Michele
If you are a high school senior, the question you get immediately after “Which school are you going to?” is probably “What are you going to study?” It’s completely okay if you don’t know. It’s actually normal. Choosing your major is probably one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and it takes a lot of time and consideration to finally make your choice. Even when you choose, you might end up changing your mind down the road.
If you are already in college and haven’t decided on your major yet, that is completely normal too. So many opportunities, classes, and majors are at the tip of your fingertips. You have so many to choose from, and there are several things you need to do before making your decision.
To help you decide, here are 5 things to do if you haven’t declared your major yet!
1.) Make lists of your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses
The first thing you need to do is ask yourself: What do I like? What do I dislike? What am I good at? What do I need to work on? You need to evaluate yourself and determine which major or job you can do well at, as well as be interested in. Some people choose majors that will make them the most money, but end up hating it. That is why you need to have a genuine interest and passion for the subject you want to study.
2.) Look on your school’s website for majors they offer
Looking at a school’s website for a list of majors they have can give you an idea of what you may want to study. There are so many options, and maybe some you did not even know existed. Majors are often categorized by school or subject. For example, there are many majors that are listed under categories such as business, art, education, etc. By having a general idea of what you want to study, you can narrow it down to one specific subject.
3.) Research potential job positions
Do you have an idea of a job you want in the future? For example, if you want to work for a specific company, look on its website for job positions they offer that you are interested in. Read about it and find out which skills and qualifications you need to obtain that position. It might ask for a specific degree and major.
4.) Pick classes that can lead to deciding your major
Look on your school’s website for classes that you can take that seem interesting to you. You may really love it and want to take more classes like it, or decide it’s really not for you. This helps put things into perspective because you get to dive deep into the subject.
5.) Talk to upperclassmen in those majors
If you are interested in a certain major, talk to people who have taken the classes! They can tell you what to expect, how difficult the classes are, and what it’s like applying for jobs and internships. Who knows? You might even make some connections that can help you in the future.
No matter which major you choose, the most important thing is that you are happy. It is normal for students to be undeclared, and it’s also normal to change majors! I did! So don’t stress out. Enjoy your years in college, and good luck!
Have you picked your major yet? Make sure to let us know by tweeting us at @Fuzzable!
