Hi everyone! I’m Hannah, a fourth-year Criminal Justice and Psychology major with a minor in International Affairs, originally from South Florida. If you had asked me when I first applied to college what I wanted to study, I probably would’ve given you a different answer every day.
Coming into college undecided felt uncomfortable at first. It’s hard not to compare yourself to people who seem so sure of their path. But instead of forcing a decision, I chose to start in the Explore Program, and that decision ended up shaping everything that came after.
Before I even stepped on campus, I had a moment that stuck with me. During Summer Welcome Days in Boston, I met with my advisor, Kristin Simon. Instead of asking me to pick a major, she asked about what I liked, what I was curious about, and what I wanted to try. That shift, from needing answers to being allowed to explore, made all the difference.
Once the semester started, I leaned into that mindset. I didn’t try to “figure it all out” right away. I took classes that sounded interesting, paid attention to what actually held my attention, and gave myself permission to not have everything mapped out.
At the same time, I pushed myself to get involved. I went to events like Meet the Majors and NU Horizons, talked to professors and students, and asked probably way too many questions. I also got involved in clubs like the Psychology Club and the Criminal Justice Student Advisory Committee, which helped me see what these fields looked like beyond just coursework.
What surprised me most was how my interests started to connect on their own and I found myself drawn to understanding behavior, the justice system, and the bigger social structures behind both. It wasn’t one big realization, it was a lot of small moments that slowly pointed me in the same direction.
By the spring of my first year, the uncertainty I felt at the beginning was gone. I didn’t feel like I was guessing anymore, I felt sure. I officially declared a combined major in Criminal Justice and Psychology with a minor in International Affairs, and it felt like everything finally clicked into place. Honestly, making that decision ended up being one of the easiest parts of my entire Explore experience, largely because I never had to figure it out alone.
Looking back now, I realize that not having a plan forced me to be more intentional. The Explore Program didn’t just help me choose a major, it truly helped me understand why I was choosing it. And that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything. Thanks Explore!