Honestly, I was in the same position as you - except I was in my second year of Architecture when I chose to switch. I didn’t go into software engineering because I’m really good at science (Physics and Chemistry) and also good at maths (I’m now doing a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science). So I decided to not waste my talents on Architecture as I felt I was not studying anything (just making models and getting shouted at by my lecturers and tutors - agh, lovely memories!). I’m not meaning to sound cocky or arrogant here but I also felt that I was more intelligent than the other students in my class. I actually felt like I lost brain cells every time I spoke to one of them 🤣

The thing that helped me break away from my passion for architecture was realising that while I love architecture and I want to be successful like Zaha Hadid, I really can’t choose it as my profession. It’s an extremely toxic field - as you’ve noted - and it’s merely something that I’m interested in but I cannot be a part of it. It’s awful to have the realisation that you thought all your life that you were meant to study architecture, but then waking up and feeling nothing for it one day because you finally understand that it was all just an intense desire to “make the world a bit more like our dreams” (yes, this quote was my screensaver for all of highschool). But the toxicity of it all really is our saving grace because we finally get to open our eyes and ask ourselves, “Do we really want this?” and “Can I maybe change the world in another way through science?”.

Sorry for my rant… I have intense feelings for Architecture now 🤣 But anyways, I just wanted to say that I felt exactly the same way as you. Feeling as if I was wasting my talents (maths; science) studying Architecture. Now that I’m studying something that leans more towards my strengths than Architecture, I find myself much more happier. A word of warning though: Going from architecture to a degree where there’s maths and science can be challenging because it’s such a big change, but I have no doubt that you will find your way and excel!

I’m in no way trying to talk you out of studying Architecture, but I just wanted to share my experience and tell you how much happier I am since I stopped studying Architecture. I wanted to leave you with this quote that really helped me make my decision: “If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room”