Have you ever felt like your major or career is what’s holding you back? Sometimes a major shift in your profession can be just what we need. Some people make it through college, then life, without ever changing their minds. They are content with having hobbies and still somehow love what they do. Some people are unsure of what they want and remain in a sort of limbo. It could never be emphasized enough, that doing what you love instead of what people say you need, will greatly improve your mental health. Having stability will also greatly improve your mental health, but for just about every subject out there, there is a job waiting for you.
Just over a year ago, I was experiencing a major inner conflict in terms of my education and where I was going with my life. I never really experienced a shift in interest, rather it was the realization that what I was studying wasn’t what I loved.
I had yet to make strong connections to people in my major and struggled to keep up. As a mathematics major, I consistently felt like I was behind. It was at this same time, I figured I would go for a double major, one in Mathematics and the other, Art History. About a month into the semester, I decided to drop Mathematics entirely and switch to Art History.
Enrollment problems wouldn’t be an issue, as I was already in several classes that I needed to complete an art history major. I looked at my degree audit and realized that doing Art History would actually be the better move. I was also considering going to Law School, so I talked to a representative who assured me that skills learned doing Art History would be just as useful and encouraged me to do something I loved so that I would appear to be a better student.
In the classes I was enrolled in, I had already met some amazing people who quickly became close friends. Something I had failed to experience in Mathematics, which was full of people who refused to talk or even exchange phone numbers in order to create study groups. I noticed that the entire program was full of people who were eternally suffering in isolation.
The friends I made studying art have become a bit of a backbone for me. We are constantly learning from each other and collaborating in our art. Making connections with them, and switching majors into something I actually want has made such a huge difference in the quality of my life. I am happier, more active and the negative stress I endured in Math is gone, and instead, I have the kind of stress I can use effectively. I do not regret my decision to switch, for the first time, I know what I want, and I know what steps I need to take in order to get there.
Now, I spend hours contemplating and getting myself excited for my future, I spend more time doing research into things related to but separate from my classes. I am looking forward to any graduate school opportunities I may find as well as possible internships and residencies, and I am eternally grateful to the person who made the tough decision to switch.
I recommend doing the same thing if you are as unsure as I was. When you enjoy your life, you start looking to the future. You have more things to get excited about and no matter what, you’ll find a way to support yourself financially. Then, a couple years down the road, you will be able to thank your past self.