1. Why did you select BGS as your major?
My education goals aren’t centered on me getting handed a fancy piece of paper someday. I think education should be on a personal basis, for personal purposes, as in constructing an identity and forming beliefs. It shouldn’t be a metaphorical key to a door somewhere in the workforce. It should be the power behind a person to perform a necessary function in our society, which will hopefully pay enough for survival. Consequently, the BGS program gives me the opportunity to do just that. I can form my own degree, unique to me, in order to become the best version of me that’s possible. For many students, there isn’t just one area of study that allows for that type of growth. Consequently, we major in General Studies, and walk away with a greater understanding of ourselves, our society, and that fancy piece of paper.
2. What are your three minors?
Philosophy, Psychology, and Theatre.
3. How did you select your minors?
I want understand my world to the greatest extent possible. I want a solid and rational system of beliefs from the ground up. Philosophy is that ground, the basis on which I can hold beliefs. The actual definition of philosophy in Greek is ‘love of wisdom’. It wasn’t hard to decide philosophy would be a good minor in my quest for a real education.
Yet, before I can hold any beliefs, I have to be able to understand my own mind. I must be able to see objectively how my behavior and mental functions will affect my understanding of the world. So, of course, I chose psychology as another minor of mine. Wisdom and understanding are no good to me, though, if all I can do is sit on my porch waiting for opportunities to… ‘be wise’. I must be able to apply it to everyday life, to let my understanding go and just live. To be a good actor, you must let go and live realistically under the imaginary circumstances of another world, a play, a film, maybe a commercial. So, I thought to study theatre, and learn the method of simply being would be incredibly beneficial to my development of a person, because I can’t be anyone if I can’t simply be.
4. How does this major fit with your career goals?
My degree in general studies will help me find my niche, career wise. BGS keeps me focused, but not so specific I can’t live to the fullest. I don’t think it’s healthy to have an incredibly specific goal on what you’ll be someday. We are here being and living every single day, and in the course of four years, a student will come across a hilarious amount of opportunity. All of that opportunity is unseen by so many people, because it doesn’t fit in with their idea of what ‘should be’ in the future. The same jobs will be there no matter what degree I have, and if I find I need more education to hold a certain position, I’ll go back to school. I wouldn’t mind at all, I love education.
5. What advice do you have for students considering majoring in BGS?
My biggest advice to anyone majoring in BGS is, stay true to yourself. Study things that you are passionate about, things that inspire you to go to class because you’re interested and not because of attendance requirements. In order to study what inspires you, you must be able to disregard everyone else’s definition of happiness, because it doesn’t apply to yours. Furthermore, don’t forget about whose future happiness you are trying to secure with this bachelors degree, and that’s yours. Unless you’re a proud parent, you only have a responsibility to you, and if you can keep that in mind, and keep your goals and degree self oriented; I’d almost promise you, you would look back on your experience at Texas State as a huge success.
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