HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE MY COLLEGE MAJOR
Elton Lin
As the end of your high school career draws near, your preparations for your next level of education well underway, there looms the ever-present question: what should I major in? Maybe you have no idea what to major in, or maybe you’re torn between multiple interests. Choosing a college major as a high school student can get you stuck in a mess of indecision—so to clear the muck, here are the essentials to consider:
1. Judge your own capabilities. Yes, you’re going to college to learn, but if you’ve struggled painfully in the past in your anatomy and biology classes, then you might want to reconsider pursuing the path of a pre-med. There’s a difference between challenging yourself and tormenting yourself, after all. On the flip side, you should major in something that you’re good at. You don’t need to be a math prodigy or a psychology master, and you definitely shouldn’t feel obligated to major in something just because you earned your highest grade in that subject, but you should be relatively confident that you can handle the work that the major will require.
2. Own your choice. Parents usually have dreams for their children, whether that’s their own lost goals or their natural desire for their children to lead good, stable lifestyles. But for many students, prioritizing their wants and needs over those of their parents or family is simply impossible for them, no matter who’s paying the tuition. Different families have different dynamics. If that’s you, remember that you’ll be the one working for years to earn that degree. Try for a compromise, at the very least, and find a major that suits both your interests and those of your parents. If that family discussion doesn’t go well, then maybe opt for a double major or an additional minor. There will be more work, of course, but it’s good to pursue something enjoyable with at least some of your time and effort.
3. Gauge your interest. Even if you don’t have any outside pressure to choose a certain major, your own desire to have a good career or a certain reputation can skew your decision. While choosing a major simply because you love it can go awry, you should always make sure you’ll enjoy the major to a certain extent. The level of your interest in your chosen major will fuel your motivation through your studies in a way that simple duty or obligation will not!
If you’re not exactly sure what you’re interested in yet, then take the chance now to explore different studies. Research various fields, find extracurricular opportunities (like summer camps and internships) related to potential majors, and experiment! You never know what might catch your eye .
4. Think long-term; think contingency. Yes, you may not have the best idea for what you want to do yet, but it’s good to keep any long term goals in mind. What kind of careers can you pursue with the majors you’re considering? What kind of future lifestyle are you aiming for? If you’re seriously considering a few majors, and one is tough to get into or has requirements that’d be hard to fulfill if started late (for example, engineering), you might want to choose that one first—it’ll be easier to leave that major for another one than to try to change into that major down the road. It’s helpful to plan ahead, both for your long-term goals and just in case your first choice falls through.
5. Feel free to change your mind. While you should definitely make your choice of college major carefully and seriously, don’t torment yourself over the idea that your decision is your final decision. In fact, colleges know full well that their students are likely to change their minds—33% of undergraduates in four-year colleges changed their major in the nationwide Class of 2015. The world is constantly in flux;, various factors, from personal interests to employment options, will change even during your four years. View your major as an opportunity to expand your intellectual horizons and critical thinking skills, not anchoring you to a particular career or field.
College is a place of learning, but it’s also a hub of experience, change, and growth. Consider your choice of college major not as a set road that will take you to a single destination, but rather as a flexible experience that you can take advantage of and learn from, whether or not it’s a temporary choice.