"Finding My Major" by K'Myra Smith

When I first came to college, I truly thought I had everything figured out about my major choice. In high school, we used the Common App to apply to colleges, and every time, without even thinking, I chose Biological Sciences as my major. Biology felt like the safest and smartest choice because people always talk about how reliable healthcare jobs are. I liked science in high school, and I always did well in those classes, so I assumed that meant it was the right path for me. But as I started taking actual college biology classes, I felt myself pulling away from it instead of growing into it. It didn’t feel natural the way I expected it to. I’ve learned that many students go through this—coming in confident and then suddenly feeling unsure about what they chose. When I read Berry College’s article “5 Common College Struggles and Hacks for Success,” the section on “Finding a New Major” pulled me in because it described how students often realize their first major doesn’t match their strengths or interests. That section described exactly what I had been feeling. It reminded me that choosing a major shouldn’t be about pressure or what someone is used to, but about what actually fits. Many people say not to choose a career just for the money, but for genuine interest and enjoyment. Students make better decisions when they choose majors that align with their strengths, instead of outside expectations, and my experience is proof of that.

Many students struggle with the pressure of staying in a major that does not fit them, which is why understanding this issue is important before sharing my own experience. That made me think about my own major choice. I kept hoping Biology would eventually make sense or that I would finally “catch on.” I kept studying, going to class, and telling myself that struggling was normal. But after a certain point, I had to be honest. Biology wasn’t clicking for me—not because I wasn’t trying, but because I was constantly falling behind. I failed Biology 1 twice, and I still have to retake it. Now I’m in Biology 2, and I haven’t made a single C on an exam yet. This made me realize that my grades were a sign that the major did not align with my strengths. Additionally, Berry College emphasizes using campus resources before switching majors. I didn’t realize how much support and how many options were available to me until I finally reached out. Talking to advisors and asking questions made me feel less alone and helped me see that staying in a major just because I picked it in high school wasn’t the best decision for me.

I really did try everything to succeed—flashcards, SI sessions, YouTube videos, rewriting notes, and study groups—but I was still barely passing. Every exam felt like a setback, and I walked out feeling embarrassed and disappointed. At one point, I wondered if maybe I wasn’t cut out for college. But MSU’s Career Center article “3 Tips for Choosing Your Major with Confidence” changed how I viewed myself. The article encourages students to focus on their strengths instead of what sounds “impressive,” which helped me reflect on the things I truly enjoy. I like reading, writing, talking to people, and helping others understand things. Biology requires reading too, but it requires a type of scientific reasoning and memorization that didn’t match the kind of reading and communication-based strengths I naturally use. The Career Center also said that a student’s major doesn’t decide their whole future, which was something I really needed to hear. It reminded me that a major is just a beginning, not the final answer.

Once I allowed myself to explore different options, I realized how many paths are out there. My advisor suggested I try a few classes in subjects that interest me, like English or Communication, to see what feels right. I used to assume that being an English major meant students either became a journalist or a teacher, but after looking through MSU’s website, I found out how many careers connect to writing and communication—marketing, digital media, nonprofit work, admissions, social media management, event planning, editing, and more. Even The Reflector has articles about MSU students using communication skills in internships and leadership positions on campus. Seeing that made me realize switching majors wouldn’t limit me at all. If anything, it gave me more room to explore careers I never even considered.

Another thing that helped me decide was paying attention to how I felt in different classes. In science lectures, I would check the time constantly, especially when the entire class was just the professor reading straight from a PowerPoint. I never felt engaged. But in classes like English, where we wrote, analyzed, and talked about ideas, I felt more comfortable and involved. Class went by faster, and I actually enjoyed myself. I think a lot of students ignore these feelings because they assume the subject they’re naturally good at is “too easy” or doesn’t count. But that’s not true. Sometimes, the things that feel natural are signs of where a student’s strengths are. And when something fits those strengths, students don’t have to force themselves through it. 

This whole experience has taught me that being unsure is normal. For a long time, I felt embarrassed about wanting to switch majors because I thought it made me look inconsistent or confused. But the more people I talked to, the more I realized that almost everyone changes their mind at least once. College isn’t about picking a major and sticking to it even when a student feels miserable. It’s about learning who you are, what you’re good at, and what you enjoy. Switching my major doesn’t mean I failed. It means I’m finally paying attention to what actually works for me. Berry College’s article reminded me that college is about growth, and the MSU Career Center showed me that there are resources to guide students. Combining those things with my own experience made my decision a lot clearer. 

I also learned that students don’t have to plan their entire futures at eighteen. I used to think choosing a major was the same as choosing a career forever, but that isn’t true. A major is a direction, not a life sentence. What matters is picking a direction where there is room to succeed and grow. Staying in Biology made me feel stuck and overwhelmed most of the time. Exploring majors that fit my strengths makes me feel more confident and motivated. In the end, this whole process helped me understand why choosing a major based on my strengths is so important. When students do that, they give themselves a better chance at enjoying college instead of just trying to survive it. I want other students who feel stuck or confused to know that it’s okay to pause, rethink things, and choose a major that actually works for them. Changing directions isn’t starting over—it’s choosing better for yourself. And once a student finds a major that truly fits who they are, everything else becomes a little clearer. 

Works Cited

“3 Tips for Choosing Your Major with Confidence.” Mississippi State University Career Center, 2025, https://www.career.msstate.edu/blog/2025/07/28/3-tips-for-choosing-your-major-with-confidence/. 

“5 Common College Struggles and Hacks for Success.” Berry College, 18 Jan. 2024, https://www.berry.edu/articles/blog/2024/5-common-college-struggles.