It took me over a year to pick my college major, so I know what a tough decision it can be. It’s not an easy decision to make, but I learned in my own decision process that a lot of us make it a bigger deal than it needs to be. If you’re currently stressing out over picking a college major, consult these tips and the process will instantly become so much easier for you!
When it’s time to pick a major, it’s easy for your mind to immediately go into panic mode. Before you let yourself get to that place, take a step back. Relax. Take a few deep breaths. Avoiding the panic stage will help you come to a decision so much faster because you’ll be in a better state of mind!
A lot of colleges ask you to pick your major during the application process. That can be especially stressful, because your senior year is pretty stressful in the first place. You’re beginning your senior year of high school, dealing with the responsibilities that come along with that, you’re applying to colleges, and some are asking you to pick your major! That’s a lot at once, so if you can, take some time to dedicate to thinking about your major. Don’t just pick out any random major just to apply to colleges. Think about it rather than make an impulse decision!
Of course, you don’t want to pick a major that’s not going to help you find a career in the future. On the other hand, though, don’t just pick your major because you’ll make a lot of money in the future. Pick a major that’s practical but it’s something you love. Don’t go into pre-med if you love writing. There’s always a balance that you can find!
If you’re completely lost when it comes to what you should major in, think about some of your favorite hobbies and passions. Look back at your life thus far. If you’ve always really gravitated towards something, find a way to turn it into a major. Obviously you’ve loved it for so long for a reason!
I changed my major a lot during the first year of college. A lot of people do! However, that’s an easy way to spend a lot of money on classes you don’t need. To avoid spending money you don’t need, don’t jump into your major every time you change it. Instead, stick to your general education classes and take classes that are pretty general or would work for a variety of majors but are in your major. Once you’re in that class, you’ll know whether or not you should be in that major.
One of the biggest shortcomings of college students is that they worry about their majors and not their careers. Don’t just focus on just the major, because it could lead to your eventual career.
It’s so easy to stress out about all of this. When I was picking my major, I was so overwhelmed that whatever I would pick would be what I’d spend the next three years studying. It’s all very overwhelming. I was so surprised, though, when taking classes for my major wasn’t nearly as much or as overwhelming as I thought it was. Don’t spend too much time worrying, because chances are it’s not nearly as big of a deal as you’re making it out to be!
What are your tips for picking a college major? Are you going through that right now? Let me know in the comments!