One of the most important and difficult decisions of your life is picking a major. Suffice to say, it's a decision that will inevitably impact your future in many ways. In a world that constantly seems to be progressing, improving, and rising in competition, there is an incessant pressure on college students to know what they want in life. The truth is that it's okay if you don't have your life figured out yet. In fact, that being undecided on a major is totally acceptable when entering college and a lot of people are undeclared, but when the time comes that you must pick a major, there are some things to keep in mind when trying to choose the best one for you.
Focus on your strengths and consider your passions. I have relatively ambivalent views on the belief that people should choose a career that reflects their passions. I think that following your passion is acceptable under certain circumstances. The reality is that your passions change over time. Perhaps one day you want to be a chef and the next, an engineer. You think you love to cook but then you meet the science of engineering and your passions shift. This is not to say that you should completely abandon your desires. To be successful in choosing a major, you must consider interests that also accentuate your strong points. For instance, I love to sing, but I know enough about my musical abilities to limit the singing to the shower and the car. Even though I am passionate about music, I have no intention of pursuing a career in that field, because I know that I can't carry a tune. In essence, pick a major that reflects both your strengths and interests.
It's not about the money, at least not entirely. If you're choosing a major for the sole purpose of making a lot of money, you're setting yourself up for failure and a life of discontent. Of course, lawyers and doctors are guaranteed to make a good income, but if you're going to end up studying law or medicine with absolutely no interest in the areas of study or a recognition that neither of them are your strong suits, it'll be an arduous, unhappy career path. If you choose something you like and are good at, it's very likely that you can become prosperous, because you would have a lot more to offer.
Be realistic and know what you're getting yourself into. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big and setting high goals for yourself when it comes to career success; however, you should approach your ambitions realistically. For instance, if you like to sing and act and believe you have potential, you may want to major in Theatre. On the contrary, if you major in Theatre thinking that you will move on to performing on Broadway and become a world-renowned actor or actress, chances are your hopes and expectations are a little bit unreasonable. This is not to say that you can't or won't acquire the fame of being of Broadway, but it's not a realistic way of thinking about a career and choosing a major. In addition, it's important to realize that you know what you can expect from your chosen major. If you pick medicine, understand that it'll lead to an academic and career journey of constant studying, knowing and practicing. In Theatre, you will encounter rejection and stiff competition. However, this shouldn't deter you from challenging yourself and seeing how far you can go, but you should always be aware of what you know, what you like, and what you can expect when picking a major.
