There’s only one month left until the semester’s over, and that’s the most welcome yet terrifying news I’ve had all year.

Many a time have Whit writers thought about graduating and what that means. It’s the start of the rest of my life, the end of an era of schooling starting from just five years old.

I had a bit of an untraditional path, starting in film and getting jobs through friends. I really thought for the longest time that that’s what I wanted to do. That is, until I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and long days on tiring sets didn’t seem sustainable.

Even before then, I’ve felt disillusioned with the glamor of filmmaking. Long hours of work amounting to something that could turn out good (or not) down the line wasn’t the most compatible with how I wanted to work.

I also felt that I was more task-oriented than schedule-oriented. The fast-paced days of filmmaking weren’t what I felt prepared for, and I spent most nights before a shoot anxious and nervous for the day ahead, and after tired and apathetic to the results.

I felt a change was needed, because I couldn’t live any longer like that. It was physically and mentally exhausting for me. That’s not to discredit anyone who’s in film or a similar field, I just wasn’t cut out for it.

I tried my hand at journalism in the spring ‘24 semester, and that’s what I ended up falling in love with for the rest of college.

According to the US National Center for Education Statistics, about a third of students switch majors at least once in their college careers. While I technically didn’t change my major, it’s a similar idea.

I found that the more deadline-oriented style of working that journalism entails was better for me. I also enjoy talking with people and learning about them. Why not make it a job to tell real and fascinating stories, which I’ve always been fond of.

Besides, I still get to enjoy my love of cameras. Videography and photography are huge parts of the journalism world, and aren’t going anywhere any time soon.

Changing majors, or not knowing exactly what you want to do, even up to the cap and gown ceremony, is okay. 

Even if it’s not changing majors, it could be just a change of direction. That’s okay too.

If you feel like you struggle with your major, if your interests have changed, or you feel like you can’t work like this for the rest of your life, there is room to look around.

You could think about a change in major, or picking up a minor to take classes, or even doing a deep dive on your own.

There are some majors that are more hands-on and less class-oriented, like film, that one can get a job in without having taken courses (though they help). In that case, joining a club is also a great option.

There’s no one way to find your path in life, and the traditional way of sticking to a four year degree isn’t always the correct path for many. It wasn’t for me.

The one thing I implore is not to waste your time. Take responsibility for your path. Chat with professors and advisors, and colleagues in the field you want to pursue or dabble in.

Four years is a long time, but it cannot be wasted away doing something you hate.

I find the adage of “if you do a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” to be false. Work will always come with hardships.

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