Major Stressing: How to Choose Your Major
by Mary Anne Feeney and Elizabeth Onusko

How to Choose Your Major
How I Became a Psych Major
How I Became a Photography Major
How Journalism Became My Destiny
Two Majors, With a Minor on the Side

"So, what are you majoring in?"

If you're sick and tired of hearing this question, you're not alone. Tons of freshmen and sophomores put off answering that same question until they absolutely have to face it. But the end of the spring semester nears, and for many of you, the time has come. How will you decide what major is perfect for you?

Beth's Story

Last month, over 15 years worth of education culminated in a single, nerve-wracking moment: I officially declared my major.

I have to admit, I expected a little more pomp and circumstance. I had images of myself standing in the middle of campus, screaming out to all of the other students, "I've chosen to sell my soul to English!" I expected someone to care — someone other than the department chairs who sat so disinterestedly at the tables in my school's major fair. All they wanted to do was get home before the traffic got too bad.

I watched some other students rush from table to table, frantically searching for a last-minute miracle, trying to find a vocational calling worth committing their lives to. I felt a twinge of pity for them. After all, can someone really earn an annual income above the poverty line if they majored in Irish-American literature?

Suddenly, it was my turn. The sophomore dean smiled sweetly at me. I tossed my form in her direction and tried to smile back, but I was nervous. My hands were sweating a little; I felt a bit dizzy. Did I know what I was doing? Was I in the right frame of mind to make this seemingly huge decision? After all, I was consciously directing the course of the rest of my life.

And then, with the flick of her wrist, my fate was sealed. Or was it? It didn't take me long to realize I can change this major later if I want to. Ahh, the reassurance of a safety net beneath me! (Even though I am fully aware changing a major can be a real headache, hey, at least the option's there.)

I was done, free to return to the rest of my life. So much effort had gone into my decision; I can only hope it is the right one. But how will I know for sure? How can anyone feel confident in what major they are choosing for themselves?

Well, my fellow fearful students, read on.

Making your Decision: Mary Anne's Advice

After dealing with acclimating yourself to college life and learning to cope with the wonderful world of "core curriculum" (non-major requirements), your next step is to choose your major.

Picking your major is a pivotal point in your college career. Saying yes to a certain field of study might seem like you're saying yes to what you plan on doing for the rest of your life. In other words, it's one of the most stressful decisions of your undergraduate life. It can feel like you're taking a quantum jump. However, there are ways you can help yourself narrow your search and focus your thoughts.

First, make a list of subjects you would be interested in learning more about. Talk to as many older people (your neighbors, parents, their coworkers, school administrators) as possible about their college major, and why they chose it. Surprisingly, you might find many people work in fields unrelated to what their concentration was in college.

Find out if your school has a "major fair." Most schools do have them at least annually, if not more often. Attending the fair can help you make a more informed decision because you can learn what each major entails and speak directly to that department's faculty. If you are still undecided, visit your school's career counseling center. Many have interest tests you can take, the results of which you can then discuss with a counselor. Talk with them about what you might want to do for a career, and ask them what they think would be a good major for that type of job. Another good idea is to start looking into internships. You might find yourself hating something you thought you'd love doing.

Talking to professors from various departments is another way to get an impression of what a certain major will be like. The more people you talk to, the better informed you'll be about the choices you have.

The Bottom Line

Although making this decision is stressful, try not to become overwhelmed by the numerous choices offered to you. You don't have to stay eternally committed to a major; if you change your mind, the world won't come screeching to a halt. At the very least, you will have discovered something you don't want to devote your studies to. That's valuable information.

Taking an assortment of classes can also be beneficial in several ways. Not only will it allow you to narrow down the list of subjects you're interested in, but you'll also be able to broaden your knowledge about a variety of things at the same time.

Don't rush into anything you aren't completely sure about. Keep searching until you find the major you feel fits you best. After all, you should be passionate about what you're studying. It won't only improve your grades, but will enable you to learn much more about the subject and even about yourself.

As Ella Fitzgerald said, "Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there's love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

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How to Choose Your Major
How I Became a Psych Major
How I Became a Photography Major
How Journalism Became My Destiny
Two Majors, With a Minor on the Side

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