It seems that from the moment of conception, society determines the path best for each person and the necessary pressures to push him or her there along the way. In many cases, that long and winding road leads to college. Whether immediately or eventually, this means having to choose a major. And this choosing a major business can become a major pain in the you-know-what. While resolving life-long aims and goals used to be something near enjoyable or promising, it has now become something closer to an anxiety attack.
Such anxiety can lead to noticeable symptoms such as bulging veins or PMS (pre-major syndrome). When you see a friend walking by who looks more likely to kill you with her three-ring binder than wave hello, she could be suffering from major headaches.
Some people know from their first day of elementary school that they were meant to be those studly doctors or dirty politicians who the rest of the civilized world seems to admire. At some point or another, the rest of us are stuck with the hefty task of choosing what direction our lives should take. It's quite a daunting idea, especially with all the choices at a school that boasts of over 300 programs.
The UA is home to somewhere around 37,000 students, only 3,000-5,000 of whom have yet to declare a major. However, do not be fooled. Not everyone who has declared a major has any idea where they want to go with it. Statistically speaking, at least 70 percent of students change their major at least once during their undergraduate career, at some point experiencing that "Hmm, wouldn't I rather design a better keyboard than dissect frogs for the rest of my life?" feeling.
No one is going to slaughter your first born for changing your major from underwater basket weaving to East Asian studies. In fact, some might congratulate you. Getting the lay of the land is simply a good idea. People are much too focused on getting it done and getting out in four years. It's important to sit back in a class taken for no other reason than personal intellectual fulfillment.
The UA might not yet be completely research-oriented, but certainly few would consider it a liberal arts school. To achieve a well-rounded college experience, and complete a major as well, takes personal investment.
In times like this, sometimes it comes down to whether you would rather be worldly or wealthy. Some people think that choosing a major in an area that they are passionate about won't lead to fortune and fame. The general idea is that you have to be an engineer, a lawyer or a doctor to make the big bucks. However, a survey by the Department of Education showed that 45 percent of college graduates work outside their major field of study. So majoring in sociology, Greek or jazz studies won't necessarily mean that eating at McDonald's will become equivalent to a night on the town. Spicy chicken for 99 cents! What a deal!
It's important to keep in mind what is going to be enjoyable and not just what can rake in the dough. Anyone who can manage to graduate from college in four (or five) years deserves congratulations, regardless of the major.
Choosing a major doesn't need to come in the first year or even the second, though good luck finishing if you can't choose by the third.
When taking the major process slowly, perhaps it's best to reflect on the possibilities. Sit back and meditate on where each major could take you. Think about ecology: "I have the love of animals. I don't mind being outdoors. I'm in a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. I'm walking through the maze of trees documenting all the diverse types of reptiles on the forest floor. I stop to take in the view. But oh no! A snake has just slithered up my back. The poisonous fiend bites my neck and I lay there comatose as a tree sloth comes down to excrete on my solemn remains. Perhaps a major that will keep me in the city would be a better idea."
Sara Warzecka has been worried about her major since she realized in sixth grade that she probably would not be the first woman president. She can be contacted at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.