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The Trials and Tribulations of Choosing a Major

By: Andrea Deignan
Staff Writer

Remember when you were a little kid and you said “I want to be a fireman” or “I’m going to be a superhero.” Well, we all grew up. We even made it to college, and now it is time to choose what we are destined to become.

A large handful of us are now facing a decision: what major do I choose?

It may feel strange to choose something you could be doing the rest of your life, but it really does not have to be that way. Especially in this economy, people change jobs everyday. Whatever happens, you can always go back to school or you can get training in another field.

When you decide your major, you should weigh in your strengths as well as your interests. Take a look through the undergraduate bulletin, which is available online. Once you’ve made a list of your top three majors, try and narrow it down to three.  Then, take a walk over to Kumble Hall to pick up the plan of study for the three majors.

As you are looking at these plans, go back to the undergraduate bulletin and see what the required classes will be like. If you can, talk to some people you know in the major, get their opinion on the classes and the major itself.

The one thing you should not do is to choose one major over another because the classes are too difficult. That being said, if you find all the classes will be too difficult then that major is obviously not for you. However, if you choose, for example, english over business for the sole reason that business requires you to take more math classes you may want to reconsider.

Once you have thoroughly researched your three favorite majors, list the pros and cons for each. This may help narrow down the reasons why you like or dislike each one.

At this point it would be beneficial to make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your pros and cons list. Along with discussing the majors, you can also discuss the classes you would take, and the career opportunities you’d have with a given major. Most advisors have years of experience helping students, and can probably give you some helpful pointers.

If you choose a major and find you don’t like it, don’t worry! You didn’t fail or waste your time. There are students everyday who realize their chosen major is not for them and they change their minds.  Should you decide to change your major, speak with an advisor and they will guide you in the right direction.

The most important thing to remember in this process, whether you are declaring a major or changing one is that the decision is all up to you. Do whatever you feel is in your best interest and will be most beneficial.


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