One of the biggest choices in your late teens and early twenties will be picking your college major, if you decide college is for you. It can be daunting, because there are hundreds of paths possible and the final decision will need to come down to only one or two things.
With so many choices, it can be hard to know what's right for you. So, here's three things I did that helped me decide:
Take random, but interesting classes
In your first year, you'll have the most freedom. Advisors will constantly tell you that you don't need to know your major yet, and that's true.
Consider experimenting at a community college
(a less expensive way of exploring your interests). Sign up for subjects that interest you, and some that you'd just like to find out more about. You may find that you'll love a class you thought you'd hate, but you'd never know that if you didn't try it out. Or, you might be bored by a subject you thought would interest you.
Make a list
Take ten minutes and write down everything that inspires you and makes you happy. What are your hobbies? What could you do for hours without getting bored? Those are the things that will propel you forward in college, and they're the ideas that you should pay attention to.
I truly believe that if you're passionate enough about something, you can be successful doing it professionally. Plus, you might also see something on that list that you hadn't thought of majoring in.
Remember: It's better to do something you love, even if you don't make as much money, than to do something to make a lot of money, and hate it.
Shadow people
There's no better way to see what a job will be like than to shadow someone who does it now. You can observe their day-to-day life and ask questions. If you like it, that person could become your "foot in the door" once you graduate. It's a great way to tell, beyond the college classes, if this is something you could see yourself doing.
It's easier to shadow someone in your possible field. Many people are excited to show you what they do for a living, and will be happy to answer any and all questions.
Besides the three listed above, what are other ways you've chosen your major? Leave us a comment below and let the world know!
My name is Amanda Rossol. I'm 21 years old and majoring in Spanish and Secondary Education, with a minor in English. I'm currently heading into my internship year, where I'm placed in a high-school, Spanish classroom. Something interesting about me is that I LOVE country music!