Choosing My Major: A Major Decision by Zach

Choosing My Major: A Major Decision by Zach - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

Choosing my major has indeed been a major decision. It is worthy of its title. Deciding what to major in will not only set forth the trajectory for the next four years of my college life, but the rest of my life leading into my lifelong career. With so many options to choose from, I felt like I had to reason with every possible outcome before choosing one. I felt so much pressure to pick the perfect one. Following what everyone had told me by surveying all of my interests, this was my thought process…
I was good at biology in high school, and I like to know how life works, so I could major in biology. Wait, in biology, they have to do a bunch of research, and I would not enjoy a career full of labs, so this isn’t for me. I like talking and relating with people, so I could major in Marketing. No, that has too much to do with selling a product, I want to be able to relate to people. Ok, Business Finance, that could be a great degree. I could coach people and help them meet their goals, except I do not enjoy working with numbers, and I don’t feel comfortable with other people’s money. The downward spiral continued until I felt I had ruled out every possible major.
I didn’t understand. It seemed like everyone in my life had their major chosen from the time they were born, and here I was bouncing left and right across the wide span of all majors, not having a clue where I should end up. In thinking this, I decided to step back from my options and search myself deeper to find where I belonged, not where I merely fit in.
Blocking out all of the outer distractions I was letting in before, I reached a new sense of clarity. Yes, I have interests in some things, and disinterest in others, but I learned that was not the way to choose a path for the rest of my life. To be fulfilled, I had to decide based on the strongest aspects of who I was and am. I found that I am a deep thinker, always looking for all the options to solve a problem. By reflecting on my past instead of predicting the future, I was reminded that I have a passion for long-lasting fitness and health. I have a love for people, in relating and helping them with their problems. Finally, I remembered that I have a dedication unlike most people I know, and when I have a goal in mind, I am determined to make it there, no matter what.
In escaping my unnecessary self-imposed confusion, my next steps were easy. Instead of choosing a major based on what I liked, I decided to choose a major that would lead me down a path to enhance the best parts about me. In those majors, I could not see myself in them because they did not pair with who I was. Pairing the newfound aspects of myself with my major became easier. I knew I was making a good decision when I felt at peace in picking my major in Biokinetics(an exercise science), on the path to becoming a Physical Therapist or Chiropractor in graduate school. Not only can I see myself walking down this path in life, I can envision myself thriving.
I am excited every time I imagine aiding people of all ages with any of their health needs. With an education in Biokinetics, I will be prepared to do this, whether that be right after college as an exercise physiologist, or taking another step into Chiropractic or PT school. I am not sure what I want to do with my major quite yet, but I know I want to start there. With this newfound path, I am more comfortable with where I am going in life, and grateful I could find a major that would enhance who I am into who I want to be.