Natwerk Designs

Is it normal to question my major in college?

I am at a rigorous art school right now as a sophomore in the Motion Design Department. I had an anxiety attack last night and have been very emotional today because of doubting myself and my major. We do a lot of critiques in class so I see the other classmates' work and i catch myself comparing my work to theirs. I am not a fantastic drawer or a stellar computer techy, but I have great passion for Design and am great with concepts and creative ideas. I've been questioning whether I should continue my design major. I think it could be me thinking of a way around hard work that I know I must do, but I am wondering if it is normal for a college student to doubt their major every now and then? Anyone had a similar experience or have advice? Thank youuuuu

Public Comments

1. In my opinion, If you are doubting yourself because you feel that you lack talent or you feel that you are not up to par with your classmates, then you are either 1) trying to avoid giving it your best because you feel uncertain/afraid that you might fail or 2) you feel slightly hesitant because you feel that you might be better at another aspect of design or another major completely. Everyone, reconsiders their major at one point during their undergraduate years. I think it all boils down to two things. Passion & Discipline. Some people have the discipline, but not the passion while others have passion but not the discipline (and some don't have either or have both). Since you admit that you have strong passion in the major you have chosen, you should find better ways to build up your discipline to stick with what you have chosen. Strengthen your passion by becoming more inept at what you are doing. Good luck!
2. I haven't been to college sorry ....... :(
3. Everyone hates to fail and I know lots of people who questioned their choices in college, sometimes changing majors. My best friend in college switched from pre-med to pre-law and now he's a successful lawyer in Washington, DC. I hate to break it to you but LOTS of people have a passion for design and are great wtih concepts and creative ideas. You may legitimately be sensing that you're putting your energies into a field where you cannot succeed. Art is a VERY competitive field and I've seen talented folks take menial jobs in ad agencies just to afford to live. Talk to some folks in the field you've chosen to enter and see if they think you can survive. With today's economy, I'd hate for you to incur huge student loans getting your education and wind up flipping burgers later.
4. Definitely normal to doubt yourself. Not only are you there to learn, but you're learning about yourself and finding out what kind of person you are. You'll figure out eventually that you are your own person, and you have your own way of doing things. So you may not be as good an artist as the person next to you, but as you said, you have the drive and passion to continue it anyway. Don't quit, unless your absolutely sure you know what else you want to do. And make sure you finish college. I went for a year, and discovered I like to party. Woulda got an 4.0 if it was a major! But now I'm working in a factory having no fun at all.... you get the point. Good luck, and just have faith in yourself, ignore everyone else - they have no impact on your abilities, or your grades