I had no idea when I went to junior college what I really wanted to do. Ended up majoring in Music for my AA degree. First 2 years are just general Ed requirements anyway....the perfect time to figure out direction in 2 years when a junior. You can maybe take some STEM classes to fulfill your general classes that way you can see if you are ok with them & take classes you enjoy like your animation classes. ( I took several animation classes way back in 1990 in extension classes at UCLA. really enjoyed them)

I would definitely go to the career counseling office. They have tests to give to find apptitudes & they can also let you know the companies that hire for specific majors. Most colleges have on campus interviews at the time of graduation so the office can definitelybletnyou know current companies that are hiring in different fields.

Some majors actually have intern programs for people in the majors where you get real work experience & college class credit. You can check if the media major you are interested in may have something like that too.

Oh my, you are just starting.....this is not the time when most people even have the foggiest idea of what direction they are going in. SOME do....MOST DON'T. Besides even if they do it doesn't guarantee they will actually like the classes or do well in them when they actually get involved in the classes farther along the major

I changed majors as a junior because music was never going to provide the professional level of work & I found out compared to other performers I would never make it . Changed to Accounting Information a systems with a comp sci minor. Took longer to graduate but came out with a career.....but in media you may find the perfect career. Research wait the school offers. Get involved in any on campus clubs related to the major you want. That way you get to interface & hear other people's experiences.

It will all come together in the long run & it will allnstartntontakenshape & make sense to you. You are just stepping into a huge pond....like you, my parents had no education past high school & had no idea what it was like so I had to figure it all out myself. That is a good experience too, but would seriously look into the career guidance office at this point....no need to spin your wheels any more than is normal coming into college for the first time without much background or coaching or mentoring.....

But you can succeed, just as well if not better than those giving you a bad time......& NO, not a waste of money though I did go to a junior college for the first 2 years in order to complete my general ed cheaper than at the university I ended up at......but take advantage of all the support & guidance your university has to offer that's what it's there for.

Relax & enjoy your experience. You will end up just as successful as those giving you a hard time.