to enjoy college as well as my classes, I needed to change.
Therefore, come second semester of freshman year, I declared myself a biological sciences major. Essentially, I was doing the same thing as the previous semester but it was more generalized. I was still hoping to one day graduate and work in forensics or cancer research. But I quickly realized that I didn't really want to spend my days in a lab, and thus came time to change. Again.
Ahh...multimedia journalism: aka my third major. Journalism was a passion of mine as I had been on the newspaper staff throughout high school. But multimedia journalism allowed me to work through technological avenues, which was something I loved. I enjoyed all the classes and the professors, but I knew something still didn't feel right.
Next came strategic communications for my spring semester of my sophomore year. In this case, I had chosen a public relations course. Why? Because it incorporated both journalism and helping people. It was the perfect choice for me! Or so I had thought... This major was great and all but I knew that finding the needed internship would be difficult with my class schedule as well as working multiple jobs. Plus, something deep down told me I wasn't meant for this particular major.
Finally, the final decision: English. My fifth and final major choice. It was the absolute perfect fit. I love to read and write, and all my English classes allowed me to do just that. I felt at home and happy, which is strange when you think about a major choice. But it was right. I was where I needed to be. With a major in English, I knew I could work basically anywhere I wanted, such as editing, P.R., law and journalism. The world was my oyster and I was ready to see how this new major would help me to develop my passion and help others at the same time: I was ready.
Thus, just because you feel like you should have declared a certain major doesn't mean it is the right one for you in the long run. Don't be afraid to try something different because it could be what you needed all along. I may have tried as many choices as I could fit into about four years, but I am happy with each one. Every major I chose helped develop my character as a dedicated and diligent student, and also as a career woman, because I knew what I wanted and that I wouldn't stop until I got it. Life is all about trying new things and gaining experience. I did just that, with five majors.
