The Major Breakdown
Here is to all the girls who have no clue what they are doing in college or after college. Here is to all the girls who do not know their major, their concentration, or even their field of study. Here is to all the girls who know–or thought they knew–and suddenly the world turned upside down. Here is to all the girls who have had the Major Breakdown.
The Major Breakdown begins as a question–a “umm…wait a sec” as you sit quietly in your general ed credit class. You took this Philosophy class for a fun, easy credit and now…what can you do with a Philosophy Major? You were on the Pre-med track and your thirty year plan was so set in stone, your chisel was getting rusty. But Chemistry 101 is starting to feel like Chemistry 1001 and you are so lost, Dora the Explorer won’t be able to find you. Your first thought is about your parents. “What will they think if I don’t become a doctor?” This thought is quickly pushed aside by your new independent college mind. This is your life not theirs. But then you start thinking about your life. The Major Breakdown hits you. From here, your breathing becomes heavy. Your heart pulses as quickly as your Chem Prof moves through the notes. You reach for your chocolate–your elliptical–your best friend. All of a sudden you are bawling your eyes out and confessing that the only reason you wanted to become a doctor was because of Grey’s Anatomy.
The Major Breakdown. It gets all of us.
But take a deep breath. Even if you don’t believe in yourself, I do. I know you’re going to be okay. How do I know this? Because you are awesome, that’s how. So wipe those tears off your face. You are not alone in this. It may seem like everyone else has her life together; the key word here is “seem.” Every person on campus, even the ones who had their major planned since day one, has had the Major Breakdown. They have all doubted and cried and wondered about the future. Seek these people out. Be a collector of advice from your peers, your teachers, your advisors, your SI leaders. Surprisingly, some of their advice may be relevant to you. Talk to your family and friends because, despite your newfound independence, they might help you figure you out. And most of all, do not be afraid to take a leap of faith. If you are drawn toward a passion, explore it! Take a class. Talk to the teacher. Explore an internship. These passions may just lead you down the right path–the path far away from the Major Breakdown. So, before you wallow in the tears of a river full of unknowns, take a deep breath. You are going to be just fine.