I change majors more than I change my away message. But now, I have to pick one and stick to one — and pray that I can survive one.

I entered college thinking that I was going to be some masterful Biology major. A true pre-med all the way. Then, about halfway into my freshman year it occurred to me. I hate plants. Not just hate, I detest them. In one semester, I had already reached my chloroplast tolerance. I could take no more.

I began to dread everything that had pistils and I yearned to be filament free. I was overcome with the fear of becoming a labrat, and that fear became a reality when a dining hall experience left me with fully dissected piece of celery.

How could I be a bio major if I didn't enjoy plants? I looked at the requirements. I couldn't. Would I ever really need to know all those basic microscopic plant parts? As a doctor I wouldn't be performing surgery on Elodea leaves — unless some kid ingested them.

So, I changed majors. On my way to bio I noticed all the little white lab coats hanging in a row. How fun to wear one of those everyday! Maybe chemistry was for me. That lasted about three weeks. No way, no how. Not only did it involve more time in a lab, but also time spent with chemicals that had the ability to burn my hand off. I know people are probably saying, "Man, what type of a doctor will this kid be?" But, I assure you, I deal a lot better with people than petrol. It's just not my bag, baby. I can wait four more years to wear the white lab coat.

I skipped math and engineering all together. Like many other students, the reputation alone scared me. I had enough physics, graphing and compasses to last me a lifetime just by looking at the artwork on the lawn in front of the building.

Finally, after reading a book on medical school admissions, I realized that I didn't need to have some grand technical undergraduate major to be a doctor. I could major in whatever my little heart desired. It became an issue of what I enjoy, and what I would enjoy learning more about. That made it easy: Theology. Two more years of theology classes sounded really appealing to me, more so than political science, even more than music!

This change doesn't mean that I won't be taking premed courses. But there will be no more plants for this chickadee, I hope. And the more I think about it, the more I believe that theology is the perfect major for me entering the medical profession. We need religion in medicine. I will need religion in my practice. Jesus is the ultimate partner.

I can picture my office now. I see the big desk, I see my lab coat with my own name on it. My medical school diploma will be on the wall, but more prominently displayed will be the crucifix. The diploma will be there to show people where I got my medical education, but the crucifix will be there to show why.

Now, I love talking about my major. But even more, I love seeing people's reaction when I answer the question, "What are you going to do with a religious studies major?"

"Easy," I answer. "I'm going to medical school."

And with my partner in my heart, anything is possible.

• Go, theo, go.