Many people want to take the road less travelled. But not me. I prefer taking the road that is old and worn from use. It means that the road works…if you can manage to stay on it. Although many people have travelled on this road, it does not mean that the road does not have its own obstacles.
That’s how I feel about finding a major I like, choosing a career path I want to pursue. I won’t be one of those people who design their own majors, curriculum, and creative niche within the school programs. I’m the one pursuing a major that has been around for awhile; it even has a suggested timeline of when to take certain classes and so forth.
I really enjoyed math and science back in high school, but even then, I never could figure out which major to become. It was at the end of junior year that I picked a major. Just so when a fellow student, or a college application asks the question, “What major are you going to be?”, I have an answer other than “undeclared”.
I did put some thought into choosing a major. I was doing well in most of my math and science classes, so that narrowed down the choices. The clincher was really the scores I received on my AP exams and SAT Subject Tests. They provided enough numerical reinforcement to back up my decision to major in Chemistry. I liked the class while taking it, and I willingly studied very hard to understand the subject very well. It also satisfied my parents that I chose a major where I could find easily find a job, and a secure, well-paid one while I’m at it.
Although now I am well into my preparation classes for my major, I realized that just liking the subject does not mean you are good at it compared to other people. You have to study, maybe for hours, before you start understanding what the book is trying to teach you.
It often makes me self-reflect on my decision to become a Chemistry major. I’m not doing so well in my chemistry classes. Does that mean I should find another major to switch to? But I have no idea what major to switch to, I really enjoy learning about chemistry even though the other students in my class know the material better than I do. But then again, I don’t what I can do with a Chemistry degree. I haven’t done much research on it. I also take in the cost of housing and tuition and financial aid should I change majors. In the end, I continue on the path I have already started taking.
Taking the more-travelled road does not mean I can be on cruise-control, absent-mindedly driving on, not noticing anything. To get to my goal, the destination, I have to pay attention and stay on the path. The road may be worn from use, but it’s dependable.
Why do I do what I do? Because I’ll be lost if I took the road less-travelled. And I’m already somewhat lost taking the other road.
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