Here comes the second draft together with 2014! I just realised I have made lots of ambiguous sentences on the first draft, so I cut some sentences or... probably removed them.
Choosing The Right College Major
By KW (Sweet Rain ☆)
Graduating from high school is one of the biggest achievements worth celebrating. It denotes readiness for the next level of your education. Preparing for a college entrance exam and choosing where to study are not as easy as it sounds. That applies to choosing what you are going to learn in college too ; it is no longer a secret that college students commonly change their field of concentration in the middle of the year.
Moving from one major to another is not forbidden because for some people, it might help discover their passion and what they really wish to study. Nonetheless, a fixed choice of major from the beginning is better due to the fact not all colleges allow students to move to a different major before graduating.
So, what can you do to decide which major is the right one for you?
Look back to high school years
This is usually used as a first step for some people to weigh their decision between several promising majors. All you need to do is ask yourself which lessons you really liked back at high school.
Bear in mind that lessons you love are not always the ones you can easily get a sky high grade, although if you love that lesson you will automatically push yourself to do your best. This includes doing a test as well when you like a lesson, you usually get good grades on that subject. Should you truly like a class, you may find yourself feeling energized and curious while learning or go to a deeper context about what you have learnt by looking up challenging questions related to the subject online - perhaps you feel the need to know more about it.
After that, remember what kind of clubs or organizational activities you have joined during your three years as a high school student. Try thinking about the club or activity that piqued your interest. Maybe you used to be a member of the creative writing club of your school, and you wrote with all of the creativity and passion you got during club time.
Know your passions, talents and hobbies
You may have heard this classic quote: "Follow your passion, and success will follow you." As cheesy as it sounds, this proves to be true for everyone who gives it all they have in what they do. Here comes another self-questioning session. You need to know what you really like to do and what you are good at. Do you wish to contribute to a 'better world' with what you have after spending four years in college?
Are you constantly thinking about how the world's environment can be better? Do you collect something related to your interest? For instance, you love reading and you have a big collection of literary books ranging many different eras. Do you like doing something else? What have you achieved with your talents, and what do you hope to achieve?
Getting to know yourself is beneficial for deciding your major.
Find your personal values
The next step is to discover what you really wish to obtain from learning in a major. What motivates you to gain more knowledge regarding a certain major is also important for choosing your future. Studying about something just because someone else says so is a jeopardy for your motivation fuel because not everyone's suggestions will match your interests. Ask yourself what your dream job is, and what kind of working methods you prefer. Is it in a team or by yourself? Whatever you choose, there is no right or wrong answer. Also ask yourself this question: what are your plans after obtaining your bachelor's degree?
Finding a major that fits your personality and mindset is crucial to keep your determination alive while studying. You wouldn't want to feel out of place in your major before graduating, thus losing motivation before you reach the end of your studies. For instance, choosing Applied Mathematics concentration is not for you if you do not feel calculations and analysis are your forte.
Don't let public opinions change your choice
Society can give a lot of ideas about which majors are 'the best' or most prestigious. It can even give the implication that choosing any majors other than the select popular few will leave you poorer or unemployed. Whilst it's important to be realistic about job prospects after college, it is unwise to choose a subject simply because it seems like something which can give a highly paid career, or because other people say it will suit you.
Weigh up the chances of success, and learn about something you have a passion for. Choosing a major which you don't really care about will mean that you have little enthusiasm, thus learning less effectively and being unwilling to use your qualification (if you manage to finish it at all) upon graduation.
Making this sort of peer-pressured choice is a mistake which can be costly financially, psychologically and physically, so it's incredibly important to avoid doing so.
Once you know what to choose, have fun preparing your college application. College is a once in a lifetime experience which lasts only four years, so make it memorable! Of course, the first step of making your university years more memorable is to be true to your self about what you like and wish to study.