I am currently a junior enrolled in an HDFS (Human Development and Family Studies) major with a potential double major, current minor, in psychology. I’m taking a leave of absence this upcoming spring to work for a couple of months because of financial reasons. I have a 3.5 in my program despite having had a horrendous fall semester due to a change of medication which resulted in a severe depressive episode that essentially left me unable to function to any degree.
HDFS is a fairly broad yet specific major. It pertains to various fields involving work with people across the developmental lifespan and can permit one to work in counseling, education, medicine, etc. At my school, you must choose a major before the end of your second semester of your sophomore year and that is precisely what I did. I waited until the very last minute because I was completely clueless as to what I wanted to do with myself. I don’t really have any genuine skills specific to anything. I’m fairly above average in various subjects but not skilled enough to truly shine in anything or be successful in those fields (or maybe I am but I haven’t had self worth since I was probably 18 months old lol it’s fine I’m fine).
I selected HDFS because I took a few classes in this major after having spend the first three semesters of my college experience ruling out other ones and my advisor just had to throw me in classes in able to hurry me alone and help me in the decision process. I did fairly well in all my HDFS and psych related classes, my lowest grade among them being a B+ this past semester after my casual mental breakdown. But, the whole time I was in the class I found myself realizing that I really only understand the material because a lot of it surrounds mental health and I’ve dealt with that since I was small and that was truly the only reason I was succeeding in the classes. I really do not want to pursue a career in anything HDFS can offer based on what I’ve read. It’s either emotionally draining, dull, or, I hate to say it, but it does not provide a sustainable living for myself and my future dogs.
I think I have no direction I would enjoy this major and the hate I’m developing for it is causing me so much anxiety and making me want to just leave school entirely and I know that’s illogical and I can’t do that. But, I genuinely have no clue what to do and swatching majors this deep in seems impossible. I only have 3 more semesters left after I return from this leave, and I just don’t see myself finding any happiness in this major. I know you don’t have to be happy in your career or enjoy yourself… but I don’t see myself not being anything but miserable if I continue into this career. Maybe things aren’t as black and white as I’m making them and it’ll be fine just to stay in it and hopefully find a bearable career path or maybe switching major isn’t as horrendous as I think… but I know finances could be problematic and the idea of my first 2.5 years being for nothing terrifies me.
If anyone has any advice regarding the feelings regarding hatred toward your major or swapping or career paths, etc. please let me know because as of now, I feel completely hopeless and lost as to what I can do. 