POV: The COMM Major

By Timberly Fernandez | Staff writer

High school has a design to make students think that they must know what they want to do before they come to college. Most students do, however, I did not. The only thing I was certain about was that I would be attending Augusta University.

Before my first day of school, I switched my major from Psychology to Elementary Education. I thought I could see myself being a teacher. My first semester at school was not what I thought it was going to be. I moved to Augusta to move in with my aunt and uncle, and I was a commuter student. I already felt alone because I did not know anyone here and I did not know anyone at school either. I was backing away from school mentally because I did not feel like I belonged here. I was in a major that I was not completely happy to be in, I did not have any friends, and I was just not on campus as much.

Personal things started to happen in my life, and everything just went downhill. I was just not happy. I thought that was the first sign that I needed to drop out of school and go back to my hometown because nothing was working out in Augusta. I was so overwhelmed with personal and school things.  

I eventually made some friends in my education classes, but I still was not content. I was not connected on campus. I just showed up for work or class, and then went home. I did not like my classes and I knew this major was not for me. Thoughts of “What are you going to do if you change majors?”, “Are you going to be behind?” and “Will you even be happy?” were going through my mind. I decided to stay in education one more semester.

In the education major, they allow their students to go and observe in different schools. My eyes were opened during this opportunity. The classes I would observe were great, but I could not see myself being that person to lead a classroom. I finally gave in and knew I could not do this for the next three years. I did not know what I would change my major to, and then a friend told me I should speak to career services. I made an appointment to discuss major change.

After I told them what interests me and what did not, the career advisor, Connor, mentioned Communication. I had never heard of Communication before, but after we looked into it, I decided to switch. I learned that Communication taught a wide range of things and that’s what drew me in. I did not feel like I was going to have to stick to one area of study.

I was nervous being the new kid in the major, but I knew I made the right decision. The next fall semester was different compared to my first fall semester at AU. I enjoyed my classes. After a while, I noticed my classes seemed to have the same people in it. We all eventually became great friends. The communication department would host events and we would go together. For once, I felt like I had a community at AU. I did not feel lonely or that I did not belong. It sounds childish, but I had friends at school, and we were all in the same major! How exciting!

Until this day, I still have my sweet friends that I made within this major and I am still making new ones. I love being a part of this major and getting to know the faculty in the department. I am learning new things every day and I am enjoying my classes. I sometimes wonder what would happen if I stayed in Elementary Education, but I do not see myself being happy. The day I turned in that paper to switch my major is what changed my college life for the better.

If students are struggling with deciding a major, I would recommend going to Career Services. They were so helpful when I was figuring out what I wanted to do. They cared about my interest and assured me that it was okay to change majors. I now know that I belong at AU and I dread the day that I have to leave.

Contact Timberly Fernandez at tifernandez@augusta.edu