By: HAYLEY FOWLER
As a second semester Junior at Brenau University I decided to change my major from Pre-Occupational Therapy to Mass Communications. This experience taught me a lot about myself and that I should continue to follow my dreams throughout life.
1. Do something you love, you will be good at it
If you’re doing something you love you will want to put the energy and work into being good at it. Practicing won’t seem like work when you love what you are doing.
After, discovering that I enjoyed planning events in my sorority and thought I might want to pursue another career my pursuit towards a career in healthcare seemed gruesome. I realized that I no longer wanted to be an Occupational Therapist and the things I used to enjoy learning about seemed like torture.
Sometimes dreams and goals change, but that’s okay. College is all about growing. From moving away from home, living with roommates, being financially independent, and juggling school work and extracurricular you live and learn more than you might expect. You may realize that things you used to do and enjoy you no longer do. That’s just you growing into a stronger person! Don’t try to muffle these feelings, Embrace them.
2. More Happiness means less stress
Not doing something you love is stressful. Not being happy with your career choices can cause you to feel unmotivated in all aspects of your life. Studying something you love and enjoy doing can help relieve stress.
My stress level the semester before I changed my major was the highest it had ever been. Trying to make good grades and studying something I realized I no longer enjoyed left me stressed out and ready to quit. Due to the stress my grades were also suffering. Since, I’ve changed my major my grades are great and my stress level has greatly decreased. I feel motivated and like I am ready to take on anything!
3. Do you cause, nobody else can
If you don’t take care of yourself who else will? Only you can decide what is best for yourself. Sometimes it can be hard to listen to yourself when friends, family, and loved ones want to offer their opinion. It can be hard to listen to your inner voice. If you are having a hard time making a decision go somewhere you can be completely alone. No cell phone, no t.v. or any other electronics. You may be worried about what others may think, however more than likely they just want what is best for you! Making decisions on your own will also teach you to be more independent and confident in yourself. The only person that can make a difference in your life is you.
Before I changed my major I was nervous about what my friends and parents would think. It was such a relief when I told my parents I wanted to change my major. I thought they would be mad or disappointed, but I found out they just wanted what was best for me. Now we have a closer relationship and I feel like I can talk to them about anything.
4. Money isn’t everything
Money can’t buy happiness- cliché but true. Making six figures, but hating your job won’t make you happy. Chances are if you don’t follow your dreams you’ll be working for someone who did. When deciding what major to choose put money aside for a moment. Just think about what you love to do. Once you figure that out then think realistically about your career choice and what lifestyle you will be able to afford. You may have to budget your lifestyle, however at the end of the day you will be doing what you love and that’s priceless!
When I first came to Brenau my main concern in choosing a major and a career was the job market. Occupational Therapy students at Brenau have a 100% job success rate within a year after graduating. Salary and job outlook were the main deciding factors when I decided on a major. However, I later realized that the being unhappy, stressed, and anxious was not worth any amount of money.
5. You’ll never think “What if?”
Life your life with no regrets! Now is your time to go to college and do and be whoever you want to be. Although possible, it is hard to change your mind, go back to school, and change your career when you have kids and bills to pay. Take the opportunity now, while you have the time to live your life to the fullest. Don’t regret not following your dreams 10 years from now when you don’t have the opportunity. Graduate knowing that you embraced every opportunity that was given to you!
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