So it’s that time of year, when freshmen in Harpur (like me) are becoming worried about what they’re going to do next year.

Every one in my extended family keeps asking me the same question: ‘What are you majoring in?’ It’s starting to get me a little anxious. Should I declare myself a pre-law major? Should I start the long haul toward a double major? Should I try for the possibly painful process of making an individualized major? Should I drop out of school to sell my non-essential organs for textbook money for the coming year?

These are important questions ‘ mostly. ‘Who’s going to answer them?’ you ask. If you’re lucky, and if you close your eyes and wish REALLY hard, then the Harpur Advising Department may be able to help you. Now, just in case that doesn’t end up happening as planned, and staring at your DARS until you begin to hallucinate doesn’t help either, keep this in mind:

1.For the ‘pre-med’ crowd who realized that studying organic chemistry feels like being punched in the face, here are some ideas: a) Try switching into the Decker School of Nursing (I’m not saying it will be easy, but it’s worth a shot), b) Become a physics major or try for psychology. Both majors require you to be a little bit crazy to begin with, but I’m sure you guys have got it in you.

2.For the ‘I’m going to major in philosophy, double major with rhetoric, and minor in music and Korean and theater’ type: if you haven’t had a nervous breakdown already, take a deep breath, because you’re headed for one. You could take several routes: a) You could keep going down this route and see which subject drives you to the brink of suicide (social or spiritual) first, and drop that one, or you could, b) Use the ‘eenie, meenie, minie, moe’ method. But you should probably become more realistic. Think about the alternatives given below as well.

3.For freshmen like me who are either looking for a way to graduate in four years or are trying to plow their way through college before they head onto law school or grad school, think about this: a) There are two pre-law advisers in Harpur Advising for the pre-law major, whereas there are four general advisers for the rest of the whole college (i.e., your chances are marginally better of getting to see the pre-law advisers to have a meaningful chat), and b) There’s always the Individualized Major Program (IMP). You generally choose it during your sophomore year, you submit guidelines, choose classes and explain what you want do. According to those I’ve talked to that have done it, it’s generally a pretty smooth and enjoyable process, bringing you a major that’s flexible and catered directly to you.

So if you’re terrified of your DARS and even more terrified of trying to be ‘advised’ by counselors, parents or friends, try one of these options.

‘ Pete Groh is a freshman. He still’s trying to get in touch with the Harpur Advising Department.