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I Majored in Something I Hate

Ah, college. The life experience. The lessons. The mistakes and photos you wish you didn’t pose for and even worse, that someone posted on facebook. Well, at least you studied for the major you wanted to right?…Right?

How’d you like college?

“Bleh. Liked it but not necessarily my major.”

Meet Cora. No, that’s not her real name. She asked for a certain amount of anonymity. Why Cora? ‘Cause that’s the first name I came up with when I searched my short term memory for interesting characters from movies. Thanks, Astro Boy. She is one of many young students of America (and dare I say the world?) that has had trouble deciding her life’s path. Cora is a young woman from Southern California who earned her degree at UCLA. She actually said she “hated” her major.

Yes, she actually said that. Apparently the professors and teachers didn’t let the students really savor or sponge any information. More of a get in, learn, and get out mentality. “Some things were complicated in only a matter of weeks.” Who hasn’t had that class that went just too darn fast for them? Lots of people have trouble keeping up in classes. Especially the classes they hate. Like Cora for example:

“I was a chemistry major but I loved my Latin American studies minor.”

These are the little classes that got her through the day. Or rather, the six years she spent studying.

“I think it’s how I survived being there.”

Is anyone else thinking what I’m thinking? Why pay thousands of dollars (and continue to do so after earning a degree) to study something that you hate? Perhaps that was too strong a word. I’m pretty sure Corina (I’ll change a character’s name anytime I please) enjoyed the subject to some degree but found classes difficult. Still, the question leaps to mind:

Why didn’t you major in Latin American studies?

“Because I transferred in as a chem major.”

Ah, the limitations of earlier decisions in schooling. Deciding what path your life will follow is no easy feat. As long as you can find a discernible  source of income without hurting anyone in the process I say, have at it.

Why did you focus on chemistry?

“Because I initially just got interested in it and I wanted a challenge.”

A defining cause. Public health in Grad School is Cora’s next goal (try and keep up, folks). She likes to conquer the goals she sets for herself. Is there a Discipline 101 anywhere?

What would you LIKE to do?

“I’m looking at what is going on in the Central American community in terms of health and inequities. I really want to do cross comparisons of people’s health in the US and back in the homeland.”

Nice work. All I can say is STUDY HARD!