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How to Choose a College Major: Tips for High School Students

Jashan Gill


Choosing a college major can feel overwhelming. With so many options, it’s important to pick a path that aligns with your interests, strengths, and goals. Your major doesn’t have to define your entire future, but it will guide your studies and open up certain career paths. This blog will help you start exploring your interests and strengths to make an informed choice about a college major.


Let’s dive into some key tips to guide you along the way.


1. Identify Your Interests


A great place to start is by identifying what you’re naturally interested in. Think about the subjects, topics, and activities that genuinely excite you. This doesn’t have to be tied to a specific career—just explore what you enjoy learning about or doing.


Ways to Identify Your Interests:

  • Make a list of subjects or activities you look forward to, whether in school or in your free time.

  • Reflect on your hobbies. Do you enjoy coding, writing, or helping others? These hobbies can provide insight into possible majors.

  • Ask yourself what problems you’d like to solve. Many majors focus on solving specific types of problems, so this can help narrow down options.


Pro Tip: Try keeping a journal to jot down your interests and what excites you as you explore different subjects.


2. Consider Your Strengths


Choosing a major that aligns with your strengths can make your college experience more enjoyable and less stressful. When you’re naturally good at something, you’re more likely to excel, feel confident, and stay motivated.


Ways to Identify Your Strengths:

  • Look at your academic performance. Which subjects are you strongest in? Are there certain areas where you consistently do well?

  • Seek feedback from teachers and family. Sometimes others can see your strengths more clearly than you can.

  • Reflect on past accomplishments. Think about projects or achievements you’re proud of and consider which skills they required.


Pro Tip: If you’re not sure about your strengths, take a strengths assessment test, like the CliftonStrengths or the VIA Character Strengths survey, to get a clearer idea.


3. Research Potential Majors and Careers


Once you have an idea of your interests and strengths, start researching majors that match these qualities. Look at different career paths associated with each major to see if they align with your long-term goals.


How to Research Majors:

  • Use college websites. Many universities provide detailed descriptions of each major, including potential careers.

  • Explore online resources. Websites like MyMajors and CollegeBoard’s BigFuture allow you to explore majors and potential career paths.

  • Talk to people in different fields. Reach out to professionals or college students in areas you’re interested in to gain insight into their experiences.


Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to research “uncommon” majors that you may not have heard of. Fields like environmental design or data science could align perfectly with your skills and interests.


4. Take Introductory Courses


If you’re unsure about a major, taking introductory courses in a few areas of interest can help you get a feel for what each subject entails. Many colleges offer general education courses that expose you to a variety of subjects, which can help you make a more informed decision.


How to Make the Most of Intro Courses:

  • Audit online classes through platforms like Coursera or edX to explore subjects before committing.

  • Participate in summer programs for high school students that focus on specific subjects like STEM, the arts, or humanities.

  • Try electives in high school related to your potential majors, like economics, psychology, or computer science.


Pro Tip: Look for “exploratory” programs at some colleges, which allow students to explore different majors before declaring one.


5. Think About Your Values and Long-Term Goals


Consider what matters to you in life and how different majors align with those values. For example, if helping others is important to you, majors in psychology, social work, or healthcare might be a good fit. If financial stability is a priority, research high-paying fields and majors that typically lead to well-compensated careers.


Questions to Guide Your Thinking:

  • What kind of work environment do I see myself in? Consider whether you’d enjoy an office, lab, hospital, or outdoor environment.

  • What are my career priorities? Think about whether you value job security, high earnings, creativity, or helping others.

  • What kind of lifestyle do I want? Some majors, like engineering or medicine, often require significant time and energy investment.


Pro Tip: Don’t feel pressured to have it all figured out right now. Your values and goals may shift over time, and that’s okay.


6. Shadow Professionals or Intern in Potential Fields


Getting real-world exposure to potential careers can be incredibly helpful. Many high schools offer internship or job-shadowing programs where students can observe professionals in their work environments. This can give you a firsthand look at what different jobs entail.


Ways to Get Experience:

  • Seek out summer internships or volunteer opportunities in areas related to your interests.

  • Use online platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals and ask about shadowing opportunities.

  • Join clubs or organizations in high school that focus on fields you’re interested in, like a debate club for law or a coding club for computer science.


Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to try different internships or shadowing opportunities. This can confirm your interest or help you realize it’s not the right fit.


7. Keep an Open Mind and Be Flexible


Remember that choosing a major is a decision, but it’s not set in stone. Many students end up changing their majors once they start college, so keep an open mind and be willing to adapt as you learn more about yourself and different fields.


Tips for Staying Open-Minded:

  • Consider double majors or minors if you have multiple interests. Many colleges allow students to combine fields, giving you more flexibility.

  • Don’t be afraid to change paths. If you realize a year into college that you’re no longer interested in your major, changing is possible.

  • Focus on building transferable skills. Skills like critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving are valuable in any field.


Pro Tip: If you’re interested in multiple fields, consider interdisciplinary programs that allow you to study more than one area.


Conclusion


Choosing a college major is an exciting step in your academic journey. By reflecting on your interests, strengths, values, and long-term goals, you can make a more informed decision about what to study. Remember, your major doesn’t define your entire future, so stay open to exploring new areas and adapting along the way.


Good luck, and trust in the process of discovering what works best for you!

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