Which term describes events that may change the course of one's life?

Major life events refer to significant occurrences that can profoundly alter an individual's life trajectory. These events often entail considerable change, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the loss of a loved one. Such pivotal moments typically require substantial adjustment and have lasting effects on a person’s mental and emotional well-being.

In contrast, daily hassles are minor annoyances or challenges that occur in day-to-day life and, while they can add up and contribute to overall stress, they do not usually change one's life course significantly. Acute stressors are sudden, intense pressures that demand immediate attention but are typically short-lived and do not instigate long-term changes in an individual’s life. Stressors, as a broader category, encompasses both major life events and daily hassles, but only major life events are specifically characterized by their potential to significantly redirect one's life path. Thus, the correct choice, major life events, highlights the impactful nature of these occurrences.