Choosing the ideal major is a major decision.

Somehow college students are expected to know what they are good at and want to do for the next 40 years straight out of high school.

I’ve changed my major, and I’m not ashamed. It was the best decision I’ve made. Unfortunately, many students feel that switching majors is synonymous with “giving up.”

Sophomore Courtney Duckworth has switched her major twice.

“I was a nursing major, then changed to exercise science and now I’m changing to occupational therapy,” Duckworth said. “For some reason, I felt ashamed, like I had failed myself and my family, but I think I’ve finally found the right major.”

I am an English education major. Time and time again I’ve had people tell me that I need to go for science or math to obtain a job in English education. In response, I added a minor in science teaching over the summer.

I hated it.

I was stressed, miserable and did nothing but study and work. I hated the long labs and realized I could never teach something I did not love.

After talking with my advisor, attending USI’s major and minor fair, crying on the phone with my mother and researching my options, I made a decision. I am now a psychology and English education double major. I’ve always had a fascination with psychology but never pursued it, because I didn’t want to be a psychologist. Turns out, it is useful for my degree, and I can even teach it.

There is no shame in changing a major for whatever reason. I pay thousands of dollars each year for my education, so I definitely want to have a career that is more than a paycheck. I won’t be showering in Benjamins anytime soon, but I am content that this career path will make me happy.

Changing a major is a relatively simple process and no one should be embarrassed, feel like they are “dumb” or believe they have failed anyone. Find your passion and do something you love and you will never work a day in your life.