Going into my undergraduate studies, I thought that I wanted to work in the medical field. In high school, I had a positive experience with a chemistry class and thought this would be something to pursue in college. However, soon into my first year, I realized something was missing from my studies: passion.
I was often terrified and depressed showing up to class. It seemed a lot of my peers knew exactly what they were doing and found enjoyment in it; I felt lost. I thought to myself, “why in the world did I choose this?” Then, I took an Introduction to Psychology course and the ideas being presented by my professor resonated greatly with me.
When I was young, my mother was arrested and I lost a relationship with one of the most important people in my life. I developed an anxiety disorder, sunk into a shell, and sometimes life just felt unbearable and impossible. While socially I was somewhat withdrawn, I found myself asking so many questions about my observations of the outside world. I noticed things about others and wondered why they behaved that way.
Switching my major was difficult. My family expressed doubt about the potential for a psychology degree versus a medical degree. But I knew in my gut that this decision was right for me. I didn’t automatically jump to the conclusion of what exactly I wanted to study (as psychology is extremely broad), but over the course of college, I found my niche. It took one Research Methods course designing a study with a small group of classmates and reading lots of literature before realizing that I wanted to pursue Forensic Psychology.
Now, I am applying to graduate schools and super excited about the future. I think it is important for everyone to realize that you may not know what you want to do right away. As an 18-year-old going into college, you’re pressured to make quick decisions about your future––but never settle. When you attend school, you’re investing in your future. For me, I wanted to make sure that future was something I felt passionate about. And who knows? Maybe I’m wrong! But you’ll never know until you take that risk. It’s never too late.