Why I Chose To Study Something I Was Passionate About In College Over A Practical Major

Choosing a major in college can be a stressful ordeal.  A lot of pressure can be put on incoming freshman to choose a major that will guarantee a successful future. I don’t know about you, but being asked to plan out the rest of your life based on a college major sounds bogus to me. College is supposed to be a positive experience in a young person’s life, not a time full of stress and regret. That’s why when it came time for me to choose a major, I decided to study English, something that I was truly passionate about. Some of you might roll your eyes and think, “Well that’s not practical!” But I beg to differ.  Here are the benefits of studying something you are truly passionate about instead of a practical major.

1. You’re Stuck for at LEAST 4 years

Depending on the degree and area of study, most university careers last at least four years. In these 4 years, wouldn’t you rather be immersed in learning about something that you are actually interested in? Remember, majoring in something means that you are going to have to go through the stress of writing papers, studying for midterms and finals, and giving presentations. In my experience, all of those seemingly stressful tasks are made much more manageable if the subject is something you enjoy learning about. Do yourself a favor and pick something you like!

2. You’ll Learn More About Your Craft

This is especially for those thinking to major in the arts! If you are majoring in writing, theater, dance, etc., your time in college is an opportunity to hone your craft. As a writing minor, I was able to workshop stories with a group of like-minded people as well as get feedback from professors who had published manuscripts and therefore experience in the field. These are the years to really work towards what makes you happy and learn the skills that will help you make your passion a career!

3. You Will Feel More Motivated

Let’s face it, college can be hard! There will be days when you won’t want to get out of bed for that 8 AM class you regret signing up for. However, if the class is something you enjoy studying, chances are you’ll make it to the shower and to your seat on time.  Hours will become minutes in a lecture that you are fully engrossed in and learning about a subject you find engaging. Not to mention, you are more likely to show up for lectures which will lead to better grades and an overall better GPA!

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4. You’ll Be Happier In The Long Run

Choosing a major you are passionate about can lead to a more fulfilling career! Fast forward 20 years from now  coming home from your dream job. Are you happy? This is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself. If you are not happy in your career, it can be draining to your overall mental health. This could lead to a slew of health conditions and could cause more harm than good. Think about it! Most of us spend half of our day at work. Being angry and stressed is not an ideal situation. If you pursue something that makes you happy, you will be investing in your future!

5. You’re Might Choose a Different Path

I know plenty of people who majored in something, only to end up in a different career. This is not to discourage you from pursuing your passion. Rather it is encouraging you to do so with more fervor! If there is no guarantee, then what is the harm in learning about what you love. The truth is that most majors offer skills that you can apply to other fields. For example, studying English helped me develop my writing and critical thinking skills! These are skills that are highly valued across every field and discipline. So in reality, studying English opened more doors for me in the long run. I can take my pick of careers. And you can too if you follow your passion! This is one of the biggest reasons I didn’t choose a practical major.

Did you choose a practical major in college? Or something you’re passionate about instead of a practical major? Tell us in the comments!

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