What to Ask Yourself for Choosing a College Major
by Sarah M.
When beginning the college application process, some students may know exactly what they want to major in. Other students may have no idea at all, and still others may be confused or on the fence about which majors will be most helpful for them based on their interests. Regardless of which of those camps you fall into, here are some questions that can be helpful to ask yourself regarding your major.
- What do you want to do with your degree? This, again, is an area where some students may have a very clear idea early on, and many others do not. If you don’t know what you want to do after college there’s no need to be stressed – you do have time to figure it out.
But it’s still worth asking yourself: are there work environments that you feel more drawn to, like an office, a lab, or the outdoors? Are you an extrovert who loves to talk to people all day, or do you prefer more independent solo work? Do you imagine yourself as a leader in your eventual workplace, or would you rather leave the managing to others? These answers to these questions can give you clues about what kinds of classes and subject you may be drawn to: large lectures vs. more intimate seminars, hands-on lab courses, or applied training preparing you for a particular industry.
- Where do you excel? What kind of work makes you feel satisfied and fulfilled, and what kind of work is frustrating and difficult for you?
Past grades are of course one factor here, but don’t let that be your only consideration: early college is also a time when many students get to experiment with specialized subjects they’ve never taken before, so be sure to ask yourself if there’s anything you feel drawn to that you don’t yet know anything about. Looking at college course catalogs can be helpful here.
- What jobs are available? This is related to #1, but not entirely the same.
It’s one thing to know what field you want to work in, and another to be aware of what jobs are actually available, how difficult they are to get, whether they require specific undergraduate or post-graduate training, and what salary ranges are realistic. - Should you consider a double major, or a major and a minor? If you know what you’re interested in, but it doesn’t seem to fit neatly into one academic department, it may be worthwhile to consider you might combine multiple disciplines.
While these are all questions that you should be asking yourself before and during your college applications, don’t feel as if you need to have all the answers immediately. Colleges do not look down on those who apply undecided, and most colleges do not require you to declare a major until your sophomore year. The process of choosing a college major can be difficult and at times stressful, but it should also be exciting.
