The world outside your door is beautiful. It requires your attention. It requires your dedication. It requires you to desire it, more than anything you have ever desired before.

My major (mechanical engineering) is no exception.

For engineering, students are up earlier than you thought was ever possible, stay up later than Mom would want and work throughout the entire day.

Your goal every day is to outrun yourself from yesterday, while helping you and your friends the best you can.

I love my major. I love the idea of working on tomorrow’s problems and the idea of inventing new things. This is my passion.

Though through my first two years I have learned one thing more important than anything I could have learned in class: Your worth is not based on your GPA.

Yes, engineering requires good grades. Doing well in school is important, but that isn’t all you are on this Earth to do. Never think that way. Never assume you are worthless because you can’t do what others are capable of. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, do the best you can possibly do.

You are racing no one other than yourself.

To be the best in the world at something is to chase a dream.

Every day you wake up, though, there is one thing you can be the best at. You can be the best version of yourself.

Control what you can control.

College is a time of self-discovery; this is a time of “self-engineering.” We are making new adults, each and every one of us.

Don’t get me wrong; this is tough — never let someone else tell you otherwise.

Don’t assume just because you are doing poorly, just because you are unfocused, that you are a failure. Understand the consequences, but know there are worse things that can happen. For instance, becoming an engineer and learning you don’t want to be an engineer.

Damn.

That would be awful. Understand that a switch of majors, that a new passion, that a new direction in life, is possible.

More importantly, it is OK.

Switching majors happens often. And if it is the right move for you, then it is the right move.

It is so hard in college to be unsure of yourself. A demanding major doesn’t only require good grades, but it also demands self-health. It requires you to ask important questions to yourself.

“What do I want in life? Is this what I want from my life?”

“Am I OK? Is it normal to feel this way?”

Don’t be afraid of a change; there isn’t ever a perfect path, but more times than not there is a better path.

Engineering, I love you. I love the demands, the stress, the deadlines. I love the expectations you have of me.

Let this be clear though, I am not an engineering student first and foremost. Likewise, your major does not define you either.

You are (insert name here) and you are lovely and unique. Work hard and persevere and become the best version of yourself you can become. Know that maybe you haven’t found your niche yet, but you might if you continue looking.