There is an interesting trajectory behind most responses to the common “What are you studying?” college question. Here is a little bit about mine.  

As I heard stories of older people going through college, the adults I looked up to - my parents, aunts and uncles - would somewhat mock college students who changed their majors. 

“I think he’s studying Government now, but I couldn’t be sure, he’s changed his mind a handful of times.” 

There seemed to be this negative attitude toward college students who changed their majors, as if it symbolized a lack of discipline or of conviction. So as I worked on college applications during my last year of high school, it felt like I had the task of picking not only where I wanted to apply, but also deciding what I wanted my college major to be. The latter decision would affect not only the classes I took but also what I was qualified to do after college. What I chose to study would then define my place in life. There was a linear path toward the future, a path one begins in college, or so I thought.  

My decision went a little like this. I took my first Computer Science class during my last year of high school. I enjoyed it. I’d heard about a student from my high school who went on to study Computer Science in college after not having had any prior experience with Computer Science. So I thought, "I can do that too!"  

I applied to colleges as a Computer Science major and then waited for what felt like the longest three months of my life. After learning of my acceptance into Harvard, I thought I would come here to study CS. At the end of the line, I could go on to be a Software Developer or something of the sort.  

To help visualize what I was thinking my life would look like, I leave this timeline.

My first semester at Harvard came around, and I struggled greatly with my intro Computer Science class. In one semester, we were learning the foundations of 6 different coding languages. In retrospect, I should have reached out for help much more than I did. By the end of the semester, I’d had enough of Computer Science for what felt like a lifetime. I couldn’t see myself taking another class. I’d understood that classes were going to be challenging. However, it was not the challenge that pushed me away from CS, although there was more than plenty of it. I realized that I didn’t care for the material as much as I expected, and I wanted to graduate with a degree where I was able to take classes in subjects that were interesting to me. Classes can carry challenging academic aspects, and I knew that taking classes I was interested in would help me push through the challenges. For now, to me that looks like studying Sociology. After taking an introductory Sociology course, I realized I enjoyed learning about theories that help us explain society as we know it today.  

I am glad to have found a concentration and a department that I like. I also know that I am not looking for a career that requires a specific major. I am content to have certainty about what my studies will focus on during my time in college. 

The next big question I'd like to answer for myself is: what comes next?   

What will I be doing in four years? What would I like to be doing in ten years?   

If there is something I have found reassurance in, after having been here for about a year, is that this is a place filled with people who are asking themselves the same questions.   

Whatever part of the journey you are at while figuring out your path during and after college, I want to say that it’s fine. What others may say or think is not nearly as relevant as what you feel and think is right when it comes to your now and your tomorrow.   

So, I’ll continue to do my thing. To explore paths that seem interesting, and talk to people who are doing exciting things, while discovering what my talents are and how I can best use them. I hope you’ll get to do the same.