Deciding a major is majorly difficult! by Alyssa

Deciding a major is majorly difficult! by Alyssa - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

Deciding on a major is not easy. I am only 16, and there are so many things I am interested in. I’ve been told to find something I love, but then I need to be able to eventually support myself, so watching movies on Netflix might not be the best career choice. I know adults that have changed careers multiple times, so it is not an easy decision. I love art. I paint, draw, and do crafts for fun and relaxation. I am in an academy program at my high school for TV production and film. I have found a love in filming and editing, but my true passion has become photography. I saved my dog sitting and tutoring money to buy my first nice camera a few months ago. Also, I love math. A lot of people hate math; I love it! and I am good at it! Since I am good at math, I love helping others with their math work. So what will I major in? That is the BIG question I am struggling with the most at this pivotal time in my life.

If money was no object and I could afford to go away to any college with all expenses paid, then I would definitely go to SCAD. I would get a degree in photography or digital communication. But alas, money is tight in my family, and I do not want to start my life with student loan debt. The local colleges in my area are great schools, but they do not offer these programs.

So since math is also a love of mine, I want to major in middle school math education. Both of my parents are teachers, and I really enjoy working to help others learn new things. I help the other students in my classes, and I tutor on the side for some extra money. I have completed a lot of volunteer work in our area elementary schools because I enjoy working with children. We have great colleges in our area, and I can live at home. My parents will be able to help me, and I can work to pay for the rest. I do not want to take out loans, so I am applying for every scholarship I can find.

I want to be the teacher whom the students say, “I know she cares about my learning, she makes sure I understand, she is kind and fair and makes it fun, and she is someone I can go to when I need it." This is the type of teacher that I want to be because it is the type of teacher I learn from. I have chosen middle school because I want to help them learn to love math before they get to high school. The foundational skills taught in middle school are the key to success in high school math classes. I see myself teaching middle school math making a difference in my students' lives so this is why I want to major in math and become a teacher.