As someone studying English, I always get mixed reactions and responses when I answer the rudimentary college ‘get-to-know-you’ question: “What’s your major?” Some people are surprised because it’s not too common to hear, others assume it’s easy compared to STEM majors, and some respond in admirance at the thought of taking on a major that involves so much reading and writing — which I’ve found is many people’s least favorite thing to do. In my experience being surrounded by students on a pre-med track, studying computer science or engineering, and are pursuing majors known for being difficult and well-accredited, it can be difficult feeling like you’re on a completely different route.
I don’t often find other people who share the same major as me when meeting new people outside of classes. I get excited when I meet other English majors that I haven’t already encountered within the circulation of students in the same various lower-division English requirement classes. I, thankfully, can’t relate to most of my friends and people around me as they groan over studying for midterms because all of my midterms are in the form of essays. But, while others are cramming for exams, I’m reading and analyzing countless pieces of literature.
Without fully being immersed in the chaos that comprises ‘midterm season,’ it’s easy for me to doubt my intellectual skills and feel ‘imposter syndrome’ at UC Berkeley. The academic environment of English and other humanities classes I’ve taken are also distinct in their smaller class size. They diverge from the typical lecture format of STEM classes in their discussion-based style, often reminding me of the atmosphere of my high school classes. Professors easily notice if students don’t show up to class or aren’t actively engaged.
It’s already hard feeling like the experience of completing your major is different than most, but when others discredit the work you’re doing when you know your interests lie apart from theirs makes it even harder. But I know that I’d rather study something I’m genuinely interested in than invest all my energy into a major that aligns with a job I wouldn’t personally enjoy.