| So you've picked a school (college or technical) but | | | | you will need to be more organized when planning |
| what are you going to study? | | | | class schedules and picking classes. Some majors will |
| I've compiled a list of things to consider when | | | | not allow you the time to devote to a second major |
| choosing an academic major. | | | | (often called comprehensive majors.) Be informed |
| Level of interest: Do you enjoy the subject? You are | | | | and be prepared to work! |
| more likely to be successful if you enjoy your major. | | | | Check out survey and introductory courses in a |
| If it bores you, you will likely be unmotivated and | | | | variety of programs. These courses will be more |
| may suffer academically. | | | | general and give you a better understanding of what |
| Do you have a natural talent/skill? Don't discount any | | | | to expect from the program as a whole. Remember, |
| natural talents or skills, instead, let those skills guide | | | | you probably are not going to like every single class |
| you to success. | | | | or topic in your major. I had a friend who loved cost |
| Possible careers? What sort of job will your degree | | | | accounting but hated her tax accounting class. |
| prepare you for? Will you need additional schooling to | | | | Browse the course catalog. Familiarize yourself with |
| achieve your career goals? Is your major geared | | | | the policies and requirements. Read the school's |
| toward one particular trade (for example; engineering | | | | handbook regarding the differences in requirements |
| or accounting) or can you apply it to many careers | | | | for an Associate's Degree, a Bachelor's of Arts, |
| (Majors such as English, history, psychology that | | | | Bachelor's of Science, Bachelor's of Fine Arts, etc. |
| teach marketable, non-trade specific skills such as | | | | These will each require a different set of courses. |
| reasoning, critical thinking, writing and communication)? | | | | Also, check your school's general education |
| What are the requirements? What courses and how | | | | requirements. These are often a set core of courses |
| many will you have to take within the major as well | | | | every student must take in order to earn their |
| as supplementary courses outside your major (i.e. | | | | degree. Check for overlaps and conflicts with your |
| accounting students take courses in marketing, | | | | major. Some departments won't give credit for |
| economics, and business as well as specific | | | | certain courses in a major that were used for general |
| accounting courses). Does the program require a | | | | education requirements. |
| minimum GPA for admission and retention? Will you | | | | Use your advisor. These people know the ropes. |
| need a minor? Will you be required to complete an | | | | They are there to help you navigate the system. If |
| internship or a co-op program? | | | | all of this is overwhelming (and don't feel bad if it is) |
| Prerequisites. Are there specific courses you must | | | | relax! If you have an advisor who just isn't helping |
| complete prior to engaging in major specific courses? | | | | you, see if your school has a set of general advisors |
| (Prerequisites are often lower level introductory | | | | set up for undecided students. These counselors will |
| courses that establish a basic set of knowledge that | | | | often have access to information about general |
| will be referred to and built upon in subsequent | | | | school topics (deadlines, procedures) as well as tools |
| classes.) For example if you wanted to major in | | | | to help you find information regarding specific degree |
| psychology you would most likely be required to take | | | | programs. If you already have a major but are |
| a course introducing theories, models and major | | | | unsatisfied with your advisor, consider asking for a |
| researchers in the field. | | | | reassignment. Often this can be done in the |
| Evaluate the instructors. How qualified are the | | | | department office. |
| teachers? Where did they go to school, what sort of | | | | Talk to other students. They can often provide |
| degrees do they hold, where have they previously | | | | insight and experience that will be beneficial. An |
| worked or taught and what have they published? | | | | upperclassman can be your best friend when it |
| Find out about reputations from other students as | | | | comes to figuring out the system. Not only do they |
| well. Is a certain professor notorious for being rigid or | | | | know the best places to eat, but they might know |
| difficult? A good relationship with an instructor can | | | | the best places to buy and sell books, the best |
| benefit you when you begin applying to graduate | | | | advisors and the best teachers. |
| schools or jobs and you need recommendations. | | | | Don't be afraid to change your mind. In the long run |
| Program reputation. Does the program receive | | | | it's better to spend an extra year or two in college |
| national attention? What do graduates think of the | | | | than to be miserable or regret your decisions. People |
| program? What sort of jobs do alumni hold? | | | | change their majors all the time (I changed mine 3 |
| Are you considering a double major? A double major | | | | times.) and while it's a big decision, it is only a piece |
| can be a huge undertaking. This can be fruitful but | | | | of the larger puzzle. |