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what if you don't know your major?
Very undecided #college
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Veronica’s Answer
In addition to the answers you’ve already received… Most schools have a program where you can go to school with an unspecified major. They usually ask that you narrow majors down within a year. While you’re going to school for that year, you take the general education courses that you’d need for any major/degree program so it doesn’t extend your time in school. Also, you’re allowed to take different courses that interest you and explore subjects so that you can find your passion. Any of these courses that aren’t useful to your major, once it’s decided, will be used as electives which all degrees need anyway.
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Josha’s Answer
To add to Mariah's great answer - take advantage of your general education courses. Most colleges require you to take a handful of classes from a variety of areas. These courses serve two main purposes. First, to help you get a well rounded education, where you can learn about a variety of topics not just laser focus on your major. And secondly, to help students find the right major. For example, one of my best friends thought he wanted to be a business major, so he took the first couple business classes while taking English classes to meet his general education requirements. He discovered you enjoyed the English classes much more than business and shifted his major to English.
I'd recommend you definitely take Mariah's advice above and think about your strengths or take tests to help isolate areas of interest, and then meet with an academic advisor to help you find classes that will meet your general education requirement AND help you explore potential majors.
The other piece of advice is think about life after college. Sometimes people have ideas of the job or career they want, but they don't know which major aligns with that job. So if you have an idea of the job or type of work you want, then start that and work back. For example, if you want to be a doctor, that takes medical school, but first you must get your bachelors degree before even applying to medical schools. Well if you want to be a doctor common majors would be biology or chemistry .
I'd recommend you definitely take Mariah's advice above and think about your strengths or take tests to help isolate areas of interest, and then meet with an academic advisor to help you find classes that will meet your general education requirement AND help you explore potential majors.
The other piece of advice is think about life after college. Sometimes people have ideas of the job or career they want, but they don't know which major aligns with that job. So if you have an idea of the job or type of work you want, then start that and work back. For example, if you want to be a doctor, that takes medical school, but first you must get your bachelors degree before even applying to medical schools. Well if you want to be a doctor common majors would be biology or chemistry .
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Mariah’s Answer
They say focus on your strengths! Think about the things you're really good at and then see if there is a career path that would best utilize those strengths. For example, I'm an extrovert and I'm super organized. I've settled into a career as a Project Manager. I get to interact and interface with people all day long and I get to keep projects organized. So I'm using the skills I'm good at and that brings me a lot of daily joy.
You can also talk to your high school guidance counselor. There are quizzes and tests that they can help point you in the right direction.
You can also talk to your high school guidance counselor. There are quizzes and tests that they can help point you in the right direction.
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Edie’s Answer
It hard to know what you want to do at a young age. I always looked on in amazement at those who knew exactly what they wanted to do. Don't be too hard on yourself. Take the general education classes that everyone needs to take and see if you get a clearer sense of your path. If you believe you are interested in a specific career, try to expose yourself to the area. Talk to people who do the work you think you would like to do. Use the college services to find internships in a potential field of interest.
At some point you will need to decide on a major and if you are still stuck, consider taking a break from school to search for answers. You don't want to squander money on studies that will not get you the degree you want. But take heart, that decision point does not come for a while. Most people figure it out.
At some point you will need to decide on a major and if you are still stuck, consider taking a break from school to search for answers. You don't want to squander money on studies that will not get you the degree you want. But take heart, that decision point does not come for a while. Most people figure it out.