I am writing this article the night before I start my sophomore year of college. To be honest, it feels a bit crazy. I truly cannot believe that I am already at this point.
I still feel like I should be a senior in high school because that was the last time I went to a “normal” school before COVID. Instead, I am a sophomore who is unfamiliar with my college campus and anxious about my in-person class setting. However, I am also really excited to finally experience college in a semi-normal setting with a few socially distanced in-person events, sporting events and classes on campus. Luckily, I am vaccinated and my university has taken necessary precautions, so I feel safe enough to do so. Nevertheless, I cannot get the thought out of my head that everything will be moved online again because of the COVID-19 Delta Variant. This is largely because I live in a state with a low vaccination rate and because this year is eerily seeming similar to the calm before the storm with COVID cases last spring. Overall though, I am excited for what the school year will bring, and I am happy to be taking more classes related to my major instead of the general education classes that I mostly took last semester.
As if on queue, my sophomore year also seems to be the year that I question every career decision that I have made so far. When I came to college, I thought that I had everything figured out. However, I have come to learn that this is simply untrue. I know that this is a pretty common experience among college students, but it took me a bit off guard. Truthfully though, I think that this is a good thing to happen. It forces me to re-evaluate what I am really interested in and also encourages me to set more realistic goals for myself. As a political science and international studies major, this is hard for me though because I have always been one to set extremely unrealistic career goals for myself. I know I need to be more rational unless I want to be disappointed in the future for not being President of the United States (to be honest, this is still my totally unrealistic dream job). Luckily, doubting your major is pretty common. I love my major, specifically because of the versatility and opportunities, so I know that I am where I need to be. However, there will always be a nagging voice in my head saying that I made the wrong choice. On the other hand, if you really feel like you are in the wrong major, be sure to talk to your advisor and do further research, because you likely still have time to change.
Growing old is scary, but it is just a part of life. Overall, I am really happy with where I am and I cannot wait to see what my sophomore year has in store for me.