College is widely considered the time to find yourself, and this is done in many different ways. Some students dye their hair, join a club, or rush a sorority. Since one of the defining aspects of your college education is your major, it goes without saying that many students also find themselves in the process of figuring out what they want to study. A student with a lifelong dream to become a doctor may change her mind to pursue literature or history. A student majoring in history because she liked it in high school may find herself in a biology or chemistry class deciding to work towards applying to medical school. Both students in these scenarios are still in a good place, as it is completely normal to alter your personality and interests in college. Because of this, many students change their major, me included.
Changing your major can be a scary thing, no matter how drastic your change is. I spent my high school career loving science and came into college as a food and nutrition major. I genuinely thought I had found my calling, even though sometimes I would tell people, “my dream job is to be a celebrity’s publicist.” As the first semester of my freshman year continued, I started entertaining that idea more. I was interested in how PR stunts happen and how certain media outlets can affect the public’s opinion on people, but I was afraid to turn to the unknown.
Obtaining a nutrition major was manageable and the job market for dietitians was growing at a stellar rate, but I was bored. I was dreading taking more nutrition classes and dedicating my time to it. I was afraid of the weed-out classes because I knew my lack of passion meant I could be easily weeded-out. As the end of the semester became closer and closer, I realized I had to make a decision about my future.
My advice for anyone in that situation is to acknowledge your feelings, figure out where you want to be, and take steps to further the process as slow as you need. Being interested in science had been a part of my identity for so long that I did not feel comfortable dropping nutrition all together, even though I knew I did not want a future in it. Although it is common to second guess the major you picked when applying to college, the actual act of changing once you are enrolled in classes is daunting, especially when it is completely up to you to talk to your advisor and arrange your classes. I had to cry and write and think a lot before I really understood what I needed to do. Even after this I still was indecisive for a while. After spending time at home to gain clarity, I added Public Relations as a minor. Then a few weeks later I added it as a major alongside nutrition. Then, over winter break, I dropped nutrition completely.
If you drastically change your major, you are essentially turning away from who you thought you were as a senior in high school. To do this is one of the scariest feelings in the world, but it is completely normal. In fact, you should want to be different from who you were when you were younger. I consider myself a spontaneous person, as my biggest fear is trapping myself. Although the decision to change majors was difficult, I am immensely proud of myself for deciding to follow my dreams and not wait until later. Now, I am in classes where I enjoy studying because I am studying what interests me. If you feel stuck or bored in your major, please consider a change. It can be a tough choice to shift your focus in college, but you owe it to yourself to pursue your passion.