Whether you are a high school student who has to commit to a college major or a college student who is running out of time to select a major, picking the right field of study can really make all the difference. There are a few avenues in which you can use to explore your options.
Make sure you are educated on the requirements of certain majors. A major may sound appealing at first, but if you do not know much about the major when you sign up, you may be in for a rude awakening. Reading up on a major before selecting a major may seem like a simple suggestion, but many people don't do it. Selecting a major without learning more about the school's program may cause you more aggravation later on.
Test out some of the classes before making a decision. If you are already in college, enroll in a lower-level course to get a feel of what may be expected of you. If you are still in high school, consider enrolling in a community college course or a class offered at your high school to get an idea of what the major may be like.
Take some time to think about what career field you may want to go into. Thinking about a career may seem very daunting at such a young age, but it is something to strongly consider. Your prospective profession does not have to be specific. At least, try to narrow down your career options. For instance, if you like working with children, then select a major that will prepare you to work with children like child development. If you like to build or design, consider engineering or architecture.
Pick a major you are strongly interested in. Passion for a subject, whether it is English or economics, will fire you up to be a better student and, later on, a more productive professional. It is tempting to choose a major or field that is financially lucrative, but few people find solace in this. Remember that you will be in college studying this subject for a number of years and may be working in a related field for many decades, so select something you will enjoy and can stick with.
Take your time before fully committing to a particular major. This decision will alter your academic and professional future, so tread lightly. Be honest with yourself, and select a field of study that will leave you hungry for more and content for the remainder of your life.
