Choosing a major is difficult, especially when you haven’t settled on something yet. You see people left and right choosing their majors with confidence and you start to panic. So, you decide on a major that may make a lot of money. It might not be something that you enjoy, but as long as “you can make a lot of money,” then everything works out, right? Majoring in something you don’t enjoy is not fun and it makes the school work harder and a lot more strenuous.
Most of the advice on getting a college degree centers around being able to obtain that job in the future. Students are often discouraged from chasing after abstract ideas, because they are deemed “unrealistic” in this society. Now, if you don’t have a subject that you are extremely passionate about, choose a practical major. but don’t choose something you hate, even if it makes a lot of money. Think about what it will be like in the future. By choosing a practical major, there are chances you can find a passion later in life, but you may also come to love what you majored in as well. In the meantime, by choosing something practical, you can increase the chances of getting a job that pays well.
If you do have a passion, pursue it. There are well-paid people in every field, so life is too short to pass up on such a great opportunity. Of course, there is another point to consider. There is a difference between hobbies and strengths. College takes up a lot of time and money. With that being said, don’t just choose a hobby that you enjoy sometimes. Everyone has hobbies. When you choose a major that you are passionate about, you have to also consider how it will turn out and look four years from now. When you choose a major you enjoy, there is also the account of it being one of your biggest strengths. There are competitive people in any and every field, so if you are purely only enjoying the subject you chose, you will get nowhere. Even if it is a major that you enjoy, you still have to try. College is not a joke. Don’t waste those four years of your life pursuing something you enjoy, thinking that it’s easy and yet not getting anywhere. Still try and do your best, even if you think it will be a piece of cake.
As for me, my first choice was Biology. It was something I enjoyed doing in high school and I had experiences in labs doing research. I thought it would be practical to me when I entered college. Biology either gives you a path to be pre-med student or a life of research, and trying to get your work published. Honestly, the only area I’m interested in is Anatomy, but that would still lead down the path to being a doctor most likely. After a semester, I decided that it was not my passion. I changed my major to English and my Asian parents were devastated. My mom came to terms with it, but there are still authorities in my life that look down upon my humanities major. It is something that I enjoy and I believe that it is a big strength of mine, which is why I chose it. It may not be as practical or secure as an engineering major, pre-med major, or business major, but this is something that I’m actually good at. Maybe the only thing I’m good at. This is the major that I want to continue with and see what other strengths I could gain.
So, choose something you like, or something that is practical and you will grow to like. Try your best, even if it’s easy and see where it leads you. Good luck!
