Customize Your Weekly Pathways Content If you had asked me during my first year how I felt about my major, I probably would have told you that everything was fine and I just needed more time to adjust. That was the easy answer. But that would only have been true.
I felt disconnected from my classes in a way I could not explain. No matter how much I tried to push through, something felt missing. I kept waiting for that spark everyone talks about, but it never came. Instead, I was left with this quiet sense that something was off. The pieces of the puzzle just did not fit the way I imagined they would. I could not tell if it was the classes themselves, the pressure I put on myself to follow a certain path, or the growing realization that the major I chose did not feel like mine anymore. For a long time, I tried to ignore it and hoped
the feeling would eventually fade. I kept telling myself that I would eventually adjust, that everyone doubts themselves at first, after all it is a big transition from high school to college and
most importantly that switching majors meant I somehow failed.
But the truth is, I was scared. I know I am not the only one who has felt this way. A lot of us arrive at UMass with a plan that feels solid in theory, but once we start living it, reality feels different. And that can be confusing, especially when it seems like everyone else has it figured out.
The turning point for me came when I finally slowed down and let myself be honest. One afternoon, I sat at my desk and wrote down the things that used to make me curious, the topics that made me want to learn more, and the classes that made me feel energized. That small moment of reflection opened a door I had been avoiding.
Around the same time, I started talking to a few friends who were majoring in Managerial Economics and Economics. Listening to them describe what they were learning made me feel something I had not felt in a while. I found myself asking questions. I wanted to understand the concepts they were talking about. I wanted to learn more. It felt like rediscovering a part of myself I had pushed aside without realizing it.
That curiosity is what led me to the SBS Pathways Center website. I spent time reading about the majors within SBS, exploring the resources available to students, various clubs and checking out
opportunities I had never noticed before. It felt like a reminder that UMass has an entire support system built to help you explore, shift directions, and grow.
Eventually, I booked an appointment with an SBS academic advisor. I walked in feeling nervous, unsure how to explain everything I was feeling. But the advisor listened patiently, REALLY
LISTENED and helped me map out what switching into managerial economics would look like. They broke down the requirements, showed me how my credits would transfer, and walked me
through a realistic timeline so I could see the whole picture without feeling overwhelmed. She reassured me that what I was feeling was okay and absolutely normal, and at it the end of the day
I should always be chasing what excites me and brings back my spark and genuine curiosity, otherwise what is the point?
That conversation changed everything. I walked out feeling lighter and more confident than I had felt in months. For the first time in a long time, I felt excited about what I was studying. Switching majors did not magically solve every worry I had, but it gave me direction. It helped me reconnect with my curiosity. It reminded me that college is not about forcing yourself to follow a plan that no longer fits. It is about being willing to grow and make choices that align with who you are becoming.
If you ever feel unsure about your major, I hope you give yourself the space to slow down and reflect. Talk to friends. Explore the SBS resources. Visit the advising office. You do not have to make every decision alone. Sometimes the clearest path forward begins with one small moment of honesty and the courage to follow it.
