Find Your Thing
– Kyrsten Athan –
I had no idea what I was going to do. A lot of my friends in high school knew what they were going to major in, but I was undecided. When I first got to Nebraska, my Explore Center advisor, Megan Carroll, gave me the advice to take the classes that interested me. It seemed so simple, but it ended up being really helpful.
I took a “Philosophy and Current Issues” class my first semester freshman year and I got an A. I didn’t think I would do that well and I didn't even know philosophy was a major. It opened my mind and helped me understand my opinions on things I had never really thought about in-depth before, so I was kind of sold on it.
Kyrsten Athan
I also took a creative writing class and I loved it. I love writing. I would talk to my friend who is pre-med, and he'd say, "Man, I would hate that assignment. I can't believe you like that." I guess it’s up to whatever your strengths are.
I've always been interested in deep-thinking, so when I would sign up for classes they would automatically end up being philosophy, psychology, and English. That kept happening every semester, so I realized that those are the things I should pursue for my major. Now I’m a double major in philosophy and English with a creative writing concentration and a double minor in psychology and communication studies.
Ditch Your Fears
Just don't be afraid. In high school, I used to have terrible anxiety and I didn't know what I was going to do in the future. Things a lot of us struggle with. Overcoming anxieties and fears and realizing that you are you—you're okay—will help you be successful in college.
I was afraid my advisor would be scary and I wouldn't be able to talk to her, but just trying to let go of those fears helped me talk to her and make a friend. She would give me her genuine experience in taking certain classes, so I would have a personal recommendation on what I should take before I signed up. Then those interactions were never ever scary because there was nothing to be afraid of in the first place.
Enjoy ItAll
I think we all grew up having adults ask us what we're going to be when we're older. Ever since we were kids, we were always asked about the future that we have no idea about. I think that not stressing about not having everything figured out right away is a good thing.
My advice? Enjoy the classes you're taking, and enjoy what you get to learn. I get the opportunity to go to a school that's as amazing as Nebraska. I just try to be grateful that I get to learn, and the future will come when it comes, and I'll figure it out then. 
