How to Pick a College Major
Do you dread answering the question “what are you studying in college?” In the weeks around high school graduation, you’re likely being bombarded with questions about what you are studying at college. You may feel pressure to come up with some sort of answer. Don’t.
Struggling with picking a college major is normal. Most high school graduates don’t feel a strong “calling” or instinctively know what they want to do “for the rest of their lives.” (Many college students struggle with a career path, even after completing years toward a college degree.)
The reality is your major can impact your future but doesn’t determine your destiny. Approach choosing your major carefully with the full understanding that you may change majors at some point (and that’s ok).
So how do you decide what to study in college? How do you choose a major? Below are four questions to help you pick your college major.
What skills do you currently have?
If you struggle being critical of your skills, this may be a difficult question to answer. However, if you take some time to sit and think, you probably have a general idea of your top skills.
Your best skills may be ones which you have developed over years of practice and study. Your best skills may be ones which come naturally but have also grown after dedicating time to developing them more.
If you’re struggling to come up with a list of two to five skills, consider asking a parent, a friend, or a teacher. These people likely see you better than you see yourself. They can help you come up with some ideas.
What experience do you currently have?
Have you worked a part-time job? Have you volunteered your time? Have you shadowed some professionals? Have you studied an area independent of school? If so, you have valuable experience that can help you choose a major.
In an effort to help you choose a major, a parent or a teacher may have asked you “what do you love doing?” But this question doesn’t really help you pick your major. (In fact, it may leave you more confused.)
A question that better helps you pick your major is “what experience have you had that you enjoyed doing?” This question won’t automatically cause a mental lightbulb to appear, but it does guide you in the right direction.
If you haven’t worked part-time jobs, volunteered time, shadowed a professional, or conducted some independent study, you may feel out of luck. You’re not.
During this summer before college, get some experience. Try to find places to work, volunteer, or shadow. Your parents or high school likely has information and connections that can help you get some hands-on experience before selecting a four-year degree.
What are your natural abilities?
There are some areas in which you naturally have ability. In other words, you’re naturally talented at _____________. These areas can be general like working with kids, but these areas may be more specific like a particular type of advanced mathematics.
Pay special attention to these abilities. While they won’t necessarily open the door to the perfect major, they can be a valuable tool to help guide you.
Most colleges (and high schools) provide career aptitude tests. These tests can help you identify areas in which you are naturally skilled, and they can guide you toward a college major that will grow these skills even more.
What energizes you?
This may seem like a weird question, but it can be incredibly helpful. What tasks make you feel like you’re coming alive? These tasks provide you with a boost of energy and enthusiasm.
If you’re struggling to come up with an answer, start instead with the opposite question: “what drains you?” What tasks leave you feeling exhausted and spent? These tasks make you feel like you need a long nap and possibly some time alone.
This information can help you identify areas that you naturally enjoy. (Notice I didn’t say “love.” Read this post to learn why I said “enjoy.”) While all tasks eventually tire you, the tasks that energize you are less likely to drain you.
You certainly don’t want to spend years studying something that you don’t enjoy, so carefully identify areas that you enjoy. Ask a friend or a parent if you need help identifying these areas.
You may switch majors or wait to declare a major until your second year of college. That’s fine. Any major you pick will require lots of hard work and sacrifice. However, choosing a good-fit major for you can help prepare you for a meaningful and rewarding career, so choose wisely!
