Why double majors are actually the best
Other than being extremely indecisive…
When arriving at UVA, most hopeful students have a slight idea of what they would like to study here, and for some students, that idea gets obliterated, destroyed, and crushed, within the first semester.
I personally struggled with not knowing what the hell I wanted to study. When family members asked what I planned on majoring in, my stomach would sink and I would fall into an awkward silence.
I was encouraged by an English professor in my first year to think about majoring in English. I remember staring at his overflowing bookcase in his office and laughing. What the heck can you do with an English degree that is not teaching? Well, it turns out a lot, and I submitted my major declaration, but I still wanted more.
I decided to also major in Environmental Science since I love the outdoors and the job market is growing in that field.
I decided that going for two degrees, was, yes, overachieving and ambitious, but being the indecisive person that I am, I like knowing that I have options to move around and be flexible and have “applicable skills” in the real world.
I can basically predict the weather with this.
Double majoring at UVA is not easy – especially when the fields do not overlap, and you came in with almost no AP credits. I have always had a full class load, and have had to take summer classes, and I still will not graduate “on time.”
Most double majors NEVER get to take a class just for fun, so do not ask them what classes are easy GPA boosters.
I have absolutely loved all of my classes in both of my majors. I brag about the English and Environmental Science departments equally and frequently. I get a ton of emails about guest lectures, internships, and jobs. I also get two advisors in both departments, and they have been extremely encouraging and supportive about my dual education.
Even though I will graduate with two degrees, I still do not know what the hell I want to do as a career. I am envious of those that have set paths because security seems so nice when you are young, but then again, maybe it is ok not to know, and to be at the whim of opportunity.