Should mention in case I'm giving the wrong impression, I have tried extremely hard in all majors mentioned, studied extensively, went early morning to office hours. I struggle on tests with words and numbers, something every *technical major involves.

I just want to start off by saying there is NOTHING to be embarrassed about in terms of switching majors. Plenty of students change majors many times before graduating. College is all about self-discovery and learning about who you are and what your passions are.

I mean no disrespect to your parents, but it's not really their call to decide what major you should be taking. If you're more of an artistic person, you go for those classes! Honestly, based on what I'm seeing my friends (and sister) go through after college, it's hard to get a job no matter what. Not saying it's hopeless or anything like that of course! On the contrary, you should take whatever classes you want to. I left college way before I graduated, and my biggest mistake was simply not having fun with my choices of classes.

I had this professor once, whom I went to for anything and everything. One of the better pieces of advice he gave me was this: "Take however many classes you like, two minimum. If you can do three, do three. Take a class you need, a class that's interesting, and a class that's fun. You're gonna be stuck here for a while, so just have fun and take it easy while it lasts...".

College can be a bit depression and very stressful, but only if you allow it. Most importantly, you have to go to college for you and take the classes you want. You're there for YOU.

You're more likely to have success at something you're good at than something you're not good at like these technical fields.

Thank you RedPowerRanger, I feel more encouraged after reading your post. Also I like what your professor said.

It's difficult cause I am totally not suited to accounting, math, whatever, but my parents are stuck in their ways (they think I should major in something society desperately needs, not something I am talented at :(

It's difficult cause I love and appreciate my parents but at the same time I feel I am throwing my talent away, and they were never really interested in pushing me to pursue my talents.

I think the education system makes
It difficult too, leading students to believe if they can't cram a ton of info to Memory for a test, they are failures

I think you should take courses you're interested in and excel in. Going into something that you're passionate about will payoff big time in the future.

Is there a career center at your college/university and do you have a professor who's a mentor for you? It would be helpful to seek out these things for guidance right now. If need be, as I know that this is a very stressful time... seek out help from the counseling center. I know how it feels to have parents who don't see you for you and insist on wanting to cram you into a space that's not made for you. I got a liberal studies degree with one minor in Business & Technical Writing and the other in Studio Art. I've enjoyed working in mixed media and I've continued to pursue my creative endeavors. It's important for you to stay true to who you are and pursue what will give you a fulfilled life. If you are able to sit down and have a frank conversation with your parents about this and having the courage to do what's right for you then do it. If it's just a matter of you finding employment there are several lucrative creative occupations that make a good deal of money, Graphic Design being one of them. Never give up on you and continue to fight for a life that is yours.

I would still suggest pursuing your passions and talents, which ever way you can. If your parents want you to major in something more "practical", then do so to make them happy, but nothing says you can't take some art classes on the side. It might be stressful and discouraging to go through college like that, especially if it's hard to succeed in classes that aren't interesting to you, but at least you'll also have classes you know you'll love.

Basically, see if you can't meet your parents half way with what they expect from you, while still doing what you want to do.

Don't feel embarrassed. I feel ya on the match and science part... Maybe all of college in general. But you gotta go for what you're passionate about... Do you want happiness or do you want misery? What I'm trying to say is it's your life now and if you're passionate about something then go do it. Life is too short to waste time on doing something you don't like or you're not good at. Good luck!

You’re not the first college student or the last to be unsure of their career path and switch majors. I know people who finished a 4-year degree, never used it, and went back to school for something else. How many people in their early 20’s know what they want to do for the rest of their life? I think the majority do not, for a variety of reasons, personal and societal. It’s just the way it is. The good news is that you are still very young and you have plenty of time yet to make choices that will give you a valuable future. You’re not a failure by any means. So what do you do?

It’s the American dream to pursue a career path that one can be in love with. The harsh reality is that most people don’t get to go to the job they really want, again, for a variety of reasons. Location, financial, personal etc. A lot of people don’t want a technical job, or anything traditional, that is in high demand, but it is a safe play that will offer financial security, which is important, especially if you want to provide for a family one day. But I should say “safer” play, because really, there are no guarantees in life.

Your parents are trying to protect/guide you, which is a good thing, but they still need to let you make your own decisions. Sounds like they really care about you. Be grateful for that, not everyone has it. But keep in mind no one knows you better than you, and if math/accounting/etc. isn’t going to work for you, find something else that will. Can’t say I blame you, I loath math. I think the biggest problem with it is that most of the people who can do it well can’t teach it to save their life. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so hard for people.

If you can find a path that leads you to a passionate career that also provides job security and financial stability, you’ve hit a home run. A grand slam. But if you pursue something highly against the odds, you may very well strike out and have to settle for a job that you hate. Try to ensure you at least land somewhere in the middle.

I’m not sure what field you would like to pursue exactly, whether it’s photography, sculpting etc. Some fields are more promising than others. It just depends. If you said you wanted to paint for a living, though, I would probably say paint as a hobby and don’t throw away the day job. Unless you want to end up painting houses. The exception is if you really do have a special talent for it, then it might be worth giving it a shot in some way. Perhaps in your spare time, not necessarily full time.

There’s a reason someone coined the term “starving artist.” Struggling to make a living isn’t fun, especially with a kid or two in the picture, and though some artists are very successful, many are not. However, dreams are important. And I think to give up on them completely is to let a very important part of yourself die. And that is not acceptable in my book.

You have to decide, or find a way to decide, what you want and what is viable based on your personal situation. Consider what your parents recommend (unless for some reason it’s clear they have no business trying to set a good example). They’ve been around the block and have made mistakes that they can help you avoid. But don’t forget in the end that it’s YOUR decision to decide what you want to do with your life and no one else’s. They need to respect that and respect you.

Whatever you consider doing, find a way to go shadow someone for a day or two to see what the job is like. Really. Everyone should do this. It’s the best way to get a feel for what doing something is really like. Any kind of a counselor can help you as well, as long as you find a good one (not always easy), which may not necessarily be the first one you meet. Also consider where you want/are able to live in 5 years, 10 years. Can you pursue the career you are choosing in that area? And keep in mind, things happen in life and people change. The job you have 5 years from now might be completely different from the one you have 10 years from now, or 15. The only thing that stays the same in life is change.

These are very big decisions that will shape your life down the road and you should take your time making them. I would also recommend, unless you already know, figuring out exactly why you are having a hard time with some of your school work. That needs to be addressed, whether it be a medical cause or emotional or otherwise. Something that needs attention could be the source of that problem. It might not be just a lack of passion preventing your success.

Last by not least, about the boyfriend – any significant other worth hanging onto should support you when times are hard. Because no matter what, ready or not, sooner or later they will get hard, and that’s when we need them the absolute most.

One day at a time, you will get there somehow. And I wish you the best of luck. You still have your whole life ahead of you, so good for you. And most of all, you are not hopeless and your fate is far from decided.

That’s my two cents.

probably doesn't help that I commute 45 minutes to school. Its funny, the commute is fantastic on days I have a literature class or art class, but when I drive to accounting/economics/IT classes m anxiety is through the roof, I have thoughts of flunking out and ending up homeless because I am doing so poorly in my business/tech classes this semester

That's an unfortunately long commute. I did that for 4 years and it gets old. Sounds like you're imagining the worst case scenario, which is unlikely to ever happen. Are you really going to end up homeless? Would your parents let that happen? Your friends? As for anxiety in general, I know from many years of experience that it isn't fun. I have an arsenal of natural and pharmaceutical counter measures to help, otherwise it would be too much. Start thinking in terms of what are my problems and what can I do about them. At the end of the day we can only ever do the best we can, but it doesn't have to be alone. Ask yourself who do you know or can seek out to help. Everybody can use counseling. In my experience the best counselors are usually in private practice, which means they are not cheap. Whomever you talk to, if you don't get any answers, it at least helps to vent the negative emotions.

Hi there dear. I feel you. and I know it sucks. Well basically the cause of our negative emotions are the conflicts with our reality and the fantasy of others for us. People love to control our lives, I am a libra and I am artistic as well. I understood the language of brush strokes. I had ideas that are beautiful and out of nowhere, even magical. Then I had to go to school and it messed up my creativity. Until it was lost. I couldn't do it anymore now. It was gone and it sucks. I became a nurse due to family pressure/expectations. I am 27 now and I think you still have time to turn your life around. What I want you to know is that although circumstances made us but at the same time at some point in our lives we are given a freewill by the universe.

evaluate your current situation and learn to feel. Your feelings are your guide. If it feels good then it's right. ;)

Yes I can so relate, acidwireheart Honestly the education system can really dull your mind (unless you really enjoy what you are studying) I thought I lost all my creativity in these long 3 years, I just recently started to revisit it, because I remembered my creativity is everything that makes me...me.

Unless I can reason
With my parents in some way, I've come to a conclusion that I'll just continue to teach myself graphic design, sculpture, all the things I actually enjoy. My parents don't particularly like this either (they see it as "rebellion", going against their wishes, and quitting on accounting. which is a little ridiculous considering I'm
Almost 22)

Graphic design is both a creative and technical field.

You should DEFINITELY NOT FEEL EMBARRASSED. I am 23 in my first year of college. I have already contemplated changing what I am studying. You should be doing what you love and are passionate about and not being forced to study something so dull and unappealing to you. I understand that your parents want you to major in something that will give you a career in the long run, although it is a proven fact that if you don't like what you are studying, you won't love your career. I would keep talking to your parent to try to reason with them and let them know that you are more interested in the arts. I would also show them what kind of jobs you would be able to get with a Arts major.