#8 | A Major Conflict

Rahul Rangnekar
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

I came into Cal as an intended Business major. But when I didn’t get into the major at the beginning of my sophomore year, I declared to be an Economics major. I picked up Computer Science as a minor along the way, but declared the major later in my sophomore year. I was super excited and passionate about both subjects at first, but I’ve realized more and more that I don’t find economics to be my calling.

I took two of my five Economics elective courses, and while I did well in them, I didn’t find them particularly interesting. Now as I enter my senior year, I have the remaining three Economics classes to take, as well as three Computer Science courses. But there are many time conflicts between the classes of the two subjects. And as I’m more interested in CS, I’ll choose those classes over the Economics ones every time. But that also means taking Economics classes that don’t interest me, perpetuating a cycle of frustration and disillusionment.

On one hand, I’m just three classes away from completing the Econ major requirements. I’ve taken Econ classes since my freshman year and I wouldn’t want to waste all my hard work (Berkeley doesn’t have an Econ minor) by dropping the major so late. I’m also vain — I want to walk at two major graduations and have two Bachelor degrees framed on my wall, not just one. On the other hand, three classes is quite a lot, and I could take more interesting and relevant Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Design, or Entrepreneurship classes. I promised myself to trust my gut and not prolong my “suffering” by biting the bullet and doing things I didn’t want to do.

But do I really not want to double? Do I really want to give up everything I worked for in the major, all the Econ classes I took, all the time and energy attending lectures, doing problem sets, studying for midterms and finals, when there’s only one more year, three more classes, left? I don’t think so.

Beyond Limits

Life’s perspective from a 21-year-old. A 100-day challenge to push myself beyond what I thought was possible. To be as inquisitive and uncomfortable as possible. To find and follow a life of peace, courage, determination, and gratitude.

Rahul Rangnekar

Written by

Software Developer && Writer, UC Berkeley Computer Science & Economics graduate

Beyond Limits

Life’s perspective from a 21-year-old. A 100-day challenge to push myself beyond what I thought was possible. To be as inquisitive and uncomfortable as possible. To find and follow a life of peace, courage, determination, and gratitude.

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