It's not easy to decide on a college major, whether you're drawn to several options or you have no idea.You don't have to declare right away.The best way to understand your options is to look at them.Don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way, learn about the majors available to you, and tune in to your dreams.Continue reading for more advice.
Step 1: Do your homework.
You will need to know your options if you are going to choose a college major.Inform yourself about the majors that you might be interested in.It sounds like every major is interesting.Read about how people got jobs.You can explore forums and university websites.Common majors and what people do with them are things to research if you aren't at college yet.You should look for colleges that have strong programs in those fields once you have a few solid choices.If you don't want to transfer, look at the available majors on your university website.
Step 2: Ask for help.
Ask your teachers about careers, majors, and the college industry.It's important to speak with people you know well: your friends, parents, and relatives.These people can give you valuable advice about your strengths and weaknesses.Don't choose a major just because someone tells you to, and make sure that you take every suggestion with a grain of salt.Speak with people who have completed their degrees.Ask for their perspective.Find out what they might do differently.Advisers from your college should be talking to you.There is a lot of information on the internet about different majors.It's best to speak to a professional adviser.They can answer questions about any department you're considering joining.
Step 3: How long do you have to declare a major?
This is different from college to college.You have to decide upon a major by the time you enroll in your first class.You can be given one year, two years or more to declare at other schools.If you aren't sure, try to take your time.If you have the freedom to explore, try out a wide variety of courses and majors that interest you.
Step 4: Consider if you're ready for college.
College can be very expensive if you don't have a goal or major in mind.Before committing to a four-year degree, consider taking a gap year, working full-time, or fulfilling general education requirements at a community college.You can save money and travel the world, volunteer or work abroad, audit classes for free, or attend school part-time; you can try to join the workforce in a field that sounds interesting, then use that experience to inform your college major decision.Do it your way.You don't have to go to college right away because a lot of other people are doing it.If you are being shepherded into this, consider it.Do you know what you want to do in college?Is it your choice or your parents' choice?
Step 5: Trust your gut.
Some majors jump out at you from the start.The first thing to do is explore what it might mean to pursue those degrees.It's natural for someone who loves to write to go for a creative writing degree or another humanities degree.If you like to solve problems, then you might be drawn to engineering or the sciences.Think about what you already love to do.You may find your calling in a major that you initially reject.If you take an introductory econ class you will discover your love for economics.Keep an open mind, but trust your gut.It can be difficult to trust your gut when you are drawn to many different majors.Can you see yourself majoring in biology, music, or computer science?You can always mix majors and minor.If you are up to the challenge, you can choose a double major.
Step 6: Think about your purpose.
Do you want to be in five years?Think about the kind of life you want to live.What matters to you?Maybe you want to make a lot of money, fight climate change, write a novel, work with numbers, or change the world.It doesn't hurt to start thinking about this, even though you may not have a lot of concrete answers.You can research the job market.If you want to find a job quickly after graduation, it's important to know which jobs are in high demand.Use this knowledge to your advantage.
Step 7: There are audit classes.
Enrolling in a class without taking a grade or credit is called "auditing".Even if you don't finish high school or are not in school at all, visit a university and take a few courses that sound interesting.In the "courses" or "undergraduate programs" section of the website, you can find specific classes.Email the instructor and ask about auditing.If you stay engaged and don't disrupt the professor, you can sit in on a class for free.The instructor's name and contact information should be listed on the website.You can run a web search for the professor if you can't find the contact information on the department website.If a school has a lot of people in one room, you don't need to reach out to the professor.Accompany a friend to a big lecture, or just attend with the crowd.This is a great way to feel out a course.
Step 8: Don't be a major.
Most colleges have a deadline by which you must choose a major.It could be one year, two years or more.It's a good idea to choose a major that you like.The act of declaring a focus makes it easier to see what you want and don't want.You will have a better idea of what it means to pursue a degree once you've spent a semester taking classes.Pick something that makes you want to do it.Don't just pick a major based on the catalog.Give it a try and be honest with yourself.
Step 9: It is possible that this decision is not final.
You have given yourself a path for moving forward in college if you choose a major.You haven't locked yourself into anything.People change their majors several times.Some people go back for a second degree.Keep perspective.
Step 10: Keep your eyes open.
You can always change course.You can switch to something more fulfilling if you don't like the major you pick.You can always transfer to another school if your college doesn't offer the major you want.There is always a way out.Even if you aren't 100 percent certain, you can still get into a major that interests you.It's easy to switch majors.The English degree path may overlap with the Comparative Literature path.There are a lot of similarities between the Environmental Science track and the Biology track.The general education requirements within a university are usually the same.Many introductory classes for the mechanical engineering track apply to other tracks within the engineering department.The same introductory science courses are required for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics degree paths.
Step 11: Your major should be changed.
College degrees give you plenty of room to define your own focus and organize classes under broad themes.The concentration should be within the major.If you can handle the workload, add a double major.Give a minor or two.You have an outlet for your other interests.Don't be afraid to make your own path with a degree.