Choosing what to study in college can be a stressful decisions. Don’t panic! Many of students are in the same situation. There may be pressure on you from your parents, professors and academic advisors to choose but don’t let that rush you into a decision. Ultimately, the decision is yours and you should make sure you are doing what is best for you. The following are some tips to help you choose the major that is right for you.
If you’re still in high school, wait until college to choose your major. Despite what others may be telling you and what your peers have decided for their paths, it’s better to wait until college to choose your field of study. When you get to college, you can take a wide array of courses in different disciplines until you find one that is of interest to you. Take a few more courses on the subject and if that initial interest begins to bloom, it may be the major for you. If not, move on to the next one. Many colleges and universities don’t require you to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year, so take those four semesters to broaden your horizons.
Visit your college’s career center. If you are unsure what your passion may be or what field you may excel in, look into on-campus resources. Many campuses offer career counseling services where you can meet with an advisor and discuss the interests you have and what a good path may be for you. Some even offer career assessments that can help point you in the right direction.
Make sure to separate your goals from the goals of others. “I know what’s best for you” is an adage your parents may have used throughout your life, but when it comes to choosing a major that may not hold true. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you want for yourself and what your career goals are, and those are probably different from what your parents want. Your father may want you to go to medical school but if your heart is in engineering, go in that direction. Put your major in a real-world context. You don’t have to decide which career path you will take now, but know what your options are. Maybe try to get an internship in the field for the summer to see what it is like to actually work in the field. Jobs vary greatly from what you learn in your lectures. By doing this you may be able to see a career is right for you…or very wrong for you.
Be flexible. The best part about college is you have every opportunity to change your mind about your major. Just because you chose political science your freshman year, doesn’t mean you are stuck with it. If you find an interest in biology, go to your academic office and request a major change. Also, you may find that you aren’t as good at your chosen subject as you thought you would be, be willing to explore other outlets to find what may be a good fit for you.
Don’t let salaries dictate your decision. Sure, everyone wants a job that offers a six figure salary, but are you really going to be happy being a lawyer? Elementary education may not pay as much as other fields, but if it’s where your passion lies, run with it. You will be happier and more successful in the long run working in a career you love than you would be working a high paying job you hate.
Take your time, but don’t take too long. Certain academic programs have many required courses and prerequisites. Unless you have the financial means to extend your college stay by a few semesters (or more), try to make your choice in a timely manner. The pre-med concentration, for example, has a plethora of math and science courses that must be completed, as well as the MCAT that needs to be taken for admission to medical school. Don’t let a late decision affect your chances of being in a field you love.
Remember, a major isn’t a life sentence. Many graduates end up in careers that are different from their college majors. Most people change career fields two or three times in their lifetime. Your college education and major is just a jumping off point. There are many great things to come after college and well into your future careers.
