When You Don’t Know What to Major In
In a recent survey of a thousand U.S. adults aged 33 to 44, respondents confirmed that they are still paying off their student debt from college loans, even as they approach middle age. On average, the respondents took out an average of $21,880 in student loans, with 68% of them still paying off their debt a decade later. While most from this pool of millennial respondents agree that going to college was worth it — for improved job security and higher earnings — getting into debt was not.
The increasing costs of college education places a lot of pressure on high school students to pursue lucrative majors and graduate with in-demand degrees as quickly as possible, often even before they’ve had time to understand the impacts of just how big a choice “what to major in” really is.
This is understandable, but it remains the case that teenagers should be more patient with themselves. As a student looking ahead to that next stage, you’re already stressing about checking out schools, completing applications, and writing a great college essay –– on top of running the whole high school gamut of tests, extracurricular activities, and social experiences.
It’s perfectly okay not to know what to major in, and here are three reasons why:
1. You’re still growing and learning about yourself
When you enter college, you may have an idea of what you want to accomplish, but you’re likely going to graduate with a completely different mindset. New experiences can open our minds to possibilities we’ve never considered before, so take the time to explore what you’re interested in through your classes, internships, or other opportunities. Find out what suits you best! At the very least, you’ll identify in time what you don’t want to do, which will, in turn, make choosing a major much easier.
2. You have plenty of time to decide
Many colleges don’t ask you to declare a major until you’re in your sophomore year, because you’ll be exposed to different things after the first four semesters (and believe it or not they want you to have time to think about it!).
If you’re already worrying about your major in high school, feel free to take your time. Sure, your grandparents probably ask you what you're thinking of studying every time you talk, but you shouldn't rush into choosing a major just because you feel pressured to.
For that matter, even when the time comes, you shouldn't force yourself to stick to your first choice. Many undergrads switch majors a few times throughout their college careers because they’ve found something else they were passionate about along the way.
3. Your degree doesn’t determine your career
When you’re in high school, the idea of choosing a college major may seem like it’s going to determine your entire future. That’s not necessarily true; employers tend to look beyond your degree when they look at your applications.
Moreover, what you choose to do with your life is always up to you; you don’t have to stick with the prescribed career paths determined by your degree, even if it might be easier in some cases.
Advice for Choosing What to Major In
When you do decide to give real thought to choosing your major, it's important to remember you don't have to do so alone. Guidance counselors, for instance, make helping students navigate the college application process their life’s work.
Students who graduate with degrees in higher education leadership are trained to make students their primary focus. They study the college student experience and stay up to date on trends in higher education and even job markets in order to best inform students and propose solutions according to their needs.
Talking to a professional counselor or adviser can be extremely helpful because they’ve probably guided hundreds of students through the same dilemma. Mind you, you don't have to follow their guidance. But said guidance is still an excellent resource to take into account in the course of your broader considerations.
Talking to a professional counselor or adviser can be extremely helpful because they’ve probably guided hundreds of students through the same dilemma. Though you may not follow what they suggest to a tee, said guidance is still an excellent resource to take into account in the course of your broader considerations. Moreover, their insights about you as a person can help you identify your future career path. As an article on ‘The Power of Thank You’ from LHH suggests, appreciate the fact that none of us go through life alone. People can bring unique value into your life through a positive feedback loop, so celebrate those who invest in you.
Ultimately, the key to all of this is to stay motivated over time. Studies show that students perform better if they’re more hopeful and have a positive outlook on life. This can at times be difficult to maintain with all of the stress factors that surround you in the latter years of high school. But if you remember not to succumb to the pressure and keep your mind on your own development and growth, you'll be able to stay motivated –– and ultimately make the best choice for you at the right time.
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