Self Care for Academics: What to Do When You Fall Out of Love with Your Major
Oh no, it happened. Your parents were right. (Ugh again!) Victorian prose and literature is full of too many dead old white guys. Geology isn’t all that exciting. Anthropology is saturated with a lot of dates and timelines yet, not enough thrill.
What went wrong? Was it all a mistake?
Not at all.
College is an uncertain time. It is a transitional period that is characterized by the naivety of youth and the dread of adulthood. You’re still figuring things out. What may have been your passion at one point is not translating into a lifetime career. You’re unsure now. Somewhere down the line, you lost your way.
But it’s alright.
Don’t fret.
Perhaps, it’s time to make a change. Here’s what you can do:
Panic
What were you thinking? Jeeeez. Come on. Nobody cares about Oxford commas.
Wail in Despair
No pillowcase is safe from your tears. Make sure everyone is home so that they can hear your regret in the form of gut-wrenching sobbing. Or my favorite — a play in three acts: door slamming, yelling, followed by more crying.
Laugh?
Yes! Because I am only kidding. There is hope! I promise! We will get through this together. For real this time, I swear!
Here’s how:
List the Pros and Cons
Don’t let that one class with that awful professor detour you from your goals. After all, it’s just one class. You must decide if the hassle is worth it. Make a list of both the positive and negative attributes of your field. How long is your program? Have you met the requirements? Does your current major line up with what you want to do in life? Are you still passionate about the subject?
Once you make that list, determine the next step: either you stick it out or prepare to dive into another major.
Don’t Let Impulse Influence Your Decision
You may have reached your breaking point, but you should still think this out. Take your time in deciding what’s best for you. Don’t jump to conclusions because of one bad experience. Remember, you have your future to think about.
If the list of pros and cons has not convinced you, weigh the investment. Not just the financial investment, but the emotional investment as well. Is starting over really the answer?
Utilize a Self Care Regime to Manage Stress
Maybe you are feeling burnt out. If that’s the case, your doubt and uncertainty may be more stress-related as opposed to being from your major. To manage stress, consider the following options:
Exercise (or Don’t*)
Don’t have a gym membership through your campus? You don’t need one! All you need is a bit of fresh air and sunshine. Take a walk or bike to the park. Play a game of fetch with your pup. When you move your body for 15–30 minutes a day, you give your mind a break. You allow yourself time to breathe. Activity allows for clarity and focus. Concentrating your energy into yoga, swimming, or a routine of your choice can give you a moment of reflection to decide what you truly want.
*If you are unable to exercise, then participate in a hobby of your choice. Sometimes exercise is not a feasible option, which is something we should all be mindful and respectful of. After all, we are each individuals with a diverse range of needs. Art, board games, simple relaxation, or rest are all perfectly applicable choices. After all, it’s all about what you need and desire most. Managing stress is all about transferring your energy into something that gives you enjoyment and peace of mind. How you decide to pursue that is all up to you.
Find Solitude
In moments of solitude, we learn to appreciate our own company. Through that effort, we grow closer to ourselves and become more confident and assured. The noise that fills our day to day lives can become distracting and overwhelming. Tune it out with some much needed time for yourself.
Treat Yo’ Self
You earned it. A cup of tea is a cup of joy. Netflix never fails, and neither does an afternoon nap. Use this time to reward yourself for all of your hard work and commitment. Academia can be an unforgiving and cruel place. There are no gold stars, but there is a lot of debt. (Yikes!) When you make it a point to celebrate your accomplishments (no matter how big or how small), you are eliminating negativity. Making room for positivity is the key to self love and self care. Stress clouds our sense of self, but these daily practices can help you to determine your next step.
Talk to an Advisor, Guardian or Professor You Trust
Sometimes, it’s best to voice your concerns to someone you trust. This isn’t something you have to go through alone. In fact, talking to someone can be really helpful. However, if one of your confidants is unsupportive or discouraging, ignore them. This is your choice to make. This is your life to live.
Enroll Part-Time or Withdraw to Care for Your Health
There’s no need to rush. Taking five or six classes as opposed to three or four is quite the challenge. That’s probably why you feel all this pressure. Planning is important, but racing to the graduation finish line can be exhausting. Take one step at a time. If you feel like you’re taking on too much, it’s okay to reassess. Enjoy your summer instead of taking more classes. Perhaps take a semester or quarter off to tend to your physical and mental health. Consider online classes or open enrollment as well. As long as you are on track, you will graduate. It may seem impossible now, but you possess the will and drive to make it happen.
Change Your Major
If all else fails, change your major. As long as you are not a senior, you have nothing to lose. Well, except for the fee that your college may impose (Hmph!). But other than that, you haven’t lost any credits. Students change their major all the time. In fact, many students don’t even declare their major until the end of their sophomore year. If you find yourself in this position, don’t stress. You’ll get it together.
Research the prerequisites and follow through with your decision. Give yourself permission to start all over. Regardless, trust yourself.
It takes courage and bravery to embark on the path of the undecided major!
Part of the college experience is learning more about yourself and growing into your own skin. You will be collaborating with academics from all over the world. You will spend many nights in the lab or library. You will have many opportunities to prove yourself. But at no point should you feel defeated or discouraged because you are among a very fortunate yet small population of people who have the privilege to advance in higher education.
If you have fallen out of love with your major, it’s not too late. But now is the time to pay attention to your body. Lack of sleep and over exertion may be a sign of much-needed change. If you ignore these symptoms, they can manifest into depression, anxiety, and insomnia, which are all serious mental health issues that affect students and professionals in academia. Changes within your physical and mental health are important to note, because both matter equally.
If you decide to rekindle the fire, don’t underestimate the value of self care. If you decide to meet someone new (a new major that is), ease into it and take your time.
The love can be reignited, but the flame can burn out. Take care of yourself throughout all of your academic pursuits. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to make a change.
When in doubt, remember: you can do anything you put your mind to. You are brilliant, bold, and determined.
You can do this!
