I hate writing papers that have to do with subconscious topics and would rather do math problems or learn about a physics concept. I’m nervous about taking college chemistry and physics. What do you suggest?

There’s no wrong answer here. Every subject will require hard work to master, but they are all masterable.

When I was in high school, I was very much into science and medicine and the idea of being a doctor. At the time, my parents didn’t really push me one way or the other, and said they’d be okay with whatever I chose to do – perhaps this was because there were still a few years before I’d have to actually choose.

I came into college as a bio major because I enjoyed it; as time went on, however, I came to enjoy it less and less until eventually I started hating it. I stuck with it though, I suppose partly because I was in too deep and partly because of the disapproval I’d be greeted with from family and family friends.

I also started to think about doing things other than medicine and becoming a doctor, only this time when I mentioned it to my parents, they were vocally upset. I didn’t press the matter further because, hey, I’d always wanted to be a doctor, and I still had a year or two left, right?

Looking back, I would have majored in something else; perhaps English and/or a language or two (German or Arabic maybe). I would have explored a lot of other career paths. I have not yet committed myself to medicine and I still have some time left, but I know I’ll have to break it to my parents sooner or later.

Anyway, reading this article has helped me in a small, albeit important, way.

On the opposite end, I struggle with clinical depression – so am I stuck in a catch-22? There must be a way around these 2 issues.

Now I’m going to waste two years studying something just bc I’m in. Any advice?

If that’s what you’re stuck doing that’s what you’re stuck doing. Focus on being an efficient A* student in this major. Follow the Rule of One to avoid overwork which will in turn breed deep procrastination. Finally, do some of your own reading on Cog Sci — if you can build your own, self-sustained excitement for it, you’ll find it much easier.

even hinting that you like or dislike a given major can push a student into crisis. It’s frustrating, I know,”

Wow. thank you for that article. Actually made me tear up a bit. I’m in the middle of what feels like a ‘crisis’ in my mind. Got accepted to amazing UCLA for a major my parents wanted me to study, since I’m a transfer student and I’m pretty much stuck in my major now. Studying CogSci,always wanted to study Design, but impossible to get in. I’ve really feel I screwed myself, and I know its important to take responsibility for your actions but I can’t help but secretly resent my parents for always talking bad about my ‘design’ goals ever since I was little and only being proud of me when I mentioned ‘cogsci’. Now I’m going to waste two years studying something just bc I’m in. Any advice?

thanks for the article

Thank you for this article, I feel better now for telling her no with such a firm hand even though she thinks I am being childish I hope she see I feel happy in my major.

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