You are so good at math, why don’t you be an engineer? Your parents are engineers. Don't you want to follow in their footsteps? Why did you quit nursing? Why do you waste your time on photography? You’re so smart!

These are the things that I hear on a daily basis. Yes I like math and I am great at it, but that doesn’t mean that I want to spend my entire life doing it. Photography and Communication is what I love, and I am great at it too. So, why should I settle for a career that is second best simply because it might make me more money? No Reason!

You probably hear the same sort of things in your life; from you peers, from your parents, from your professors. But it is important that you do what is best for you. Here are some tips to put yourself first.

1. Remember that it is your life.

This sounds simple. You’re probably thinking “Duh! Of course it is my life.” However, we tend to get caught up in what people think about us. Remember it is your life and live it the way you want to even if that isn’t what others have in mind for you.

2. Join ALL the clubs.

If you think you might be interested in something but you don’t want to fully commit to a major see if there is a related club you can join. You would be surprised at the kind of clubs you can join, and you will learn something in the process.

3. Take non-major classes.

Even if you really want to be a biology major, it is good not to take all biology classes. Take an art class once in a while. Take a music class. Doing something different allows your brain a break so you are less likely to get burnt out.

4. Don’t talk to people that try to tell you what to do.

I am not saying you should stop talking to your friends and parents. Just when the subject comes up of them trying to persuade you to go a different way gently tell them that this is your life and you have chosen what to do with it and you won’t participate in a conversation where they are trying to tell you what to do.

5. Be proud of who you are.

You might not be on your way to curing cancer or solving the world’s problems. But no matter what you do you are making a difference to somebody. That counts! So don’t put yourself down for not being as successful as others, but remember your accomplishments and value them.