hinstem

[hinstem]

How not getting into my desired major got me into something better for me

Since it's close to college entry exams (at least where I live), I feel like it's a good time to share my story, maybe it could help someone out .

In 2021, I was in my last year of high school, focusing on subjects like biology, chemistry and physics. My goal was to get into pharmacy. I did my college admission exams in June, in a year where students where especially anxious on whether they would get enough of a grade for their desired degree, since the previous year, grades had spiked up like never before. I went in, thinking "surely, these grades wouldn't get higher, right?"

Wrong.

My grade was 0.1 shy from my desired degree. I was devastated.

I had gotten into my second option of majors, computer engineering, which I had put as a safety option since I wanted to at least study something. I didn't even get into my first option university for that major either.

I was really sad, but I didn't give up, I retook my exams in September and got my grade a whole point up. Of course, there wasn't any places left for pharmacy that year, so I figured I'd try to get into it next year.

Meanwhile, I decided to actually start the degree in computer engineering. Might as well learn something useful for the year.

It turned out to be the best decision I've ever taken.

During that year, little by little, I learned more about programming and mathematics and, though it was hard stuff, I really enjoyed studying it. What I didn't enjoy is the way things were being taught at my specific university (though, of course, that was my personal experience. Other people really liked it).

When June of next year came, I applied to university again.

Though, it wasn't for pharmacy (though, my grade actually was good enough to get in), but to my previous first option for computer engineering. I think that was some kind of plot twist, because my whole family was surprised by me not reapplying to pharmacy.

I did get in to my desired university. And the rest is history.

I'm now in my third year, specializing in theoretical computer science and I've come to the point where I can say with certainty that I love my major. I think it was, on the long term, the best option for me. My sister now studies pharmacy and I don't think I would've really enjoyed it.

So, if you're a student reading this, just know, failing isn't really the end of the world. Life may take you in a different direction. Maybe you will fall in love with the direction you're going, like I did. If not, then you can always try again, and I hope that this story gives you some comfort, or some insight. My advice is to study and persevere, and always keep trying, but to take things calmly and try things out, even if they don't seem the most pleasant to you at first.

I'd love to hear other stories, I feel like they might help students who are going through this process now or who will be going though it soon.