It's Time for College - Choosing a Major

Not long after deciding to go to college, choosing a major often becomes the focal point. In some cases, the major chosen will actually determine the types of colleges that a student can apply to, but choosing a college major doesn't have to be difficult especially if a student allows time for research and reflection. There's no need to rush into this important decision after all.

A student's career aspirations will undoubtedly have a strong impact on the major he ultimate declares, but not all high school seniors have a clear a idea of where they hope to go professionally. To help solidify general goals for both college and career, a student can take an aptitude test. This type of test doesn't have right and wrong answers. Instead it evaluates a person's interests in different categories in order to suggest careers that may make a good match.

The courses that a student has enjoyed through high school may be a good indicator about which major may best suit her. For example, if she has enjoyed taking chemistry and anatomy courses, she may prefer majoring in a science field instead of history.

Starting College: Choosing a Major Doesn't Happen Right Away

In most cases, freshmen just beginning college do not need to declare a major immediately. Especially at a liberal arts college, students take many general studies courses that are required for all majors. Depending on the college, declaring a major may not be required until the sophomore or junior year.

A student's college adviser can be a valuable source of information about the different majors offered and the potential advantages of each one. It's important for students to realize that the major they choose does not define the rest of their lives. While some majors - like Computer Aided Design (CAD) - are somewhat career specific, many other majors can easily be taken into a wide range of career fields.

Students who intend to continue on to medical school, for example, may think that their best choice is a pre-med major, yet virtually any science or related major can be used for entry into medical school. Choosing a more general major can provide a student with more opportunities after graduation in case his career plans change.

It may be beneficial to sit in on an upper level class in a major to get a better idea of the subject and course load. Reading the syllabus and perusing the textbooks can also be helpful. Sitting in on a class allows a student to get a general feel for it without actually spending an entire semester on something he may decide not to pursue.

In college, choosing a major shouldn't be a source of stress for students. Allowing plenty of time to make the decision and discussing possibilities with an adviser can help a student to confidently choose his or her major.