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