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How to find majors?
I enjoy challenges but i’m not sure what I want to study in college. What should I do to narrow down the fields/areas of study
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4 answers
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Ryan’s Answer
Evan,
The best advice I could offer is to take your first year or two in college to enroll in a variety of subjects. Most colleges allow you to enroll in their college with an undeclared major. This gives you the opportunity to build your own curriculum and try out different courses to get an understanding of what topics interest you the most. Another suggestion is to talk to your peers. See if you can gain some valuable insight on the major and why they are studying and pursuing a major you might be interested in. You might discover aspects of the major that you were not aware of previously that may interest you or push you away from the major.
The best advice I could offer is to take your first year or two in college to enroll in a variety of subjects. Most colleges allow you to enroll in their college with an undeclared major. This gives you the opportunity to build your own curriculum and try out different courses to get an understanding of what topics interest you the most. Another suggestion is to talk to your peers. See if you can gain some valuable insight on the major and why they are studying and pursuing a major you might be interested in. You might discover aspects of the major that you were not aware of previously that may interest you or push you away from the major.
Updated
Mia’s Answer
Hi Evan! I struggled with choosing a major myself, and honestly I still want to go back to school and pursue another degree. I would trust your gut and find a major that revolve around a subject you really enjoy or excel at. I know some professionals may tell you to not follow your passion, but sometimes that’s the BEST way to find out what you’re interested in. If you excel or enjoy math a lot, maybe a STEM field is more your thing. For me, I really enjoyed my government and English courses in high school, so I majored in political science and journalism in college. I enjoyed the college coursework a lot with my degree because I have a passion for those things! Also don’t be afraid to be undeclared! Sometimes going into college undeclared gives you more free rein to take a bunch of general education classes across many topics and disciplines to help you decide what you like or don’t! It’s also okay to change your major multiple times to figure out what you enjoy and navigate the college world. I also took hundreds of career tests or “what should I major in” quizzes online! There’s many free options, just check some out, take them and see what they say. Good luck and I hope you find something to study that you enjoy!
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi Evan,
Finding the right major can be a challenging yet exciting process. Here are some steps to help you narrow down your fields or areas of study:
Interests: Consider what subjects or activities you enjoy most. Think about your hobbies, classes, and topics that naturally capture your attention.
Strengths: Identify your skills and strengths. What are you good at? Which subjects do you excel in?
Values: Reflect on your values and what you want out of a career. Do you prioritize helping others, earning a high salary, or having work-life balance?
Explore College Catalogs: Look at the course catalogs of colleges you're interested in. Read the descriptions of different majors and courses.
Online Resources: Use websites like the College Board’s BigFuture, MyMajors, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook to research different fields and career paths.
Career Assessments: Take online career assessments or aptitude tests to get suggestions based on your interests and strengths.
Academic Advisors: Speak with your school’s academic advisors or career counselors. They can provide guidance and resources.
Professionals: Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields you’re considering. Ask them about their job, career path, and advice for students.
Teachers and Mentors: Discuss your interests and options with teachers, mentors, and family members who know you well.
Keep an open and curious mind, and good luck on your journey!
Finding the right major can be a challenging yet exciting process. Here are some steps to help you narrow down your fields or areas of study:
Interests: Consider what subjects or activities you enjoy most. Think about your hobbies, classes, and topics that naturally capture your attention.
Strengths: Identify your skills and strengths. What are you good at? Which subjects do you excel in?
Values: Reflect on your values and what you want out of a career. Do you prioritize helping others, earning a high salary, or having work-life balance?
Explore College Catalogs: Look at the course catalogs of colleges you're interested in. Read the descriptions of different majors and courses.
Online Resources: Use websites like the College Board’s BigFuture, MyMajors, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook to research different fields and career paths.
Career Assessments: Take online career assessments or aptitude tests to get suggestions based on your interests and strengths.
Academic Advisors: Speak with your school’s academic advisors or career counselors. They can provide guidance and resources.
Professionals: Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields you’re considering. Ask them about their job, career path, and advice for students.
Teachers and Mentors: Discuss your interests and options with teachers, mentors, and family members who know you well.
Keep an open and curious mind, and good luck on your journey!
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Hi Evan! This is a great question that I think many people wonder about. I personally followed a path based on classes that most interested me in high school. I personally enjoyed math classes, so I was looking for a major that could incorporate math while also allowing me to socialize and interact with people as I'm very extroverted. I personally would advise that you try as many different activities/extracurriculars as possible as well. I joined various clubs and organizations which helped me learn about what I like and what I don't like. I also would recommend reaching out to people and learning about a career path that you may be interested in. I think there's a lot of great advice from people who have graduated college, but consider alternative majors looking back. I also think that applying for internships and part-time jobs can help with making such decisions. I will also say that picking a major isn't the only time you can make the decision. Many students enter college undecided, opting to select a major after sampling a few introductory courses to identify their passions. I think there is a lot of great advice from various people here and there's no right or wrong choice so try to find a major that aligns with a career for you and brings you genuine happiness.