"What are you going to major in?" It's a question every high school student hears. For some, the answer is easy. For many others, it's a source of major stress. The good news? It's completely normal to be undecided.
In fact, many colleges don't require you to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year. This guide is for students who are exploring their options and want to make an informed choice.
It's Okay to Be Undecided
First, let's dispel a myth: you don't need your entire future figured out at age 17. College is a time for exploration. Being "undecided" or "exploratory" gives you the freedom to try different subjects without pressure.
Many students who enter college with a declared major end up changing it. The key is to be proactive in your exploration.
Strategies for Exploration
- Reflect on Your Interests and Strengths:
- What high school classes did you genuinely enjoy, and why? Was it the subject matter, the teacher's style, or the type of work (e.g., lab experiments, writing, problem-solving)?
- What do you do in your free time? Your hobbies can offer clues about what motivates you.
- What are you good at? Are you a natural leader, a creative thinker, a meticulous organizer?
- Use Your First Year Wisely:
- Take a Variety of Courses: Use your general education requirements to sample different fields. Take an introductory course in psychology, economics, computer science, or philosophy. You might discover a passion you never knew you had.
- Talk to Professors: Go to office hours for your classes, even if you don't have a specific question. Ask professors about their field, their research, and what kinds of careers their former students have pursued.
- Conduct Informational Interviews:
- Reach out to professionals in fields that seem interesting. Use your family network, alumni from your high school, or platforms like LinkedIn.
- Ask them about their day-to-day work, the best and worst parts of their job, and what they majored in. This provides a real-world perspective that you can't get in a classroom.
- Get Hands-On Experience:
- Join clubs related to potential majors. This is a low-stakes way to see if you enjoy the community and the subject matter. As we discuss in our extracurriculars guide, this can also strengthen your profile.
- Look for internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs. Real-world experience is the ultimate test of whether a field is a good fit.
Don't Confuse Major with Career
While some majors lead to very specific careers (like nursing or accounting), many do not. A degree in history, English, or political science can lead to a huge variety of professions. These majors teach you critical skills—how to write, how to think critically, how to analyze complex information—that are valuable in any field.
Focus on finding a major that you find engaging and challenging. The passion and skills you develop will be your greatest assets, no matter which career path you choose.