Major Uncertainty
Having attended the University of Central Missouri for the past four years to pursue my undergraduate degree, I’ve not only learned the typical things you go to college to learn, but also an immense number of life lessons. Had I learned some of these lessons before attending college, my first two years wouldn’t have been so dense with decisions.
When I initially started my journey at UCM, I was an English education major, pursuing a career as a high school English teacher. I have a strong passion for inspiring others and writing and reading beautiful literature. Spending my first year primarily taking general education courses, I realized once I reached my sophomore year that I wasn’t a teacher; I was a writer, attempting to hide behind a “realistic” career choice.
Scared I wasted two years of my youth studying a career I was no longer interested in, I fought with myself and doubted my abilities to pursue either career. After chatting with my success advisor, I realized how possible it was to pursue just about anything I set my mind to. The classes that didn’t transfer to my new major affected my view of the world regardless.
Moral of the story: Time is never wasted; it’s gained and taken for granted. Through secondary education, you are given the opportunity to think the unthinkable and the resources to shape your dreams outside of a high school environment. Don’t put a cap on your abilities by being wary of the major that seems “out of reach” or impractical; nothing is out of reach with the support provided here at UCM.
Expected Timeframe
There is no time frame for college. It is very much possible to finish your required hours in four years, but it’s not as practical in today’s day and age. Just because this is the way things have “always gone,” doesn’t mean that’s how things work now.
To be a “typical” student in today’s society means:
- Working 20+ hours a week
- Studying 15+ credit hours (requiring 30-45 hours of outside-of-class work time)
- Participating in a club, sport, or Greek life
All in addition to:
- Having enough time to visit family
- Being a social butterfly
- Eating healthy and being active
- Taking care of yourself
Sounds crazy, right? Those who can do all of these things without faltering are superhuman and predisposed to well academic performance. There is no point in faulting yourself for not rushing. You’re paying for these opportunities, so why not take advantage of the time you have and fully immerse yourself in each course?
That brings us to our next point.
Class Participation
Like I said, you are paying for these courses. Whether you get scholarships or your parents are helping you fund your education, college debt is no joke. Your debt grows nearer and larger the closer you get to graduation.
By not reading the textbooks you charge to your account, or disengaging from the group discussions in class, you’re throwing your money out the window and into your professor’s pockets. It’s senseless and wasteful not to participate in your courses; you’re not proving yourself better than anyone else.
When you shift your priorities away from your education, letting your focus and skill deteriorate, your degree loses its value.
A college degree is not a piece of paper you receive at a family-filled ceremony. It’s the ability to prove yourself and your abilities to your future employers. It’s the ability to be mindful while also being open to analyzing things differently.
Popularity
Not a thing. Being favored by a large number of your peers quite literally means nothing in college. Having a large group of friends may give you more opportunities, but that is just as achievable with networking, a much more attainable goal. UCM has over 12 thousand students, making the possibility that someone cares about the number of friends you have unlikely. I couldn’t tell you the number of students I only saw once because it happened so often.
Our state is full of small towns, aching with demanding and impractical societal norms. I can confidently say that UCM has been a breath of fresh air in comparison to the expectations faced in high school. By putting my best foot forward and striving through pure intentions, I was able to surround myself with genuine people who would not only further my career but also better my outlook on life.
