The ONE THING I wish somebody told me before starting college
Right about now most high school seniors have already declared their colleges (CONGRATS) and are ready to jump into the abyss of adulthood.
As I’m nearing the end of my first year of college I am also reflecting on all the lessons I’ve learned while on this wild ride. For example, if you call yourself a freshman you are automatically not cool. The correct lingo is first-year, second-year, etc. Don’t embarrass yourself, you’re welcome.
While hiding the fact that you’re naive 17-year old fresh out high school is important, it’s not the main lesson I’m here to discuss. I’m here today to tell you that it’s 100% okay to have no idea what you want to do with your life. Unless you’re from the lucky few who actually sticks to the life plan they created during their sophomore year of high school, you will enter college questioning everything about yourself. You wanna know what? That’s okay and I encourage you to feel a little lost until you can get a proper grip of yourself.
I used to hate hate hate being told that when I get to college I’m going to “find myself” and “discover who I really am”. I am very stubborn and a huge perfectionist; I thought I had it all planned out to the very last bit of detail up until I actually got a taste of college. My plan was to attend a CSU, become an English teacher, and spend the rest of my life reading literature to moody teenagers. I applied to UCLA as an English major and have since then changed my major twice. From English to Business Economics to Sociology.
There is absolutely no shame in playing hopscotch and jumping between all sorts of majors — just make sure that you don’t find yourself with a bunch of units that can’t be applied to any single major. The safe area is your first year of college; you can jump around as much as you’d like and as long as you land somewhere by the end of the year you should be fine.
Don’t underestimate those general education requirements. I absolutely loathe math and science, but because I was forced to take a food science class during my first year I was able to discover my love for research (which is perfect especially since I attend a UC otherwise I’d be SCREWED). My new love for research (and Criminal Minds) led me towards Sociology. Loosen up and enjoy those pesky first two years of GEs because you have no idea where they will lead you. Who knows, if you discover which major you’re in love with soon enough, then you can select GE classes that are related to those interests. It’s all interconnected; trust me.
Spend your first year exploring your interests and discovering new passions. Turn some new leaves and take some time to slow down and truly figure out what it is you want to study for the next 4–10 years of your life. For all my Christians who are reading, let God guide you and pray that He gives you direction and purpose. Everything will be alright in the end.
TL;DR You don’t need to know what major you’re doing to study while you’re in high school. Use your first year of college playing a little leap frog and jumping between majors until you find one that you like and do not feel ANY shame in doing so. Remember, you will be the one paying off those student loans ten years form now so make this degree worth it.
Love always, M.
