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What classes should I take in college if I am undecided ?
I am 18 years old and I start college in the Fall I do not know what I want to study and I have many interests such as Dance, Psychology, Nursing, Business, Photography. I am the type to change my mind a lot and I am not sure what I want to focus on. #college #business #college-major #major
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11 answers
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Michael’s Answer
That is a great question! You'll start by taking core classes before you get into your major, so you have the opportunity to explore different subject matters. Your academic advisor can also help guide you by taking your interests and suggesting academic paths to pursue. I would also recommend seeking out department heads during their office hours to discuss the possibility of pursuing a major in their discipline. It's not uncommon to be undecided!
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Brian’s Answer
I would agree with many of the previous replies. The one key point I would make is that I have had the privilege of working with many successful individuals who had majored in coursework that on the surface does not appear to relate at all their chosen career path. Your chosen major does not need to define you or limit your opportunities. Focus on making the most of your college experience.
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Samantha’s Answer
You can just take your generals until you figure out your major
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Valerie’s Answer
Everyone has give very great answers that I think will get you headed in the right direction. I highly recommend you take some very generic classes to begin with like your core sciences, math, English, history and government. While those may not be the most fun or exciting classes, you will get a feel for what college is like and how much you can handle on your plate. I would advise you to meet with some campus counselors to take a look at what their degree plans look like and see if the classes they are offering are of interest to you. I have made the mistake of taking specific classes for a certain degree and when I changed my mind, those credits went down the drain. Best of luck to you on your journey, you got this!
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Erik’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
Your first year of college (generally) allows you to take all your core classes that are required regardless of your major (math, language, English, etc.). There are then a class or two per semester where you can take an 'elective' course. These are courses that give you credit - but don't need to apply to a major. You can use these to explore your interests. For example, take a psychology course and marketing course and see if either is of interest (as examples). Always work with your designated counselor to ensure that classes you take will count toward graduation. You don't want to over pay for school by taking too many 'electives'.
Just remember, you don't have to have your career figured out when you enter college. Don't stress, college should be about personal growth.
Your first year of college (generally) allows you to take all your core classes that are required regardless of your major (math, language, English, etc.). There are then a class or two per semester where you can take an 'elective' course. These are courses that give you credit - but don't need to apply to a major. You can use these to explore your interests. For example, take a psychology course and marketing course and see if either is of interest (as examples). Always work with your designated counselor to ensure that classes you take will count toward graduation. You don't want to over pay for school by taking too many 'electives'.
Just remember, you don't have to have your career figured out when you enter college. Don't stress, college should be about personal growth.
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Marcin’s Answer
You can defer the decision on your major until before Senior year & apply to colleges “undeclared”. While that may seem like a relief from the pressure of a decision with potentially lasting consequences, it has some drawbacks. Not all colleges allow “undeclared” applications. After the initial general studies as “undeclared”, you may still be completely undecided what major to pick; or you may find out that the major that you would like to study the most is not offered at your college & will require a transfer—something that can prove costlier & much more complicated than if you had applied there in the first place. Some majors require time-consuming prerequisites that are very difficult to complete unless planned for early on—something that you & your academic counselor will not focus on while you’re “undeclared”, trying to get a feel for what you might like. Finally, since admission officers look for commitment & dedication from the applicants, they may perceive an “undeclared” application as lacking in these areas.
I wouldn’t worry too much about “getting it 100% right”. People change minds all the time throughout their lives: complete changes of career after many years spent in a particular field are more frequent than you’d think. Your interests seem quite diverse and as long as you pursue them with passion, you’ll come out ahead. If some seem to require more formal education than others, make them the subject of your major (e.g., psychology) while following the others as elective courses or extra-curricular activities (e.g., photography).
I wouldn’t worry too much about “getting it 100% right”. People change minds all the time throughout their lives: complete changes of career after many years spent in a particular field are more frequent than you’d think. Your interests seem quite diverse and as long as you pursue them with passion, you’ll come out ahead. If some seem to require more formal education than others, make them the subject of your major (e.g., psychology) while following the others as elective courses or extra-curricular activities (e.g., photography).
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Pedro’s Answer
Hi Samantha- The answers provided are VERY solid but I wanted to give you a different perspective. I'm 42 years old and still have NO IDEA what I want to be when i grow up. Sadly I've learned that we all don't just wake up one day and know exactly what we want to be. I am always envious of those people who seem to know exactly where they want to go professionally. All that said, I have been working in Tech now for 20 years and have been relatively successful (for me). So here is my advice- If after the first year you still don't know what you want to do , choose a field that can be leveraged for anything. Ex: Dont go to nursing school unless you are sure you want to be a nurse. That's a hard degree to change careers on. I was once you and I decided on a Business Degree. It's generic enough that you will be able to choose your path after college but also specific enough to open doors. I know I should tell you to follow your heart and find your passion etc but I'm just trying to be real with you based on my experiences.
GOOD LUCK!
GOOD LUCK!
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Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Samantha! Completely normal to be undecided as many students are! As a freshman you usually have a schedule that consist of general education classes- for me my first year was only one major class and everything else was gen. ed. I would suggest to take the general education classes, and also be involved with different clubs and activities and see where your interests lie. It may be difficult choosing one over the other, but it doesn't have to be either or. For example, if you decide nursing, you can still dance as a minor or even a hobby to be well-balanced. I was a Psychology major and was able to be a Chemistry minor in the end as well. There are many options- don't feel limited, you can always mix interests!
I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
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Rebecca’s Answer
Hi, you may need to make your decision since there is not a lot of time to finalize your major in the college. You may ask yourself what you have the most interest and are willing spend majority of your time for the time being. Choose that one for your major and the 2nd one that follows are your minor. You are the only one who knows the answer.
However, you may also have to think about what you wants to do, i.e. the career you want to do and what you want to do for your leisure time. Sometimes, you are interested on one subject but it does not imply that you also like to make it as your career in the future. Traditionally, we may work 8 hours everyday. You have to think about whether you want to do it 8 hours on that career daily.
Having said that, you can change your major if you find it is not suitable to you. But, you cannot change it frequently. You may lose your time in changing major.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
However, you may also have to think about what you wants to do, i.e. the career you want to do and what you want to do for your leisure time. Sometimes, you are interested on one subject but it does not imply that you also like to make it as your career in the future. Traditionally, we may work 8 hours everyday. You have to think about whether you want to do it 8 hours on that career daily.
Having said that, you can change your major if you find it is not suitable to you. But, you cannot change it frequently. You may lose your time in changing major.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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McKay’s Answer
I suggest just taking a little bit of everything your first year of college. Usually, you'll work to get your core classes out of the way from the get-go, but that can also help push you into the direction you think is right for you. Take some core classes, and add in other electives that interest you. Look into some career paths that you can potentially pursue from different majors offered as well. Ask your fellow classmates what they plan to major in and what they want to do with their major to get a sense if anything sticks out to you. If so, try some of those classes. Keep in mind that most college students switch their major at some point in their college career. You don't have to chose one and be set with it. I definitely switched mine up.
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brandon’s Answer
Hello Samantha, college can be a scary thought when you think you don't know what you are doing, but no one ever does. college is about learning what you want to do, have a clear mind of what you want to do, take some of your basics in the first semester and second and see what interest you, ask around and see what other people are doing and have them explain, the more you know about the major the easier it is to connect with it.