Path

The questions are unavoidable. When you’re around that age and you don’t appear that dim-witted, the same questions are asked of you:

“Where are you going?”
and…
“What is your major?”

I pretty much memorized the exact dialogue I respond with, since I get asked quite often. The same answers are always given:

“UCLA”
and…
“Neuroscience”

Then, the doubts come in. They tell me that the major is “difficult” and how “[they] wouldn’t be surprised if [I] change majors.” Their verbal expression of their lack in faith in me was done so harmlessly. And even though I get it so often, I am never too offended.

Because I know, they’re just being realistic with the on-the-spot-made-up-in-their-head statistic from word-of-mouth data.
Because I know, people all too often underestimate human ambition.
Because I know, their faith in me is irrelevant. Besides, there’s no way I could disappoint ;-)
And because I know, I would be happy whether I do change majors or stick to my current one.

I believe that life is a learning process. And with my interests in the field of neuroscience, I would be happy to be in a great university with the opportunity to study it. But maybe it really isn’t my calling; there are not many things that are certain in life. And if I do end up changing majors, I do not mind either because it means I’m another step closer to where I want to be. Everything that is “not right” for me brings me closer to things that are.