Sooo… what’s your major?!

The college experience has treated me well so far… to say the least. I’ve met amazing friends, had opportunities to become involved with meaningful organizations and events, explored Minneapolis/St. Paul through many random adventures, and experienced school spirit and pride to a degree I only dreamed of in high school!!

As far as that whole ‘academic’ part of school goes, I got pretty dried out. As an undeclared student, I grew extremely frustrated having to take general classes that were only semi-interesting, for the most part irrelevant to my life, and filled my time with busywork. I spent the end of my freshman year and most of my summer talking to career counselors and doing research on random majors at the U of M. I felt like I was just going through the motions searching for my purpose in life. It was like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, as I’m sure is a very common feeling for many college students in the decision making process of what to do with your life.

After a conversation at Bread and Belonging regarding vocation and discernment, I left feeling very puzzled and curious about how I was just supposed to know when I was hearing God’s call. I’m usually an avid journal-er, but because of the constant business of life, I neglected this source of releasing my emotions and thoughts. However, I felt moved to journal after this night of Bread and Belonging. I opened my journal and realized it had been since June that I had last written an entry. Four pages later, I felt some sense of relief. I picked up my Bible—another thing I’ve neglected to do recently… which was conveniently under my journal. I found a few reassuring verses, one of which keeps coming up in my life: Proverbs 3:5-6… “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your paths.”

It became clear to me that I was taking responsibility for discerning my future alone… which, in hindsight, is completely ridiculous. I was so frustrated and discouraged with the idea of the future that I was losing motivation to work hard in my classes. What I forgot is that God has a plan for me and always has had a plan.

After a month of writing in my journal more regularly, praying like crazy, and patiently putting my complete trust in His plan, I answered a pretty strong call to apply to the Family Social Science program. Days later, I received an e-mail congratulating me on getting into the program! I can now answer the question that I’ve heard on a daily basis since senior year of high school: “So, what’s your major?!”  Weird how things just seem to come together when we let God in…

Feed your faith and your doubts will starve.

–Kalysta Schlitter :]