You’re almost done filling out the Common App. You’ve written your essays, added colleges to your list, and entered all of the seemingly pointless family information. Frankly, you’re just ready to be finished with this whole ordeal.

Reading it over one last time, you come across an information slot you left blank. It’s the dreaded question you’ve been avoiding: “Choose your intended major”. There’s a scroll-down list that comes up when you click the box; there are so many options, you just don’t know what to pick.

If you’ve found yourself in this situation while filling out college apps, don’t stress! You’re not alone. Many students starting college are unsure of what they want to do. Here are some questions you could ask yourself that will help you answer one of the most difficult, yet important, college application questions you need answered.

What are you good at?

We have to state the obvious: being good at what you choose to do in your college and professional life is critical to success. So when you’re picking a major, consider your strengths and weaknesses- and be honest with yourself! Which high school courses did you excel at? Maybe you’ve considered a career as a doctor, but you struggled through all of your science classes. However, you excelled in English, and your teacher often complimented your writing abilities. So you might consider literature, journalism, or creative writing.

Make a list of all the things you’re good at, and all the things you’re not. Compare the list to necessary skills and abilities required for each major or career path. It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people overlook this important step and rush into a major that turns out to be a major struggle from beginning to end.

What excites you?

When you’re online, or reading the newspaper, what catches your eye? Are you drawn to the latest update from NASA’s Mars Rover? Or a new advancement in cancer treatments? Are you interested in the new law that was just passed by your local government? You should be passionate about your major, or it will be much more difficult to sit through classes and excel at the subject. Maybe you wanted to be pre-med, but you realize you couldn’t care less about science. Yet, you’re still passionate about helping people. Then consider psychology, sociology, or another major that could lead to social work.

Whatever you decide to major in, make sure it’s going to be something that excites you.

How do you spend your free time?

Consider your extra-curricular activities. Maybe you were on the debate team, on a sports team, in the science club, or shot and edited photographs. Look at the knowledge and experience you acquired from these activities, and see if they could transfer into a promising career path. For sports lovers, it may not be realistic to be a professional athlete, but you could major in Sports Marketing if that’s something you’re passionate about. If you were on the debate team, find a path that allows you to best showcase your oratory and research skills. Take what you love and put a professional spin on it.

What can you see yourself doing?

When choosing a major, think about the possible career paths that might follow it. Envision yourself in the profession you’re considering. Think about the day to day activities that are required to be in your field. Could you do what it takes? If you think you could, look for internships in the field you’re considering. Internships will let you test drive a potential job, and see if you’ll actually enjoy and excel at something, or absolutely hate it. Even if you don’t like what you find at an internship you expected to love, it’s a good way to make contacts and see what the working world is like. If you aren’t sure what you want to do, apply for everything! An internship you didn’t think you really had an interest in could launch you down a path you never considered. Internships are a great way to get professional experience, make connections, and learn your strengths and weaknesses.

Remember, You Can Change Your Mind

If you’re still unsure of which box to check on your application, don’t worry. Many of the classes you take as a freshman won’t be related to your major, and many schools don’t require that you decide until the end of sophomore year. Even students currently in school aren’t sure, and often switch majors, even in their second or third year. So don’t stress about your major– you have plenty of time to figure it out.