Graduating from high school and moving into the real world can be a shocker for many. Taking the leap from school to college can teach you a thing or two about society as a whole, what it means to be a responsible adult and personal qualities about yourself. However, one of the hardest parts of moving from school to college is narrowing down a subject program. Choosing your major is an extremely difficult task. So stressful that some students often opt for a year off to clear their heads and think about what they want to do.
There are several ways to ensure that you choose a suitable college major for yourself. By the end of this article, you should have a general idea of how to pace yourself, plan your subject choices, and the whole role of introspection.
1. Visit a College Counselor
Not only are there a diverse range of educational choices at your disposal, but there is a multitude of colleges to choose from as well. All of them have a plethora of subject choices for you to choose from. Narrowing things down can be challenging because not only is there a diverse range of options spread out before you, but profound stress also engulfs your mind. This stress can affect decision-making and make the student feel rushed in their choices.
The solution to tone down the stress when choosing college majors might be to consult one or several college counselors. They play a massive role in helping students achieve their true potential. Each time more people have realized how important these professionals can be in helping students find their way. In fact, they’re so good at their job and they help so many people that it’s no surprise that the average college counselor salary ranges from 40-60k for entry-level positions.
2. Talk to Your Seniors/Alumni
The best way to get an in-depth idea about your potential subjects is to speak to people who are currently enrolled or have graduated from the program. Secondhand personal experiences can go a long way in shaping our opinions and helping us make decisions related to our careers. Talking to fellow students is often one of the best ways to go when it comes to college majors. They will give you insights relating to the subject matter, the prospects, and details about the program that could help you make your decision.
Human beings are complex creatures when it comes to decision-making and cognitive functioning. Sometimes we prefer biased/qualitative information accounts rather than facts and figures about the program. A fellow student talking about their positive or negative experiences is likely to significantly affect students than simply learning facts about the program from the college website.
Related: 6 Major Keys to Choosing the Right College
3. Think about Colleges
Sometimes the college itself may sway your choice of majors. When choosing a college major, it’s important to keep several factors about the university in mind as well. Is it a well reputable university? How far is it? What will be the annual fees? What is the faculty like? These are all very real questions to which you need answers. Your majors may vary from college to college. A cheaper college near home may have your secondary subject choice, but the one across the country may offer the subjects you are truly passionate about.
Choosing college majors is never as simple as narrowing down the subject on its own. The factors mentioned above can completely change how you see your program, and you may change your mind based on certain factors relating to the university.
4. What are You Passionate about?
A commonly asked question among college freshmen is, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years”? Most students don’t want to admit it, but many see themselves doing something that they have no passion for but brings good money. It’s a true tragedy if you continue to do something you don’t want to do and see it all the way through because you were afraid to take a risk.
If you are passionate about something and feel that you can succeed in it, go for it. If you have a passion for music, apply to Berklee or Julliard! It’s time to follow your dreams and started taking control of our lives. You can branch out, spread your wings and make the most of your college experience, and hopefully your career too.
Related: 20 Life Hacks for Every College Student
5. Take Your Time
One of the worst things you can do for your career is to rush yourself into something you aren’t ready for. It takes a lot out of a person to admit that they aren’t prepared and need time to analyze the options. People will most likely pressure you and try to convince you to start college, but stay strong and focused.
Taking time off can help clear the fog in your mind and help you realize what you want to do. Many people use this time to travel, meditate and do internships to help them narrow down what they want to do in the future. Perhaps you should do the same. Taking a year off won’t hurt you; it might do more good than you initially imagined. A year is usually enough time for people to think about what they want to do. If you don’t think you’re ready, take another year. Rushing doesn’t usually help.
Conclusion
After talking about a diverse range of ways to ensure you choose the right college major, we hope you have learned something from this article. It won’t hurt to apply any of these tips to your life, as they could greatly help set you on the right track and help you achieve your true potential. With that said, we hope that this has been helpful and that you found the guidance that you were looking for.
