<p>I'm majoring in biochemistry, and I really like studying chemistry and some biology from the theoretical textbook standpoint. But I'm starting to realize that I don't care too much for the lab part and nor am I good at it. The type of work I want to get into is research/development, but not doing chemical experiments. </p>
<p>I find myself enjoying things like sitting at my computer and spending hours on end trying to figure out why my webpage isn't displaying correctly, opening up my computer and installing hardware, answering people's computer questions, etc... Basically constant problem solving involving code/technology. I am really starting to wonder if I should change my major to say computer science. I've read a lot of articles recently about how important it is to major in something you really like, otherwise "misery will ensue."</p>
<p>I am only a college freshman in my first semester, so all the classes I've taken thus far are core classes.</p>
<p>But at the same time, I really don't want to be one of those people who keep changing their majors, as I am not rich enough to afford that.</p>
<p>Just wanted to post in case someone had some advice for me, or if someone else wanted to vent about their coldfeet as well.</p>
<p>I think you should choose something that is interesting to you. College can be bad enough with all of the work that is required and it can be a lot worse if you are majoring in something you don't really like. I did that for a while, trying to convince myself that I did like the major. But you can't run from who you are and deny what talents you really have.</p>
<p>Take a wide range of classes your first 2 years at school, so you will know what you like and what you don't like. A field might spark your interest that you've never even heard of or thought of before. Even if your school doesn't have required credits in many different fields, it's still a good idea to take a wide range of classes.</p>
<p>why not go to the career center and take some tests to help you identify potential careers, as welll as talk to a counselor about the best way to pursue them? Of course frosh year nothing is set in concrete, you don't need to make final decisions now. However it sounds like you're already realizing what you're doing isn't the right path, which is fine; finding out what isn't* right is valuable in its own right. So you're right to think of changing. Also bear in mind if you don't start in CS early it may be difficult to switch into it later, this being an exception to soccerguy's advice.</p>
<p>I certainly sympathize with you. I have been interested in the sciences my entire life, but have to give up on the dream of majoring in one, simply because I'm a failure at lab.</p>
<p>I too am in my first semster of classes, but I've changed my major 3 times already! I was admited as an elementry education major, switched to radio/television production at orientation, switched to child development a month ago, and just went back to R/TV last week. (I swear I'm done this time! I couldn't be around the cleaners that I would have been required to use in child dev, plus I wasn't really happy..)<br>
It's better to change in your first year than to get a few years in and decide that you hate your major and have to start over. My best advice is to talk to students and professors in the major you're think about changing to. Also, go explore the building where classes for that major are held. You can find out more going to the actual department and talking to the people there than going to career center (or at least this is true at my school..).</p>
<p>Some schools don't tolerate the constant change of majors. The first college I went to required that you complete affiliation requirements for a certain major within two years. So you basically had one semester to decide what major you wanted to do so you could complete the necessary requirements. The college that I am at now is very different. There are students who have been there for 5 years and tried three different majors. Some of the departments don't require advisement and as a result some students end up staying for years and years before graduating.</p>
<p>I think a huge misconception of science is that the only people who are important to its development are lab geeks. </p>
<p>There are many careers in research science that don't involve hands on lab work in the slightest. Actually, I came to the same realization myself a little while ago. I swapped gears from Bioengineering to Bioinformatics -- same cool stuff -- except that its hands off, more executive, and more money. </p>
<p>Though, I guess an exception here is that almost everywhere you're going to have to tinker around with data. But, chances are if you enjoy html, css, php, and all that good stuff, you're probably pretty good with data.</p>
<p>And about the money... Everyone who's hands on in science almost universally can't reach 6 figure income.. </p>
<p>Don't give up on your passion just because you blow ass at lab. You can combine your skills and passions into a career that you'll enjoy for your entire life.</p>