How to Choose a Major

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Choosing a major is an important decision and one that could pave the way for a successful, lifelong career. Some students know what they want to major in right away, while others take their sweet time to choose. Either way, don’t fret if you don’t know what you want to major in yet. Most colleges give you until the end of your sophomore year to declare a major, so you have plenty of time to weigh your options and make an educated decision. Here are a few tips on how to choose a major:

  • Know Your Strengths: It’s important to know your strengths before choosing a major because it can help you narrow down your options and find an area of study that suits you well. If you’re not certain what your strengths are, talk to your advisor and a career counselor to assess your strengths and apply them to a major. It’s also important to know your limits. Just because you’re good at science doesn’t necessarily mean you’re prepared for advanced biology and chemistry classes, or weekly three-hour labs spent dissecting animals. All students have to make sacrifices for school every now and then, but no major should keep you from enjoying your undergraduate college experience. So if you think a major could be too much to handle, you may want to steer clear of it.
  • Talk to Upperclassmen: Upperclassmen have been in your shoes and know how nerve-racking it can be to choose a major. They won’t sugarcoat things, either. They can give you first-hand accounts of taking advanced courses and how to avoid switching majors halfway through college. Talking to upperclassmen about their majors will give you a better understanding of what each program entails and what to expect. They can also give you a heads up on which classes you should take, the best professors in the college and guaranteed ways to get an A.
  • Follow your Heart: It may sound cheesy, but you have to follow your heart when choosing a major. Regardless of what your parents, friends or advisors tell you, choosing a major is your decision and you should do what you love. Students may feel pressured to choose a major based on career salaries, job outlook and prestige, but it’s far more important that you follow your passion before you follow the money. If you’re stuck studying something you hate, chances are you won’t do very well in your classes and you may end up never using your degree.

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