FINDING THE RIGHT MAJOR
by Jimena García
Teenagers in their last years of high school constantly feel pressured and confused about not knowing what major they want to study. Trying to choose a major that perfectly suits all of your strengths can be hard and frustrating at times. It’s hard to think that a decision you make at such a young age can define your future. Every student wants to take a successful path, however it can be hard to make a good decision when you’re still growing up and maturing.
Schools around the world push students at a very young age to start looking for a subject path even if they are years away from university. Having this type of pressure at a young age can really affect someone’s mental health. It is good to start persuading student to think of what they want to study for their future but it’s important to be careful with not pressuring them into making a decision. But then, what can a student do to choose the right major? The key for finding the perfect major is finding your passion.
Picking a major is so much easier than what everyone thinks. Students, teachers and parents make such a big deal out of it when it is not. The only thing you need is following what you love doing. It’s as simple as that. For example, to help finding what you truly love you can make a list and decide you’re strengths and weaknesses, of course always considering to be realistic with your decisions.
Talking to advisors and professionals can be really helpful. Sometimes we are interested in so many things it can become hard to focus on one. Professionals can guide you and help you choose what is best for you according to your abilities. Try asking if there is an available school counselor in the college or university you’re trying to apply to, they surely will help. You can ask them for different types of events that will guide you into making a decision such as college fairs.
What if none of this help and you still can’t find your major? Entering collage as an undecided major student is alright. Do not damage your mental health getting way too frustrated over not knowing what to study. Collage gives students the opportunity of taking classes that can be related to something you have in mind. If you still have an idea on what you want to study go for it. If you realize the major you chose is not for you you can absolutely change major. Studies prove that “about 50-70% of college students change their major at least once.” It is normal to feel confused and finding out what you truly want, however how can you know if you don’t try?
It’s important to stop having the idea of choosing your major being the decisions that defines your future. You can always start again and always find solutions when you feel lost. Even though making this decision is a big step it doesn’t mean you can’t go backwards. This decision students have to face at some point of their lives should not be something that discourages them and make them think of dropping out of school like in lots of cases. Instead, it must be what passionates them.
Sources:
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Major. (2019, November 27). Retrieved February 1, 2020, from https://blog.collegeboard.org/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-a-major
Richardson, C. T. (2019, October 17). The Fear of Choosing a Major. Retrieved February 1, 2020, from https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-fear-of-choosing-major