Ahh, the dreaded question that all college students are asked at some point in their four years: "What's your major?" For some, this may be easy. However, for others like me, it's actually a really hard (and sometimes annoying) question.
The thing I hate most about being undeclared is the look. The look is the sad or troubled face others make when they ask about your major and you say "undeclared." Adults and sometimes even other students just often say "Ohh" in a sad or unsure tone, as if being undeclared is the most depressing or nerve-racking thing in the world. Being undeclared is 100 percent okay and I actually encourage it. I know I may be a little biased...but here's why...
At the beginning of this year, I only had one other friend that was undeclared. This only made me feel more out of place and I was so envious of everyone who "knew what they wanted to do." I'd call my parents crying many times and had a mental breakdown at least once a week. Everyone was working hard on finding internships and creating their four-year plans, and I didn't even know what I wanted to major in! I felt so behind and I DO NOT like feeling behind. Before I knew it, it was the middle of first semester and almost all of my friends had switched their majors, some even more than once. At this moment, I began to feel much better about being undeclared. Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't happy that my friends were going through the stress of switching their majors, it just proved to me that not everyone knew what they wanted to do.
Ok, onto something that's a lot bigger than your major: a career. Finding out what you want to do for the next 40 years is not something to take lightly. I've always been a little bit of a "nervous nelly" over my career and what my job was going to be. Quite honestly, it changes like the wind. Since I'm taking an array of general education courses, I'm exploring A LOT of different majors and career paths. One day, I'm interested in the study of Anthropology, the next it's Neuroscience and then there's also Business, writing and film to consider. The bottom line is that as long as you're trying to narrow down your list of majors and trying to gain experience in each of these fields, you'll find the right fit. Also, it feels good to know that almost all of my general education requirements are out of the way too and I can focus on core classes for my major once I find out what that major is.
I used to get so hung up on not knowing what I wanted to do and not being prepared for it, but I am less fearful and more faithful. Here's my advice to those undeclared: As long as you are taking the steps to find out what you want to do (for example, getting involved in student organizations or other experiences), you will find out what you were meant to do. It may take a litle longer, but like I said, it's the next 40 years of your life. It's not a race.
