College can be a very confusing time. And although some of us were born with a driving passion of what we want to do with our lives, others have a tougher time making this decision. It can be very tempting to second guess your decision, and often, students change their major more than twice. However, there are five ways to know if your major is right for you.

You want your coursework to challenge you.

If you have ever been irritated by a class in your major due to lack of stimulation, your major may be right for you. I often have this issue, and I am all too aware that expressing this concern can make me seem conceited. We often feel as though being too curious is a bad thing, but it is quite the opposite. It’s a great sign. If I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing, I could just cruise through another class and receive my diploma. But I value my degree more than that, and I find the subject matter more interesting than a title amongst a list of classes on my transcript. By challenging yourself In a field in which you are passionate, you invest much more than three credit hours; you hopefully gain invaluable expertise that will propel you throughout your career.

You apply concepts from your major to everyday life.

If you find yourself thinking about scholastic concepts outside the classroom, you are on the right track. Although some majors are generally considered more practical or more interesting than others, a true avid scholar will find the intrigue or utility of their studies when they are not always obvious to others. Additionally, if you find yourself cracking inside jokes or puns about things you understand because of your major, then congratulations! You are officially a nerd. And you should feel pride in this fact, because it means you relate to those concepts and have chosen your major wisely.

You seek outside opportunities to advance in your field.

If you are a theatre major who never buys tickets to go see live theatre or a law student who doesn’t keep up with current court cases, you may want to reconsider where your passions lie. It’s important to have experience and exposure outside the classroom, and if you truly love your field, you probably already take steps to further your experience. Whether you are an interior designer addicted to HGTV, a business major that actively networks in their community, or you are seeking an internship within your major, a student in the correct major will naturally take an active interest in that area.

Your major helps you to be a better version of yourself.

All too often, college students are swept into a specific major because of expectations of others or because of a pretty paycheck. But when you find the major that best fits you, you will discover that it makes you become a better version of yourself. When you embark on a passionate journey, you find yourself being motivated for the right reasons and investing time and effort into something you believe in. When you seek challenges, improve upon your skillset, and possibly step outside your comfort zone, you may find something you never knew you were looking for. And whether you find a degree that assists you in becoming an expert, helping people through your career, or becoming more cultured and knowledgeable, you will start to realize that because you found the major for you, you have begun a commitment to seek self-refinement.

You think about your career more than your job.

If you know me at all, you know that I am currently not sure what I want to do with my degree. I am currently working in an internship that I love, but I’m not sure if that specific type of business is something I am interested in pursuing. However, that is totally okay! What is more important is that I could see myself succeeding in my future endeavors because of the empowering abilities and knowledge that my degree and my internship have given me. If you feel as though your major is helping you to accomplish your short term and long term goals, you will find yourself looking at the many possibilities rather than the limited options. A love for your work will begin to transform your search for a job into a construction of a successful career.

So, is your major right for you? If not, I encourage you to take the summer to do more research on your passions. Don’t be afraid to change your major for the third time, and more importantly, don’t ever let anyone make this decision for you. You will experience many long nights, tears and triumphs throughout your collegiate experience. Make sure you are pursuing your favorite way to spend this time.