I Changed My Major, And That's Okay | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I Changed My Major, And That's Okay

Freshman year can change you.

7
I Changed My Major, And That's Okay
Bruce College

Months before starting college, I knew I wanted to major in creative writing. My heart was set on it, and nothing was going to change that. Even after looking through the list of majors my college offers, creative writing was the only one that spoke to me. I was a writer, and everyone knew it.

I had countless family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers ask me what my plans were for college. "I'm going to major in creative writing," I would always say with confidence. When they asked me why I decided to major in that, I would say, "Writing is what I like to do. It's what I'm best at, and I want to make a career out of it."

I considered myself a writer, so being a creative writing major made sense, right? That's what I thought at the time, but over the course of my freshman year, I realized majoring in creative writing wasn't for me. I found that I'm a much better fit in my school's political economy department.

Even though I started out my first school year so sure I would be a creative writing major, I started having very unexpected second thoughts a couple of months in. But I also began to feel pressured to remain in my major because of what other people would tell me. One day while walking to class my history professor caught up to me and asked, "You're an English major, right?" I said yes, unsure of why she would ask that. Then, it hit me. It's because I'm a good writer. Even my English professor would tell me "You're a really great writer. I hope you stay a creative writing major."

That semester I was also unwillingly put into a political economy course called International Politics. My whole class schedule was put together by someone else, and I didn't like the class. Rather, I didn't want to like it. But as the course progressed, I ended up enjoying it. For some reason, all the big words I learned from the class like "hegemony" weren't so intimidating, and they left my brain thinking and challenged. Surprisingly, I found it easier to come up with theses for that class than I did my English class. But wasn't I supposed to be good at writing? Wasn't that supposed to be my "talent"?

Writing still is my talent, but not in the way I once thought. The second semester of my freshman year I took a literature course and another political economy course, this time willingly. It had been years since I got anything lower than a B on an essay, but that changed when I took that literature class. I received a C on my first one for the class. Writing about literature was hard, but I thought I was supposed to enjoy it since I classified myself as a writer. However, writing short essays for my government class came much easier to me.

I spent weeks pondering, trying to decide whether or not I should give up my title as a "Creative Writing Major" and change it to "Political Economy Major." I ended up proudly accepting the latter. I don't know where this major will take me, and I still don't know what I'll do with it. But for now, I feel like it's the right decision. I learned that just because I'm no longer majoring in the humanities doesn't mean I'm not a writer. I'm still a writer, I just changed my major — and that's okay. Who knows? Maybe it'll change again.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

11 College Misconceptions Every Incoming Freshman Needs To Know

Think of everything that you've heard about college... and completely forget it.

2394
Helen Horton and friends
Helen Horton

College is a crazy, beautiful, amazing whirlwind. It is highly popularized in television and movies, but not necessarily in the most accurate way. Yes, there's frats, dingy dorms, raging house parties—but there's also a lot that people fail to mention.

1. If you thought that you knew how to study, you're wrong.

All of your classes aren't taught every day, so professors aren't on your case constantly about reading and memorizing material. Once you get back that "questionable" first exam grade, you'll kick it into high gear and figure out what works for you

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

18 Things Your Mom Does

Moms: the only reason voicemail still exists.

1714
woman in black turtleneck shirt smiling beside woman in black shirt

Your mom: you can't live with her, but you can't live without her. You love your mom, but she is insanely predictable. Here is a list of things your mom has probably done.

Keep Reading...Show less
Girl With Bleached Hair
Tumblr

I've been a bleach blonde for over a year now, and let me tell you, it is a lifestyle. More hair appointments, longer showers, and special shampoo. But it is totally worth it!

1. Mentally preparing yourself to convince your hair dresser that white is the way to go.

2. Or the anxiety of what could go wrong by bleaching your hair at home.

3. You could either become a ginger

4. Or a pixie

5. The face you make in the mirror when you take off your towel to unveil the perfect white strands.

6. Taking a million selfies the day you bleached it, because you know your roots will be back in literally 2 days.

7. Having to get bangs or a big chop because your hair is so damaged.

8. Having orange highlights in between touch-ups.

9. Going out for a drink afterwards to debut your updated look.

Despite the struggles, you love your platinum blonde hair! You make sure Instagram knows it, too. You don't need a filter, because the color is flawless by itself!

Entertainment

10 Things About Finals Week

As told by "Parks and Recreation" GIFs.

304
Parks and Recreation
The Playlist

Finals: just thinking about them gives you anxiety. Only two weeks separate you from summer, but they're the longest of the semester. There's a familiarity to this season, now that you have had so many testing cycles under your belt. But that doesn't quell the ever present stress to pass your finals and your classes. Even better, as a package deal during these wonderful weeks, you get to wake up early to study and you get to take exams that can begin anytime from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. Now that we have established that this week is not fun, here are some super relatable moments that punctuate finals week.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl partying
HeyMIkeyATL

I've been at this college thing for almost three and a half years, and while I thought that high school was truly the lowest point of my existence, I'm beginning to realize that it was a walk in the park. Like, I miss the days when the biggest white lie I told my parents was my made up excuse about being late for fourth period. These days, the white lies are a tad more complex, and as ashamed as I am to admit it, I've definitely told a few of these.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments