As a person, you probably have many interests, so narrowing those down to pick one thing to study for four years or more can be daunting. Luckily, there are ways to ensure that you pick the best major for you.
#1: Assess Your Interests and Strengths
As mentioned previously, choosing a major comes down to what you are passionate about and what you are good at. Making a list of these things can help you figure out what you possibly want to major in. Online quizzes can also be helpful if you are unsure.
#2: Explore the Reality of Your Major
Do not just take a major’s name at face value. Make sure to look into the core courses necessary to receive a degree in this major and if you are interested in those; these can be found on your school’s course catalog website. Another good way to see how your major looks is to watch “day in the life” videos or ask upperclassmen; their advice could be helpful in seeing the workload of the major as that does not usually vary by school.
#3: Consider Your End Goals and Lifestyle
While it may be scary to think about so soon, having a job or general fields that you are interested in can help you when picking a major. For example, if you are interested in going into the medical field, biology can be a possible major for you or you can be on a general pre-med track. Some majors are more specific to certain careers such as nursing and engineering, while others are broader and allow for diverse career paths such as economics and English.
Another great thing is that, at most colleges, you do not have to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year. This is beneficial because it allows you to find new interests or further explore your current ones without the pressure of having to focus on a particular one.
Overall, picking a major can be difficult, but with the right mindset, you can choose the one that best aligns with your interests and will make your time at college the most productive!
Author: Natalia Okitukunda, Media Department Member
