The combination of choosing a college and choosing a major can be really stressful. My first semester has taught me quite a few things I wish I had known earlier, so I'm writing them now in the hopes that they might help you. So here are 5 things I wish I had known before choosing my major:
1) You can change your mind.
I know the goal is to pick a major and stick with it all four years. But you will be introduced to a lot of new subjects in college; subjects you didn't even know that you loved. And if you find something that you're more passionate about than your chosen major, there is no shame in changing your goals.
2) Don't worry about other people's opinions.
People will naturally have more respect and admiration for careers in medicine, law, engineering, etc. And if those are things you really are passionate about, go for it! But your major should not be about impressing other people; it's about what you want to do during your life. The five seconds of admiration that you get is not worth majoring in something you're not passionate about.
3) You'll be best at the thing that you love.
Think of the best teacher you've ever had. I'm willing to bet that they loved teaching and they were probably passionate about the subject they taught. You give your best effort when you care about what you're doing, and this makes you stand out. In this competitive job market, your passion and the work you put into improving in your field are your greatest assets.
4) A major is not a life sentence.
Your major does not control you or what you do with your life. And again, while your goal might be to stick with one career path and stick to it, life changes constantly, and you are allowed to change with it. You are always allowed to go back to school and pursue a career that wasn't originally part of your plan.
5) Your major should bring out your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Sometimes we like the idea of a major more than we actually like the major. I loved the idea of being a doctor, but I did not love chemistry or math classes. Also I may have fainted quite a few times in biology, but that's a different story. The point is...if I had pursued a career in medicine, my education would be filled with courses I struggled with. Your classes should challenge you and compliment you. If your major makes you feel unsuccessful or unintelligent, it's probably not the right one for you.
It sounds cliche, but your major should bring out the best in you. And you know your passions and your strengths better than anyone else. The world needs people who love what they do. So pick a major that allows you to be the *insert name of your favorite teacher* of whatever you do.
