So here’s the thing, we’ve made it to college and some of us have an idea of what we want to do for the rest of our lives as a career. We have the chance to prepare ourselves within four years of learning to walk into the open doors of the working world. On the other hand some of us have no idea what we want to do and enter college undeclared.
Then there is me.
I went through two years of college pursuing a major I thought was the right path for me and upon my junior year I decided to change it. It was a long process of reflecting, and at times I felt like I was probably the only junior deciding to change my major so late in the game. Well, I know I’m not the only one who decides to change majors half way through college and I know that it’s OKAY to change. That is one of the beautiful things about college, although we may have an idea or dream of what we want to do, we get to have experiences that open all kinds of doors to opportunities we had never considered.
After completing the second term of my freshmen year I realized my classes weren’t inspiring me or motivating me towards a future career. The lack of inspiration became my biggest challenge when taking these rigorous courses. I spent many long hours studying and working with tutors to strengthen my understanding but nothing could improve the lack of passion for a career I once thought I wanted to pursue.
Sophomore year rolled around and I continued to stick it out. I can be very stubborn in the sense that I don’t like to give up on challenges and in my head I thought that if I chose to change my major I would be giving up. Silly me. I was in the lowest low I had ever been in and my unhappiness was taking its toll on me. I never thought that school and classes could make me question who I was and what the hell I really wanted to do with my life- but it did.
I had countless conversations with my family and close friends by the end of my sophomore year about what the best path for me could be. I had to think about my true passions, my strengths, and even my flaws. I couldn’t bare thinking about continuing two more years doing something I didn’t love.
When I made my decision to change I was lucky to have support from family and friends, but if you put that aside, the only thing that matters is how YOU feel, and what makes YOU happy, because it is YOUR life. You get to determine the path that is right for you.
I don’t regret the time it took for me to change my major because during that time I was able to experience growth and develop a stronger understanding of who I am and where I want to be.
As you begin your college years, or even if you are half way through, stay open minded to the endless possibilities that may come before you. It’s never too late to change your mind.