Eight Signs You're Taking Your Major Too Seriously

Education is always an important endeavor, but as with all things, there should be a balance between schooling, and the rest of your life. That is assuming you have a life. Sometimes school tends to take over our lives, and even our personalities. Don’t let yourself burn out. If you relate to any of the following signs, it might be time to take a break.

You Have Nightmares Related to Your Major

It is normal to dream about things that are important in our lives. However, when the dreams are becoming more like sweaty, scream inducing nightmares, you may have a problem. Take a good hard look at that man-eating homework assignment dream. Is it more than stress?

You Never Take Fun Courses

Do you find you skip interesting courses just because you feel you must stick with only required courses or those relating to your major? Remember that now is your chance to explore new ideas, new interests and you need not always confine yourself to the requirements.

You Only Hang Out With Others Majoring in the Same Field

It's natural to make friends with those who share similar interests. If all of your friends are only others in your field, however, you are probably limiting yourself. If your friendships are becoming as tired as you are, maybe find some other people to relax with.

Things You Enjoyed about Your Major No Longer Make You Feel Joy

If this happens, it might not mean that you need to change your major. It could just mean you need to take a break from those studies. School is hard work, but you should still enjoy your major.

Your Schoolwork Keeps You from other Important or Meaningful Activities

Happy people are usually those who have a balance between necessary tasks and social life. It is great to be dedicated, but if you feel you are missing other important things, you probably are. Don't let your major become a major time consumer.

You are Chronically Anxious or Depressed

Everyone has bad days, but if these days are becoming the norm, it is time to step back and find out why. Take care of your mental and emotional health by taking a break when you need one.

You Have Developed Chronic Sleep Deprivation

Those nightmares are making you wake up tangled in the sheet night after night? You may have a big problem. The body uses sleep time to make repairs on the body. Without adequate sleep, your brain and all other organs suffer. If your schedule is not allowing you enough relaxation time, cut things back.

You Pick up Nearly Every Cold or Other Illness That Comes Along

Your sniffles could be a sign of extra brain strain from your studies. Mental stress can take a toll on the immune system. If you are feeling run down, school stress could be why.

Taking a break of re-evaluating your coursework does not mean you have to quit school completely. If your major is engineering, for example, you could enroll in online NJIT civil engineering Master's programs and take virtual classes to remove some stress associated with attending regular classes. Everyone needs a break from time to time, so make sure you are getting everything you need to function great and get your degree!