If you are the type of person who has known all along what it is you want to be when you grow up, if you have your path planned and spread out before you, then you are in the minority. This article is probably not for you. If you are like the rest of us who are approaching or have reached their high school graduation still uncertain about where we are going and what we really want to do, then maybe this article will help. The first thing you should do is relax and try not to pressure yourself. Deciding on a major, and thus on a future career, can be difficult. Certainly, you’ve found some things that interest you, and you may have even come up with some majors your considering. It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out yet. Hopefully this article will give you some ideas that you can use to help you in your search. Here are some tips.
1. It’s probably not a good idea to delay.
Some think that if they don’t know what they want to study in college, perhaps they should wait. Take a year off and think about it. This works for some of us, but for many it’s kind of a trap. First here is the danger of never getting to college. One year bleeds into two. Things get busy. Life changes. You begin working, and before you know it ten years have gone by and you discover that you never went to college. Second, even if you do fulfil your promise and enroll in college after that year, what do you think will be different? Do you have a plan that will help you discover your true calling in that year? In truth, the best way to discover what you want to do is to take classes in subjects that pique your interest. In short, you are more likely to find your calling while you are in college than you are if you wait to enroll.
2. Choose a major or go undeclared.
In some colleges, you don’t have to choose a major right away. In fact, in many schools you don’t have to declare your major until you are well into your sophomore year. Other schools want you to declare a major right from the very beginning. This doesn’t mean that you have to keep that major though. In fact, many students change their majors in the course of their college career. Start undecided, or choose one of the majors you have been contemplating and see where your college journey takes you.
3. Take classes that interest you
Most of the classes you take in your undergraduate degree are not connected specifically to your major. There will be some prerequisite classes that you will take regardless of your degree focus. In addition to this, you’ll have electives. Take advantage of your electives and choose classes that interest you. For many, a great experience in a class has helped them determine their major.
4. Volunteer and join clubs
Spend some time volunteering for various organizations that are in fields that interest you. Join clubs at school that pique your interest. For some, it is an experience outside of the classroom that leads them to their ideal career.
Besides these tips, the best advice we have is to just start. Very few people know their destination from the very beginning. Most of us discover ourselves during the journey. Trust yourself, enroll in school and find where it leads you.
