This is a story – not just my story, but many people's stories. We've all been there. It's around the middle of the midterm season, so basically the second month of school. You're sitting in the library for the 10th hour trying to study and consequently realizing you have the attention span of a gnat; everyone around you looks like they've got their entire lives together and you can't even remember what you had for breakfast, and then this still, little voice inside your head starts talking. It's telling you things like, "You should've just gone to art school," and, "There's still time to drop out and become a stripper."
We all know the voice. That's the time when it seems like your biggest mistake in life was choosing your current major. That is not the time to actually change your major. You're too emotional. Remember in the "Godfather" whenthey talk about not hating your enemies, because it clouds your judgment? Yeah, that same principle applies to your major. I, as much as anyone, understand the struggle of trying to keep it together when you feel like you're being personally victimized by your major.
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I came to college as a neuroscience major.
Now that you've had your collective gasp, we can get back to the story. Needless to say, I quickly realized that my enjoyment of neuroscience wasn't enough to sustain me through my classes, and my grades started to take a beating because of it. I toyed with the idea of changing my major many times, but I just couldn't get over the feeling that I had "failed" somehow.
Then one day, I had had enough. I wasn't happy, I was actually dreading my classes, and my grades were feeling the brunt of this inner turmoil. I decided then and there that I was going to do it. But then I had to figure out what to change it to.
Since coming to college, I had realized a hidden passion of mine that I would've never guessed: writing. I love writing (obviously), but I never thought it would be something that I would attempt to make a living off of. I mean, we've heard the taunts about "starving artists" and the writers who never make any money. So my nerves weren't exactly having their best moment. And my family was definitely less than thrilled whenever I told them that instead of being a neurosurgeon, I was going to be a writer.
But I knew that this was what I wanted. And so, on that fateful day – dramatic, but necessary – I strode into my advisor's office and asked what my major options were. He gave me many, but the one that stood out to me the most was narrative studies. Don't worry, I had no idea what that meant either. It's basically the study of how narrative changes through different mediums, whether it be film, theater, literature, or music.
Not gonna lie, this major is perfect! I get to take classes in so many different areas, so there's never any boredom, and I actually like when the weekend is over so I can get back into class.
Changing your major is a big decision, but it's your decision. If you find yourself completely miserable and lacking any and all motivation for school, it may be time to talk to your advisor about your options. College is about finding out who you truly are, but you can't do that by pretending to be who you aren't.
The end of my story is a happy one at least. I got the major I wanted, I'm happy with my classes, and I even got to leave a little room for a minor in my first love: neuroscience. Now go make your own!
