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Choosing the right college major
By Karen (Dioramatic♤)
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 they sound. That applies to choosing what you are going to learn in college too.
"Which School is Right for You?" gives you insight on deciding the right school for you, so you can check the article out.
Moving from one major to another is not forbidden because for some people, it might help them to discover their passion and what they really wish to study. Nonetheless, choosing a major from the beginning may be better due to the fact not all colleges allow students to switch 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 enjoyed in high school.
Bear in mind that lessons you love are not always the ones you can easily get a high grade in, although if you love that lesson you will automatically push yourself to do your best. Should you truly like a class, you may find yourself feeling energized and curious while learning or going 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 to think of the clubs or activities that piqued your interest. Maybe you used to be a member of the creative writing club at your school, and you enjoyed attending the club activities.
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 all they have in what subject they do. You need to know what you would 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 university? You can also consider asking other people what your talents are and see what they think.
Are you constantly thinking about how the world's environment could be better? Do you collect something related to your interest? For instance, if you love reading and you have a sizeable collection of literary books ranging many different eras, then English and any other foreign literature majors may fit you. 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 something just because someone else says you should 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. Would you rather work in a team or by yourself? Whatever you choose will be right for you. 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 in keeping 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 implicate 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 you don't really care about will mean that you will have little enthusiasm, will learn less effectively, and be 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.
Wait for the right moment and don't rush!
This goes without saying, but you have the liberty to change your major in the middle of your studies. It may help you to gain a better insight regarding your passion as you try all the classes provided in your college. For some people, certain likings are prone to change. In some instances, choosing a major right away is not advisable. Therefore, you should take time to think about which major is right for you.
However, not all colleges permit the students to do this. Before doing so, ask the staff if you are allowed to explore classes and change majors before graduation. You can certainly try all the classes you are interested in or ask your fellow college students about their experiences in specific classes.
Consider a double major
This may not apply to all colleges, but you can try to double major if you have interest in more than one major. For instance, you may be majoring in English, but are also interested in studying Japanese. If your college has a double major system, you can consider majoring in both English and Japanese. Nevertheless, it is still advisable to ask as many questions as needed regarding double majoring in your college.
While studying two majors can be intriguing and challenging, you also need to take your ability to learn into account. Do not let the double major of your choice render you overwhelmed and depraved. Plan wisely, and remember that your life in college doesn't always revolve around studying. You can still explore anything that catches your interest outside college, be it looking for a part-time job or joining a club. You also need time to unwind yourself!
Once you know what to choose, start 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 college years more memorable is to be true to yourself about what you like and wish to study.