Choosing a major in college
Have you started applying for colleges and universities? Then you must be choosing which major to study for the next four years of your life. C hoosing your major in college is both exhilarating and scary at the same time. Firstly, you must feel lucky since not everyone has the privilege to go to college, especially now that only few can afford a college education on their own. But, surely, you are also overwhelmed by the number of choices available, including the option to study in a trade school . What some high school students forget is that there are many different avenues to success—it is not only doctors, lawyers, and accountants who become successful. The transition time between high school and college is a crucial time in a student's life. They have to make a decision that will decide their future. This is a heavy decision to make for a teenager.
Resources
What do I want to major in in college? With enough resources, an incoming college student should be able to choose his major by considering only what career they want to pursue. But of course, it has to be considered that the word “enough,” when referring to tuition fee, is relative. It could mean enough for a course in Literature but not enough to afford Preparatory in Medicine. For those who do not have financial flexibility, one feasible option is to apply for a scholarship (if you are, you better work on your scholarship essay now ). Be aware of scholarships being offered by your target schools, as well as by other organizations. This path is not the easiest, since scholars go through strict screening and are eventually required to maintain a high GPA. No wonder everyone knows someone who has taken this path and found success. If a student is driven enough to pursue his passion, no obstacle can stop them.
Passion
Passion is the most romanticized factor in modern society when choosing a career path. There are countless movies about young people going against the odds just to pursue their passions. But what does it really mean to pursue one's passion? Artists, actors, musicians—these are the most instantly recognizable examples of individuals who followed their passion. These people often claim to have known what they want to do with their life early on, so choosing a major in college was quite easy. If you are one of these people, and you have continuously nurtured your passion from childhood or adolescence to the present, then there is no reason for you to fear following your passion. However, if you are one of those who have multiple passions, you may consider taking a double major in college. How many times have we met someone who double majored Psychology and education and enjoys his job both as a psychologist and an educator? Nowadays, choice is not linear. So, even if you have always been passionate about one thing, do not be close to the possibility that this may change in the middle of college or after graduation. You do not need to force yourself into one path just because you feel it is what you should be doing. Similarly, do not feel pressured to believe that you must only major in what you are passionate about. This time in your life is a time for exploration, for finding your own career path.
Practicality
Before committing yourself to a major, you must be aware of the future profession's current state. For instance, if one wishes to major in Nursing or Physical Therapy, they have to consider the career opportunities and the demand for either profession. If research says that nurses are at a surplus and there is a demand for physical therapists, then taking up Physical Therapy would be the best option. Practicality is the consideration of the combined factors of passion, resources, and opportunity for growth. If these factors are carefully considered before taking college entrance examinations, chances are high for success, fulfillment, and growth – personal, professional, emotional. Following this does not necessarily guarantee perfect success, but it would help overcome any potential obstacles.
Choosing Your College Major: Things to Avoid
Do not make income the top priority. The world is not about money, and that goes the same for your choice of major. Income is an integral part of your career, yes, so if you must, choose to major in something marketable. Keep in mind that your career will consume 40 hours of your life every single week the moment you begin working. Should you be dedicating those 40 hours of work solely for money? We hope not.
Do not let your mentors influence you too much. Your parents, counselors, and teachers have chosen their own paths. Along their journey, they have missed opportunities, encountered technologies vastly different from what you know now, as well as effort that they chose not to exert. If you wish to do something, do not let someone else’s opinion pull you away from it. Consider their words, yes, but choosing your college major should be your own decision. Start a research process, and analyze possible outcomes on your own.
Do not follow your friends. Keep in mind that you are different. Your interests are different, your level of drive and motivation are different, and your relationship networks vary. While your friendship may be important now, remember that the college environment is vastly opportunity-rich. The differences will become more pronounced as time passes, meaning that you will eventually drift away from some of them. Choosing a college major for friendship, then, is highly discouraged.
Do not follow a romanticized perception of the college major. It is perfectly fine to be inspired by your long list of favorite movies to watch , video games, and even motivational books. However, it is integral that you understand that what you consume from the media does not necessarily reflect in the real world. You are not going to be your favorite character. And more painstakingly true, life is not a movie scene. You may be inspired to take up Computer Engineering as a college major because of the Matrix, as Tank looked so cool hacking a computer console for merely ten minutes of screen time. In the real world, becoming a programmer means you will be doing it for 40 hours a week.
Do not simply choose your “passion”. Balance is necessary when choosing a college major. You will want to pick out something that interests you, but make sure that you will not get bored of it as your college major progresses. Remember: your hobby is not meant to be a priority. When you choose a college major based on your hobby, it means that you are building your life around it. As such, it may end up losing its appeal, and whatever positivity you get from it will be gone. Looking for ways to stay motivated will not cut it, either. However, choosing a college major based on your passion means the willingness to do what you love despite all the work and sacrifices that will be dedicated to it. As you evaluate and choose your college major, think about how a specific field may make you feel once you finally finish college.
What if you cannot decide on a college major?
Know that it is perfectly okay to enter college in an undecided college major. You do not need to pressure yourself into figuring out what you should major in, much less what you want to do for the rest of your life. As you search for your college major, keep in mind that it is a process. Entering college with this in mind can actually help you decide, as you will be able to take classes you might end up enjoying. From there, answers will come.
Considering volunteering or applying for internships. As you decide on your college major, consider internships and volunteer work, as these are the best ways to get hands-on experience on a college major at play in the actual field. Here, you will be able to gather the everyday realities of a profession, as well as be exposed to professionals.
Attend local college events and college visits. Doing so allows you to become exposed to various experiences and perceptions. Usually, colleges have open houses where department representatives can answer any questions a potential student may have. Their students will also be able to offer you more information about the college major, as well as first-hand class experiences.
Will I be able to change my college major?
The answer is yes - you have all the right to change your college major in between your journey. In fact, studies show that most students change their college majors at least once, while others, still, switch college majors several times. No matter where you may be at in your college journey, your college major may end up feeling the wrong choice. It is a huge decision, but you know yourself better than anyone else out there. Choosing your college major should also mean securing your happiness, and one that aligns perfectly with your priorities and your life after college.
Essay writing help for college students
You have to be wary and cautious when it comes to choosing your major in college because it will affect your life in the long run. You will need to take in expert advice and opinions from friends and family about how they decided on their own majors. Overall, college is thorough, systematic, and challenging. Help is always needed for you to learn and grow, accordingly. If you are sorting things out in your life, CustomEssayMeister can write your academic papers for you. Conversely, if you are pursuing your passion outside the academe but do not want to compromise your grades, well, you know who to turn to.