After high school, the most important decision you will ever make in your life is a course to study at the university. This is important because, it is a long-term decision that will affect every aspect of your life. In modern times, your college major will determine your happiness, overall life’s satisfaction, income, intellectual know-how and social prestige. Making the wrong decision at this point, can set up your life for a royal catastrophe. At this point in their life, students are more anxious, indecisive and afraid than ever before. This blog will help you eliminate some of the uncertainties that come with deciding on a major to study. Hopefully, by the end of it, you will have achieved some clarity. I’m going to be very realistic throughout this blog. I will outline some of the things many people often don’t consider as common problems that face students in their lives.
1. What are your grades?
Some may think that this is not the most important thing to consider in choosing a major in college; on the contrary, your grades are pretty important in helping you make a decision quickly and effectively. Most universities have specific requirements for various majors. If you don’t meet the threshold of a given course, this eliminates it from the list of the courses to consider, thus, making your decision-making a little bit lighter.
If, of course, you are very passionate about a course but don’t meet the requirement, you could seek other ways such as doing a diploma or bridging in related fields. Then you can apply for your desired course. For these kinds of students, there really isn’t much indecision, since their passion is very clear. This blog is for students who are uncertain of what course to pursue.
2. What is your budget?
Again, like the first one, this may not seem to be a deciding factor in choosing a college major, but it is definitely important. For most part of the world, there are no students’ loans. Your tuition will have to be paid by someone or yourself, and your budget will help determine which major to choose. If your budget is not a restraining factor, then the other tips that will follow will be helpful, but if it is restraining, you will have to consider it in your decision making.
Courses that are beyond your budget can simply be eliminated from the list of the courses that you want if there is absolutely no way to go about it. I understand that some people have strong passions and it can be really hard for them to come to terms with the fact that they are not going to do their childhood dream in college. That is really rough. But life can present itself in undesirable ways. The best thing is to let go and chose from the courses you can afford. Definitely easier said than done!
Go for the things that are in your control, consider the following:
3. What do you want to achieve with your major?
People have varying reasons for going to college.
One of the reasons is economical. People go to college to study a course that pays. This means that the market potential and job availability will be a deciding factor in choosing which major to take. For this one, it will always be different for everyone depending on where they live. But if at all your choices involve something in tech or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and you are interested in it, choose from these fields. They always have a high paying potential.
Another reason is academic. If you want to be in the academia, it is important you choose an academic course that you can be able to excel in. Courses like physics, neuroscience and psychology are highly academic courses with a lot of research going on in them. Being part of the scientific community in these courses can be a great luck for anyone.
Another reason might be community contribution. Many people choose certain courses so as to give back to their community. It is important you choose a course that will make a direct and the most impact in your community. Going into health sciences is one way to make a direct contribution to the community.
There are also other goals that are similar to the above. They can help make the decision of what college major to take a lot easier.
4. What are you interested in?
Now, this probably the hardest part for a student to decide. Many people don’t know their interests or have multiple interests among which they can think of nothing in particular to pick.
This is where you need to look back to your childhood. What is it that you have always gravitated to in your childhood? There is always a dominant passion that you can find. This will help you decide on your major. It is not the only deciding factor, but it can help.
5. What are you capable of?
People have different capabilities. Going into a career that will drain you is the last thing you want in your life. True, we suck at accurately assessing our strengths and weaknesses. But there are ways we could find out our true capabilities. Are you good at memorizing? Are you good an understanding abstract concept? Can you analyze structures and/or diagrams? All this and many more can be very useful when trying to decide whatever it is that you are planning to go to as a career.
If you are patient and good at memorizing, you can be a good match for medicine and other related courses because medicine requires you to be good at memorizing and also studying for long hours. If you are good at abstract concepts and imagination or analyzing complex data and structures, engineering will probably be good for you.
This also applies to social sciences. See what you can do with ease. It is important to note that even in a field where you think you are capable in, there are times when you will be tired, stress and sometimes feel dumb. But it will always be better than when you force yourself on a field that you are absolutely not good at.
6. How old are you?
This may sound awkward because we have been told that age is just a number, and that there is no limit as to when you can start learning. Nothing could be truer. But still, we should never pretend that age might be a factor in determining what major you should select.
For one, age comes with responsibility. At a certain age, you might have family and friends that rely on you or work that you make your money from. This is of course something that is different for everyone. Even at an age that might be considered old, some people still have time to study. So, with all the above tips considered, your age will be a factor depending on your goals for studying. For example, going to medical school at a certain age might not be good for you.
7. Seek Advice
Finally, it is important to seek advice while trying to choose a college major. Talk to someone you trust. A family member who is informed about education, a professional advisor, or anyone that will be able to guide you in the process of choosing your career.
While doing so, keep an open mind. Do your own research, which is what you are doing by coming here, and make the final decision yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my major?
Yes, you can change your major in college. However, the process and the requirements may vary depending on your school, your current major, and your new major. You should consult with your academic advisor, the department chair, and the college dean of your new major before making the switch. They can guide you through the steps and the paperwork that you need to complete.
What happens if I change my major?
If you change your major, you will have to follow the curriculum and the requirements of your new major. This may mean that you have to take some additional courses, prerequisites, or electives that you did not have to take before. You may also have to drop some courses that are not relevant to your new major. Some of the credits that you have already earned may not count toward your new major, or they may be transferred as general education credits. Changing your major may affect your academic progress, your financial aid, and your graduation plan.
When is it too late to change my major?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on your situation and your goals. However, experts generally advise that you should change your major as early as possible, preferably before your junior year. Changing your major in your junior or senior year may result in a significant delay in your graduation, as you may have to take more courses or semesters to complete your new major. You may also have to pay more tuition fees or lose some scholarships or grants that are based on your academic performance or your original major.
How do I know if I should change my major?
This is a personal decision that only you can make, based on your interests, skills, values, and aspirations. However, some signs that you may want to consider changing your major are: you are bored or unhappy with your current major, you feel that you are in the wrong program, you dread going to your classes or doing your assignments, you have a new career goal that is not aligned with your current major, or you are passionate about another major that you have learned about through your courses, internships, or extracurricular activities12. If you are unsure about changing your major, you can explore other majors by taking some lower-division courses, talking to professors and students in different departments, joining related clubs or organizations, or doing some online research.
Can I take two majors?
Yes, some colleges allow you to take two majors, either as a double major or a dual degree. A double major means that you complete the requirements for two majors within the same degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. A dual degree means that you earn two separate degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Engineering. Taking two majors can be beneficial if you want to broaden your knowledge, enhance your skills, or increase your career opportunities. However, taking two majors also has some drawbacks, such as a heavier workload, a longer time to graduate, a higher cost of education, or a lower GPA.
When is it not right to take two majors?
Taking two majors is not right for everyone, and it depends on your goals, abilities, and preferences. Some reasons why you may not want to take two majors are: you are not interested in or passionate about two majors, you are not willing or able to handle the extra work and stress, you are not able to balance your academic, personal, and professional life, you are not able to afford the additional expenses or financial aid implications, or you do not need two majors to achieve your career aspirations.
In summary, choosing your college major requires understanding your strengths and weaknesses, researching the trends in the market and the requirements of your major in college. You also need a professional or honest advice to make the decision. But like I said before, the final decision is yours. Wish you well in your adventure in higher education.
