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Choosing College Courses and Majors



CHOOSING MAJORS

The first thing you need to do when going to College, is to take time and talk to many different people about their college experiences. Gather information form many different sources. Ask them what they liked, learned and were challenged by? Ask them about the mistakes they made and how they would do things over. Ask them how they finally decided on what to choose as a major? Did they know from the beginning…stick with it…or change along the way? When you go to college, remember that is a pivotal growing and learning time. A time to really prepare well for your future earnings and happiness.

Choosing a major is a very personal decision. Think about it: This major will determine the course of your career. But don't stress about it!

Most people are afraid to make a decision because it feels so final. What if you don't like the subject after all? What if you find something that you like better? Relax! This is perfectly normal. That's why colleges make it easy to transfer to a new Major.

So take a deep breath, and ask yourself these questions. They can help you discover what is right for you:

• What classes did I like in High School? Was it math and science, or the arts?

Figure out your favorite subjects, and choose Majors that focus on those types of classes.

• How soon do I want to be working? Is it a problem if school lasts more than four years?

Some Majors seem interesting, but is it worth the extra time? Try to decide if you would love being something so much that you are willing to go through the training and financial realities.

• What would I really love to do? What drives me? Is it work? Financial freedom? Travel? A certain kind of lifestyle? Am I Cause oriented? Health oriented? Family oriented?

Find out more about who you are and what you like and dislike. The better you know yourself, the better choices you will make to take you in a more fulfilling direction.

And a word to the wise - don't let people tell you not to follow your dreams because: "It isn't a real career," or "There's no money in that!" This is your life. You deserve to love what you do. It is a proven fact that people who have passion for their work live happier, healthier lives. So go on…make your well thought out choices. You can always change course if you learn something you didn't know before, something that causes you to know now! We're rooting for you!


Sites that will help you Choose a Major:

www.QuintCareers.com An article devoted to helping students find their Major.

www.CollegeAnswer.com This site includes a list of people who's career ended up miles away from their Major. Included is Gene Simmons, who Majored in Education.

www.MyMajors.com Take this interactive quiz to find out what Major is right for you!

CHOOSING COURSES

After you have chosen your Major, you may feel like you are in the clear. Well, you almost are, but now you have an equally important task in front of you: Your course schedule.

The thing to remember is that some classes will be harder for you than others. If you schedule three of your hardest classes during the same semester, you will have a hard time passing them all. You need the time for extra study when you are taking classes that don't interest you, or are just plain harder.

Another thing to keep in mind is your internal clock. Are you a morning person or night owl? Make sure to schedule your classes when you are at your best. You won't learn much half asleep.


More information about Choosing Courses:

www.CollegeBoard.com This is a great step-by-step article about how to choose your courses.

www.eCampusTours.com eCampus Tours is a guide for collge students. This particular article focuses on the importance of balancing your college life.