Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Choosing a Major is an Important Endeavor

By Laurel O’Brien
JournaliZm

College applications, SAT scores, part-time jobs, internships, college visits. The list goes on and on. Can I even have a social life when I’m this busy? On top of juggling my already busy schedule, I suddenly need to choose what I want to do with the rest of my life. Perfect. I’m not old enough to drink alcohol or vote, but somehow, I’m old enough to choose my career. Makes sense, right?

As a rising senior amid the chaos that is college applications, I know that I am one of millions fretting over everything. And although rising seniors shouldn’t necessarily be focusing on choosing a major quite yet, I’ve always been someone who plans far into the future. I’ve decided what I want to major in: English.

How did I come to this decision? Honestly, I’m not sure. I know I’m lucky to have discovered a passion in high school, through the myriad of extra- curriculars I chose to explore. Working with my high school’s literary magazine led me to dis- cover my love for writing, which I have continued to pursue, as evident by this internship I’ve decided to take at Texas Metro News. I enjoy the freedom that comes with writing, how I have room to be creative and experimental.

However, I have no idea what I want to do career-wise. With an English major, I could be a journalist, a lawyer, an author, an editor. The options are open, and that’s a bit daunting, but oddly it’s also reassuring. I have four years to decide what I want to do with my major.

However, if you’re also a rising senior stressing over college applications, don’t worry about choosing a major immediately. You have time! College is your opportunity to experiment, and figure out how your interest, talents, and strengths fit into your professional life.

Laurel O’Brien is a senior at Ursuline Academy of Dallas. A native Dallasite, she was raised on Tex Mex and gratitude. She hopes to bring a little Southern charm to everything she writes.