Major: Undeclared

There are some things about me that I really wish God would have reconsidered before forming me, but one thing that I thank God for about myself is that I always knew what I wanted to do after graduating from school. These ideas ranged from wanting to be a bus driver (in kindergarten) to waning to become a country singer (all of middle school). Granted, some of these ideas weren't practical and when asked if I had a backup plan, I would laugh in that person's face and say a backup plan wasn't necessary.

I'm really glad that when students reach the high school, they are allowed to choose to an extent what classes they take. Had that not been the case for me, I would not have figured out what my true passion in life was...at least not right away. I found my reason for living (besides Jesus, of course) in an elective - German class. I would have never thought that that class would turn my life upside down, but it did. Not only did I learn things about the language, but God taught me things about life and Himself through the German language and the different experiences I've had with it. As each year passed, my love for the language (and eventually the people) increased by leaps and bounds. So when the time came for me to choose a college and a major, the major at least was a no-brainer. I wanted to be a German teacher because I wanted to show kids how your life can really change when you have a passion for something. I chose Millersville University because it is cheap, close to home, a good teaching school, and I already knew one of the German professors.

I definitely agree with what was said previously about taking a year off before going to school - that is an awesome way to let God teach you things before entering school again. It all depends on what type of person you are. I love school, so it was no big deal for me to continue right away.

After I graduate from college, I'm not planning on teaching in America right away. I'm going to be going to Germany with Eastern Mennonite Missions for at least a year to work with some missionaries in Halle, Germany. I might be teaching English there, but I'm not totally sure what's in store for me. I know that God has been preparing me for the last six years for it though, and that's comforting to me.

If you're not totally sure what you want to major in, that's perfectly OK. God will use you where you are at, and He will guide you to where He wants you to be. Just be still and know that He is God.

First, I must commend you—and MMA—for this website and for taking a step at reaching out to “our” generation. It’s a great idea and one that I hope will continue to catch on.

In response to the question of picking a major and being undecided I will reflect a bit on my own story as a source of advice…

Following high school I attended Bluffton University, where I entered my freshman year as one of many “undecided” students. Perhaps the most common comment I received when I told people that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to “do” or study was, “Oh, that’s okay! I still don’t know what I want to do!”

Throughout the first two years of college I began to narrow down my options, until one day I just decided that I wanted to declare something. So I chose Business. I chose business because it seemed practical, useful, versatile, and something that I could excel in. In many ways a business major suited me well. Yet throughout the remaining two years of college there days when I wondered why I had really chosen business, and wished that I would have looked more closely into other areas of study. Although I probably would have had similar thoughts and feelings regardless of the major I ended up choosing, sometimes I wonder what I would have chosen had I decided to wait a year or two before entering college...

While the benefits of entering college immediately after high school are numerous, I think there are also many positive things that come out of taking some time “off” –especially for people still completely uncertain of what to study. Although interests are bound to change throughout our lives (as is evidenced by the number of people that told me that they “still don’t know what they want to do!”) it might be a good use of our resources to take a little time to explore our talents, gifts, and “call” before plunging into college. Taking time off to work or explore different service opportunities could provide a great way of figuring out what to study in school. However, on the flip side…the college setting can also serve as an excellent place to explore some of these same questions…what do you think?