Lauren Georgeson's Insight

WHAT TO DO!?!?!

I am so confused right now on what I want to major in...

I came into Case and declared my major the first year as biochemistry. I feel as though I did this because my roommate was doing it, and it sounded interesting. Little did I know how much work was involved! I do not so much mind the work because I know I am capable of it. However, I am not interested in the material. I feel as if I am doing something that I do not want to do!

I knew I had to make a change if I wanted to be happy for the rest of my college career. Therefore, I looked around and started talking to various people in my classes about their major. I knew I didn't want to lose everything I have done thus far, so I wanted to major in something a little more appealing where I didn't have to start from scratch.

As I talked to more and more people and examined the 2005-2006 handbook, I decided nutrition would be quite fascinating. I met with my biochemistry advisor and spoke with her about my options. She recommended to do what I want to do because it is my life not anyone else's. I am the one who will have to live with this degree the rest of my life, so the real question is... Does it make ME happy? Then, I briefly met with a nutrition advisor to sign my change in major form.

I choose to change my major to nutrition and follow in the path of the dietitian program, and I scheduled my courses last Wednesday accordingly. I realized that I would not have to take physics 115 and 116 or chemistry 224 and 234, which were definite pluses. However, I would lose math 125 and 126, chemistry 233, and also biology 215, which is a bummer. I knew there were going to be advantages and disadvantages. If you look at it this way, I am pretty much losing a whole semester of courses, but I am gaining my happiness. Which is more important? Definitely my happiness!

Now to break the news to my parents... I told my parents on Thanksgiving, which was a huge mistake! My dad was telling me that I am trying to take the easy way out, which is not true because the courses are very similar to that required for biochemistry. My stepmom was telling me not to short change myself, which I didn't see how I was doing that!? My mom was just speechless. My oldest sister Melissa was like you are going to Case to be a nutritionist? Of course, sisters have to put you down. However, there was one person who actually encouraged me. Surprisingly, that person was my older sister Lisa. She is usually the one to criticize every aspect of my life, but she said as long as I receive a degree from Case, she is happy! Oh, I cannot forget my boyfriend, who always supports me in any decision I make.

I know how my family is though, especially my dad. They have to see it to believe it. We discussed going to law school, which is also an option for me, since as long as you pass the LSAT, you can have any degree to get into law school. That made him a little more comfortable with the idea of switching my major.

It's funny because my dream is to get married and have children immediately after I graduate. I do not want to work until the children are old enough to go to school. My degree is just going to be framed on the wall until I want to use it! My dad gets so mad when I say that, but I want a big family, and I always have. I am smart enough to know not to depend on a man and to have an education to fall back on in case things do not go as planned.

Well, whatever! We will see where the spring semester will take me. I will see if I even like nutrition. It is not like I cannot switch back. I still have time to decide.