July/August 2019 25not have otherwise considered. I changed my
major from Early Education to Special Education
Elementary Education. Not a huge difference but
it allowed me to take classes within the Special
Education field as well as my current major, which
made my studies a little more difficult.
After the semester ended, I was unsure if that was
what I wanted to focus on. The next semester,
I met with my academic advisor to explore op-
tions. She concentrated on my interests and
explained more possibilities. Around this time,
my mom informed me that my youngest broth-
er was struggling in middle school because he
did not get the help he needed at the elementary
level. It broke my heart to hear that he was having
academic and social problems because multiple
Speech-Language Pathologists at the school failed
to diagnose him properly. They simply labeled
him “developmentally delayed,” but his challenge
turned out to be something more. After the news
that he would undergo numerous tests over spring
break, I decided to focus on helping my brother
as much as I could. This is what led me to study
Speech and Hearing Science. I want to become a
Speech-Language Pathologist not only to under-
stand how my brother had not been accurately
diagnosed but also to help others in the same
situation.I eventually figured out what I wanted to study
and what career I wanted to pursue all in my first
year of college. Being able to schedule my own
classes gave me the power to choose. I also joined
the collegiate cheer team at my school and made
some wonderful friends in my classes. My room-
mate and I are now very close friends.The college experience is unique to each individ-
ual. Don’t enter into a roommate situation ex-
pecting to become best friends. Some roommates
prefer a little distance. Some have quite different
lifestyles and hardly see each other, so don’t be
sticky. Join some clubs or a team. Reach out and
make friends. Most everyone is looking for social
connections just like you are. Be open to new
people, experiences, and career options. Maybe
you will keep your major. Or perhaps the path you
start will not be the one you take. Ultimately, you
choose your destiny. Relax and let it happen.I eventually figured out what I wanted to study. Being able
to schedule my own classes gave me the power to choose.
Kristin Urabe attends Arizona State University as a Speech
and Hearing Science major. She plans to
become a Speech-Language Pathologist.
The first year of college taught Kristin
that it’s okay to change goals, that college
helps people figure out what they want to
do. Kristin is part of the collegiate cheer
team at ASU and will join a sorority next
fall. This summer she plans to travel to
Hawaii to visit family and to Japan (for the
first time) to see a friend.