When it comes time to apply for college, many students face the same dreaded task- picking a major.
For some, this comes easy. They may have chosen their school specifically because of a degree program, or they may have just decided college is the right path for them and now it's just a matter of choosing what they love. But for others, this can be a rather daunting task.
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How do I pick one career for the rest of my life? What if I choose the wrong major? What if I hate my major after a few months?
Don't fret, all of these questions can be answered! Here's an easy checklist for not only picking a major, but for making sure you're in the right one once you've chosen.
If you haven't picked a major yet:
1. What job/career do I intend to have one day?
I truly believe there's no point in spending the tens of thousands of dollars it costs to go to college if you don't have any semblance of what you'd like to do. With that being said, it can be tricky to narrow it down to one specific job, so think in broader terms, like a field (computer, health, media, business), and from there you can narrow it down.
2. Does this major help me reach it?
There's no point in going to medical school to be a news reporter, right? Once you've narrowed down the field of study, pinpointing a major shouldn't be too hard.
3. If you're worried about being in one field forever: Does this major open up doors in a lot of different career fields for me?
If you're having commitment issues over picking one career forever, try choosing a major that's related but opens you up to many opportunities within that field. Many people who graduate work in fields related to their degrees. A degree should never limit your opportunities!
4. Am I willing to go through all of the (no offense) stupid basic-level prerequisites to get to the classes I'll actually enjoy?
Of the 120 credits I am required to take before I graduate from college, about 60 of them are what I would consider "fluff" courses. These are courses like precalculus, biology, psychology, etc. For people in math, science, or psychology majors, there are obviously other "fluff" courses, but as a journalism major, precalculus won't exactly benefit me. Your college most likely wants you to have a well-rounded education, so these classes aren't optional. The problem with a lot of students is that they spend their first two years taking "fluff" courses and judge their major based on that- you have to be willing to do the work for those classes before you can get to your upper-level classes that are geared more toward your major. If you're not looking forward to your upper-level classes, these "fluff" classes will probably seem overly grueling to you.
5. Will I be inspired here?
I know it's cheesy, but going to college and getting a degree is not just for people who want to wear suits for the rest of their lives and sign their souls away to mega-corporations. Creativity and inspirationthrives on college campuses because of the diversity and amount of ideas flowing. Your major should never stunt your creative growth, it should only teach you how to mold and use it for your career field. If you don't think your major will push you to think out of the box and encourage you to learn something every day, it's not right.
If you're not sure that you're in the right major:
1. Is it because I doubt my skill or intelligence level? Do I just need more faith in myself?
Every student goes through periods of feeling overwhelmed, and I know many- myself included- wonder if they're simply incapable of doing well in the field they've chosen. The first thing you have to do when you start to question your major is ask yourself if it's because you don't think you can do it or if you truly don't enjoy it. If you find yourself making excuses about why you can't meet expectations, you have to decide if you're going to give up because it's hard or if you're going to choose a different major (that's probably equally as difficult).
2. If this isn't the major for me, what do I see myself enjoying more?
Surprise! Sometimes you don't always pick the right major for you right off the bat. Sometimes it can take a few months or even a few semesters to realize it's not you, it's the degree. In that case, you'll probably have to make a few quick decisions about where to head next. I find that most people who have started to question their major already know what they want to switch to because they think, "man, I'd rather be doing ______." That should be your first indication of where to go next!
3. What is it about this major that is dissatisfying to me?
This is how you decide which new path to set your sights on. What is it about your current major you don't like? Is it the professors? The amount of work? Are you not hands-on enough? Do you feel like it's limiting you? All of these questions can be used to help you decide which direction fits you. The solution will be finding a degree or program that is the opposite of what you don't like.
4. Am I feeling doubtful because my family/friends/significant other expressed doubts about my choice?
It can be hard to push doubt out of your mind once someone has put it in, but don't allow the people around you to convince you that what you've chosen to do isn't worth it. As a journalism major, I have plenty of friends who really just want to be writers, but their families and society told them that's a one in a million chance. There's no point in writing novels if you can't get on the best sellers list right? WRONG. Doing what you love is so important and if you enjoy it then it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, as long as you're confident in the fact that your career will sustain you in the ways that you need.
5. Is college right for me at all?
This can be tricky because I think society still believes you have to go to college to be successful unless you decide to work in the entertainment industry. But there are SO many jobs in the world that don't require degrees and are much more preferable for some people's personalities. Forcing yourself to go to college, spending thousands a year, it isn't worth it if it doesn't click. There's absolutely no shame in choosing a trade or skill to make a career out of- hell, mommy-bloggers make more money than most journalists fresh out of college. So ask yourself if it's the major, or if it's simply the education system.
All in all, whatever you choose, your life will only be as satisfactory and fulfilling as you make it. I know it feels like the whole world is on your shoulders and one wrong move will screw you up permanently somehow, but every situation is redeemable and you will come out on top.
