This is my third year at Queen’s and I find myself struggling with that, “What do you want to do with your major?” question. This year, I switched my medial in Sociology and Political Studies to a Political Studies major and Sociology minor. It was a pretty stressful decision because, like many others, I have no idea what I want to do with my degree; however, I’ve come to realize that it’s okay to feel this way.
I know that everyone says you have lots of time to figure out what you want to do, but the pressure of finding summer internships and making sure you’re still enjoying your classes is a constant concern. Recently, I have found that even though we have the freedom to figure this out in university, there is also a parallel pressure to start considering a second degree, LSATs, MCATs, or other paths. This struggle, along with the constant need to tailor your resume, can be exhausting. Time flies in university and it’s easy to feel like you can’t even begin to answer any of the questions that surface about your future.
You are going to have some friends who are unbelievably prepared and already studying for their LSATs. You are also going to have friends who consider changing their majors every other day. No matter which position you are in, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to have all of the answers right now. If you’re feeling uncertain about your future and the pressure is building up, take time to consider all the things you are truly interested in.
Last year I felt like I wasn’t taking many classes I was passionate about, and didn’t feel truly invested in any clubs or activities. So, this year I made an effort to get involved in groups that I knew I would truly enjoy and get excited about. Find small things you enjoy, like writing, reading, teaching, traveling, playing sports or debating. Once you participate in activities outside of the classroom you tend to get a better idea of what you’re really interested in. This can help you learn about yourself, and discover more of what you might want to do after university.
If you’re still struggling with feeling lost in your major, definitely go speak with an academic advisor about your options. They might be able to help you feel more secure in your degree, or make you realize you don’t have to take that three hour long lecture that you dread going to. Instead, you can use that time to take a class that could open up a new area of interest. Either way, it never hurts to ask the experts what they think.
When the impending future is still getting you down, it’s important to remember that everything is relative. These problems will most likely work themselves out. Every day is a process but as long as you’re making an effort to find more things that you love, eventually you will find your way. When friends are stressing over their LSAT scores and resume builders, remember that not knowing what you’re going to do is not a bad thing. I have to constantly remind myself that there truly is time to work all of this out. I may not be certain I am going to be a doctor, lawyer or politician but I do know what makes me happy. The most important thing to remember is that most people are in the same position as you. So, take some time to figure out what you love, take classes that truly interest you, and try to stress less about the future, because you will figure it out eventually.