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Hi everyone! Today I have another life update for y’all! This one serves as a sort of ‘sequel’ to a post from a while back and includes a college Q&A.
About a year ago I wrote a post where I talked about the stress of changing my major during sophomore year. If you didn’t read that post, you can check it out here. That was one of my most read posts, so I thought I’d give an update on where I’m at and how I’m feeling almost a year later!
Last semester (Spring 2018) was my very first semester taking Strategic Communication classes. I was definitely worried going into the semester because, as you know from my previous post about my major, I wasn’t sure if I’d made the right decision! I took the first two gateway classes required, Writing & Editing and Diversity. Y’all. I thrived in these classes. And not just in terms of my grades. I had never felt so in my element in school before! Diversity is a course I truly believe everyone should take, no matter what major they are! Writing & Editing, on the other hand, challenged my writing skills a bit more. We wrote pitches, personal essays, and news releases. At first I was a little intimidated, but I quickly realized how much I enjoyed working on all of these projects. I think a huge reason I did so well last semester was because I truly loved the classes I was in.
It was so clear to me at the end of last semester that I had made the right decision switching my major! I am so relieved, because looking back to last September, I was an anxious mess. Not to be dramatic, but I literally thought my life was over because I couldn’t figure out what to do with myself. Now I feel so at ease, but also really really excited, when I think about my major and my future career!
This semester I’m in the last of my pre-requisite classes for my major before I get into the upper division classes! I’m taking Public Relations and Advertising. I’m a PR emphasis, so I’m naturally a little more excited for this class. Plus so many of my Phi Mu sisters are in the class, which is super fun! My Advertising class is also full of friends, so I know I’ll always have a study buddy.
I also wanted to mention my minor – Women and Gender Studies. After taking a few elective courses in the discipline, I realized I felt very connected to and fascinated by the subject! I immediately set a meeting with the Associate Director of the department and added the minor on the spot. I’m currently in a Gender and Communication class, and it is by far my favorite class this semester. Anyways, my point is that I am beyond excited to have a major and minor that I love. And that they challenge me in completely different (but both extremely valuable) ways.
Now time for your questions!! All of these were asked multiple times, so I know some of y’all are curious…
College Q & A
Q: What made you decide to go to TCU?
This, my friends, could be an entire blog post in and of itself. But I’ll keep it short and to the point. During my senior year, I decided it was time to leave CA otherwise I never would. The only schools I’d applied to outside of CA were TCU, Baylor, UNC Chapel Hill, and UBC. TCU was the only school I could see myself at, including all the CA schools I’d applied to. By the time I needed to make a decision and submit a deposit, I was in major denial. I didn’t really want to go anywhere – including TCU. Everyone around me knew I’d pick TCU, but I never actually felt ready to make the choice. In the end, the only reason I picked it was because the first time I stepped on campus I felt like I belonged. Even though I wasn’t really feeling that so much when it came to the end of April senior year, I felt backed into a corner. And so, I submitted my deposit and found myself a roommate. And it was the best decision I’ve ever made! I love love love it here, and really truly can’t see myself anywhere else. (Although I will admit, I plan on heading back to the Bay Area as soon as I can!) So, even though it didn’t feel like it was meant to be, and I was the opposite of excited to begin life in college, it has all worked out so much better than I could have imagined!
Q: What’s your major?
A: My major is Strategic Communication, if you didn’t catch that from the info above! It’s slightly different than the Communication major at TCU. Here’s how the TCU website defines Strat Comm: “Students majoring in Strategic Communication learn the theories and methods of advertising, public relations and new media to meet the strategic goals of organizations. Students learn to conduct research; write and create content for print, broadcast, online and mobile platforms; design; choose channels to place the message; and evaluate effectiveness.”
Q: What advice do you have for picking a major?
Go with your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks!! This isn’t about what’s the most impressive – it’s about what makes you happy. Your major dictates what classes you’ll be taking for the next four years, so make sure you want to be there and you’re excited about learning. And as I’ll explain in the next question, don’t be afraid if the first one or two don’t work out!
Q: Is switching your major normal?
YES.
I wish someone had told me this before! Almost all of my friends have switched their major at least once since being in college. Totally normal! You know what isn’t normal?! Expecting an 18 year old to know what they want to do for the rest of their life. Trust me, I have learned so much about myself during the past few years of college, and as you learn more about who you are, you’ll have a clearer vision of what you want – out of life and your major! Don’t feel like you’re stuck with your original choice. The only downside to a major switch is it can sometimes lead to an extra semester or two before graduation. I was super lucky that my major didn’t require me to spend more time at TCU, but you’d actually be surprised how many people do take that extra semester or two! As long as that’s a possibility for you financially, it’s nothing to be worried about. Also totally normal!
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I’m just so thrilled to be able share more about my college journey with you all, and for it to be more of a positive note this time around! As always, if you have any other questions or want to talk college/life decisions, please reach out! I would love to chat!
xx, C
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