Written by Ashley Lopez
Hi everyone, welcome back to Ashley Spills. Ashley, here. You can check out my other posts here.
My very short but worthy adulthood has consisted of many different ideas, twists and turns, new approaches, various endeavors, and so much more. My adulthood, or should I say adolescence (just kidding but no really), includes college. What a wonderful time…
College presents (in my case presented) itself with the pressure of balancing schoolwork, regular work, a “hot bod,” social standards, and worst of all—going through college majors and selecting one we’re so sure of within the first two years. Two years to decide what the hell I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I had two years to decide, “okay I’m sure I want to spend $30,000+ on this major.” Nope. I’d like to say I’m pretty sane, but c’mon who can live up to those standards and truly excel in all of them?
Okay, I know there are people out there who do. Let me tell you something: I’m so envious of you all.
I’m 27 years old next week. I graduated when I was 22 and I do not feel like college prepared me for all this mayhem such as my indecisive brain and the workforce. I do not feel like college majors could have help me find myself at the time. However, I would not change it if I could. Let me tell you why.
The “college” experience.
Ah, yes—a classic but valid reason. When else would I have had the chance to dorm, meet new people, live on my own but not really because I lived with people my age, and eat chips at two a.m. while waiting for an Uber to come pick up my roommate and me?
Pieces of my college self slowly make their way back to me to show me who I am.
Though I didn’t find myself in college, with age I find myself piecing me together and making sense of me by remembering old habits, old arguments, old hobbies, etc. I’m a big fan of nostalgia, and when I reminisce on memories it helps me understand my current state of being.
For years I have regretted my major until now.
I am finally writing and though I’m not working in my field (yet), I am doing something I love. I am enhancing my skills with grammar and the English language by taking courses to gain a further understanding. I am challenging myself with new passion projects that entail writing. Most importantly I am proud to say that I am an English major and not feel ashamed of it.
College majors can be stressful: Did you make the right choice?
If you’re still struggling to find your purpose after college think back to it. Why did you choose your major? What sparked your interest in it? Can you go back and try to make a career out of it even if you have to start from the bottom? Starting from the bottom isn’t always bad. Remember to enjoy the process. Check out my blog post on 10 ways to enjoy the process again: https://ashley-spills.com/10-ways-to-enjoy-the-process-again/.
If you chose your major for the wrong reason(s) then think back and ask yourself this: what did you truly envision yourself doing? Remind yourself of your past goals and dreams.
I know a lot of ambitions seem out of reach—trust me I struggle with that every day. But you can make a distance reachable by creating action items, dedicating time, and believing in yourself; though, the first step is to believe in yourself. You have to be your biggest fan.
Thanks for reading, xo.
College majors
Click here for a list of college majors!