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I Lost Interest in My University Major

I Lost Interest in My University Major

Throughout high school, I explored a bunch of different career possibilities.

At first I wanted to be an author and write young adult novels, but it was obviously a very unreliable career path.

Next I wanted to be a graphic designer, but I wasn’t that great of an artist or Photoshop user.

I also wanted to be a journalist, but I was only good at creative writing.

At last, I stumbled upon my ultimate career dream: a film editor.

Ryerson University

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Figuring out my dream career

I’d always had a fascination with video editing.

I taught myself how to use Sony Vegas Pro and Final Cut Pro as a kid, and I even did high school co-op at Rogers TV as a video editor using Avid Media Composer.

I wanted to work as an editor in Hollywood, or possibly Vancouver (Hollywood North) because I wanted to support the Canadian film industry.


Getting into my dream university program

Five years ago, Ryerson University became my dream school.

To my disappointment, I didn’t get into my first choice of Film Studies at Ryerson.

But, I did get into my second choice, Radio and Television (now called Media Production).

First year was great – I learned a lot of brand new skills and enjoyed every second of it.

It was everything I expected to get out of RTA and more.

Second year was fun as well.

Somehow, once I got into third year, I lost my passion for editing and film production.


How I lost interest in my university major

The thing about RTA is that you’re limited to the courses that are being offered.

In fall semester of third year, 4 out of 5 of my courses were for my English (mandatory for my program) and Film Studies minors, which made me miserable about school.

My goal wasn’t to be an English major or to be an expert in the history of film.

My goal was to learn how to make cool things and share them with the world.

In an effort to change things up for winter semester, I picked courses related to children’s programming and gaming to see if I was interested in those industries.

I wrote my own version of a BoJack Horseman episode and created a Drake-themed computer game.

I also took EFP (electronic field production) in an attempt to rekindle my love for production.

Unfortunately, all of this has just reminded me that I have lost interest in what I believed for so long would be my future.

I’m enjoying what I’m learning, but none of it is anything I would want to do in the long-term.


Exploring my new interests

Over the past half year, my interests have been gearing towards digital media.

I’ve been working in digital media (professionally and personally) for over a year and everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned on my own or from my employers.

You don’t really need to go to school to learn how to create online content or use social media.


Is it normal to lose interest in your degree?

Several people Adam has interviewed for Students of Ryerson have said they’ve lost interest in their programs as well.

I think Ryerson’s Media Production is an excellent program and you really do learn a lot, but it’s not related to what I want to do in my future anymore.

It terrifies me that I don’t know what I want to do when I graduate, but I have confidence that I’ll figure it out.


What do I do if I’ve lost interest in my major?

For anyone in the same position, I think the best thing to do is power through it and have your degree as a backup.

Especially if you’ve already put in 3 years like I have, you might as well complete it so you’ll at least have a degree to fall back on.

I may have lost interest in my major, but I figured out what my interests are for now.

It’s impossible for most people to figure out what they want to do for the rest of their lives at 22 years old.

Whatever you decide to do, know that most things in life don’t have to stay permanent and you can change what you want to do even 10 years from now.


If you went to post-secondary school, did you lose interest in your university major at any point? How did you deal with it? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!

If you’re looking for more university tips, you might enjoy these posts:

Jessica Lam | Toronto lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and travel blogger | Diary of a Toronto Girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog

What to do if you've lost interest in your university major
  1. Kyle Wong says:

    I just saw this post in the Ryerson’s accepted group! I like your blog it’s totally relatable 🙂 You clearly put a lot of time and effort into this blog and that’s awesome!

  2. Jessica Lam says:

    Thanks Kyle! 🙂

  3. shaakthi says:

    Sweetie, YOU’RE 21 YEARS OLD. For fuck’s sake, how on Earth do youths decide what they want to do FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE at such a young age? If nothing pulls you don’t force it! I was in art school myself before I felt hollow as shit and now I am in… a program with lots of math/physics…. this decision I could not make when I was 16 when we were required to pick out “streamed courses” in high school (math/arts/business). Good luck!

  4. Jessica Lam says:

    Thank you for the advice, shaakthi!

  5. Do you still feel the same way? I love media production and editing but I’m afraid I’ll feel like you at the end. I’m also afraid that I might not get accepted, I haven’t even applied but everyone says that the acceptance rate is so low, and it costly and my grades aren’t very good either…. advice???

  6. Jessica Lam says:

    I’ve started to enjoy production again, but I’m still more interested in digital media – which being in RTA has helped me realize. Had I not been in this program, I wouldn’t have even known what digital media was!

    I think I’ve heard that the acceptance rate is around 10%, and if your marks aren’t that great, I suggest taking another year to upgrade your marks. If your average is at the very least in the high 80s, you should be fine. You never know if you’ll get in or not if you don’t try, so it’s worth applying for!

  7. Chloe Tzang says:

    Well, I know how you feel. I graduated Nursing coz I wanted that reasonably secure job but my passion has always been creative writing. Now that I’ve graduated and I’m working, I’m studying creative writing part time and starting to get myself established as an author with some paid commission work. So I’m totally with you on the “complete that degree and keep it in your back pocket” idea. Except in my case it’s my front pocket. Your blog’s actually been a bit of inspiration for me, so thank you for articulating this so well and good luck. Find your dream and just go for it! We’re so lucky we can do that.

  8. Mackenzie Spencer says:

    what was your process like applying for the program media production? did you have to write a essay or make a portfolio?

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