The Advice No One Gave Me About Picking a Major

Choosing a college major can feel incredibly intimidating. Not only are you picking something you may end up doing for the rest of your life, but you’re also committing your time and money for the next four or so years in order to make it all happen. You may even feel like your entire future depends on this exact choice.

The pressure you’re feeling is real and shouldn’t be ignored—but it doesn’t need to feel like a do-or-die situation. It’s easy to assume that since you’re in college, you should already know the path you’re headed down. This is especially true for first-gen students who often carry the extra weight of “making it count”.

While it’s true that choosing a major is important, it’s also far from the end of the world if you feel uncertain or want to change your mind later. In fact, it’s common. Most students feel unsure about their major at some point.

Your First Choice Doesn’t Have to Be Your Final One

When I first started college, my plan was to become a psychiatrist. During that time I was a psychology major and my advisor at the time recommended I consider doing a double major and adding a chemistry degree. I tried this for a year and realized that I really didn’t like chemistry.

That realization led me to rethink my path. I realized that I was far more interested in clinical psychology and wanted to focus on talk therapy interventions rather than medication management. At first, I felt guilty about dropping chemistry and going back to only psychology, but it turned out to be the best pivot I could’ve made.

Not only did my grades improve, but I genuinely enjoyed my classes. I felt excited to learn. That feeling alone told me that I was on the right track.

It’s okay to change your major. It’s okay to look at other options. It’s common and many students do it. Our interests as people evolve over time that’s how we grow into who we want to become.

Ask yourself this

Instead of just asking yourself “What do I want to do for the rest of my life?”. Combine that question with the following:

• What kind of work feels meaningful to me?

• What type of lifestyle do I want long-term?

• What is driving me is it passion, financial gain, or both?

It’s okay to explore your options. If you’re in college it’s the perfect time to be doing exactly that. I want to encourage you to explore but I also want to encourage you to be cautious and smart in doing so.

For first-gen students, college often comes with significant financial investment. So although passion matters, your choice should also consider salary, job security, and long-term job demand. The goal is to find the right balance between what can fulfil and support you. Chose something that will fuel your life’s passions and goals while also supplying you with a good enough salary to ensure you can live comfortably while paying off any loan debt you may have obtained while being a student.

You don’t need to go into a profession that will make you millions. And you’re not a failure if you don’t. Find the balance between what fulfils your dreams and also provides long-term financial stability (you won’t regret it).

Use Your General Eds to Explore

While taking your general education credits I recommend using this time to explore different areas you might be interested in. Not only will this help you look at potential majors you might like, it will also continue earning you credits toward your degree without wasting more of your time and money.

You can take countless different electives or intro courses across almost any major and these can count toward reaching your gen ed requirements. Think of it like a “test drive” course that you can feel out for a semester.

This tip can be really useful but it’s also important that you double check any course you plan to take with your academic advisor to help ensure the credit can be counted toward your required general education credits.

Talk to People Who Are Doing What You Want to Do

If you’re interested in a specific job field, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone already working in it. Ask if they’d be open to a short phone call or chat over coffee. In some cases, you can even shadow them for a day or two.

Additionally, you can use upperclassmen as resource. Many are happy to share what they’ve learned about their majors and future career paths. Find an upperclassmen from a major of interest and ask them some questions.

You can also ask your professors if they know any graduates working in your field of interest. Most people are more than happy to talk with a student about what they do and help provide you with insights as you figure things out.

Final Thoughts

Picking a major can feel like a massive, frightening decision. I’m here to reassure you that when approached thoughtfully, it doesn’t have to be. Picking a major is just one step in your journey not the entire picture. I encourage you to explore your options, ask questions, and know that you aren’t behind for having doubts.

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Have any major-related worries or questions? Leave a comment below—I’d love to help.

I’ll see you next Sunday.

-Shawn