Picking a Major

Picking a major can be one of the hardest things you have to do when you are in college. The single most important thing to remember when making your choice is that you do not need to be 100 percent certain about it. You only need to be certain enough to make the decision.

Here at HOT 97, we'd like to make the process a little easier for you. We've put together a list of resources that can hopefully make your decision a little bit easier

First: there are five major (no pun intended) considerations to think about when choosing a major:

1. What are your interests? For example the kinds of things you enjoy and the activities you like to participate in.
2. What are your abilities? Ex. Look at your past performance in scholastic and non-scholastic work.
3. What are your values? The values and principles that guide your life.
4. What are your motivations? Why you might be considering a particular major.
5. What are the realities? Are there any situations in your life that would have a strong or overriding influence on your choice of major?

Second: when trying to choose a major there is one piece of advice that you can'tforget. Repeat it to yourself as often as you need so you never forget it. Here it is: Don't Panic! Choosing a major FEELS far more important than it actually is. It is important, but by no means will it be as great a determining factor in the rest of your life as some adults will make it seem. Several years after you graduate, you'll realize that almost nobody you know is actually doing anything related to their major in college.

Third: remember a major can be changed. If you feel like you made a mistake with picking a particular major, go speak with a counselor as soon as you get the feeling. Explain to them how you feel and they will help you find the solution that works best for you and your situation.

Fourth: Always remember to choose a major that works with you. Don't follow your friends in choosing a major. You have to feel comfortable with the subjects and the material being presented in class.

Fifth: Consider mixing it up a little, major in two things. Be well-rounded, major in Business and Art, or whichever combination makes sense to you

For more info on picking a major, here are three websites thatwe found to be very helpful. We hope it helps you.

Making It Count
College Board
Job Street

But most of all, remember that college is what you make of it. Choosing a major is not nearly as important as working hard, getting to know your professors, getting involved in what's going on around you, participating in research, starting new things, and always expanding.