Deciding Your College Major
Deciding your major for college can be a fun and challenging experience. You’re basically setting the trail for your future career, and hopefully you know exactly what you’d like to do. If you’re still not sure then that’s OK too. This article is designed to make the decision process for deciding a college major easier. We’ll address some simple concepts that will help you come to your own conclusions. After you’re done reading hopefully you’ll be able to have a clearer perspective of what you want to do.
Ask yourself what would you have the most fun doing?
I know it sounds like a cliche, however this is extremely important. You need to understand that you are going to be spending two, four or maybe even more years of your life studying. After that you will be soon going into a career related to those studies. In that career your time will most likely be spent doing that. (It’s been proven that most Americans spend most of their lives at work. ) So it’s very important you’re studying something you love, and it will turn into a career you love. If you don’t love it, then by all means don’t do it. The money will come if you are truly passionate about what you’re doing. If you keep your eye on the type of life you’d like to live, and just follow your heart with the type of career you love you will lead a very successful life.
Oftentimes I see people take courses to go into careers that pay well, but they really don’t care for. After they are done they usually end up doing well for a few years, and some even manage to go further than that. Unfortunately, they all tend to burn out after some time. Doing something one has no passion for tends to be life sapping. After a while a person turns into a mindless zombie that has no passion for life. They usually end up being fired because their work suffers, and then start having all kinds of other issues because of it.
Don’t let the cost of your education stop you from obtaining it.
This sounds crazy, but don’t let the cost of the education you want stop you from making the choice you want. If you have a hard time affording it right now, then just put it off for a little bit. Save some of your money up and start taking courses at a later date. You may want to look into what kind of government programs that are available to you that may be able to pay for part or even all of your education.
If your desire is strong enough you WILL find a way to afford the education you are looking for. Sit down and try to map out a plan on how you will be able to afford it. It may take you longer than others, but you will still reach your goal. Wouldn’t you rather just reach your goal than having a life with no goal achieved? Think about it.
Pick the major you like and not the one your parents like.
I know your parents mean well, and there is a good chance they may be helping you financially with your education. However- it’s very important you make the choice for your major yourself. You have to keep in mind that this is YOUR life. Your parents won’t be the one’s taking the courses and working in the career, you will. So it’s important that you sit down with them and convince them of how important this is to you. You might find yourself getting into an argument, but most parents will come to understand. Most parents who have gone to college already know what you’re going through. Tell them that you want to live a happy life, doing the things that make you most happy. Tell them that’s what it means to be wealthy. Most parents will be shocked hearing their son or daughter say this, however deep down this is what they most want for you. Trust me.
Always choose the route that is the most fun.
I’ve already said this in so many words above. However it’s best that I repeat it. “This is YOUR life. Choose the route that is the most fun!” So many good things come out of following one’s passion. Time is just as important as money. (And sometimes it’s even more important than money.) Wouldn’t you rather be doing the things you love with your time? A lot of people try to pick the majors and careers that make a lot of money in order to have a lot of fun later. Though the intent is good the thinking is backwards. Nothing worthwhile will come without inspiration and passion behind it. By choosing the route that offers the most fun you will most likely: make lots of friends along the way, eventually make lots of money, you might run into your soul mate, and you’ll probably be able to look back at your life with no regrets.
When it’s all said and done, just trust your feelings.
Picking a college major is a big decision. The last recommendation I have for you, and probably the most important one is to simply trust your feelings. (AKA trusting your gut.) Go to a quiet place in your house or in nature and meditate on it. Ask yourself questions like, “What will I truly be happy doing? How can I turn my passion into a serious money maker? What are some ways that I can make this easily obtainable for me?” After you’ve come to your answers try visualizing yourself totally having a great time in school and in your career that you plan on going into. Go back to these visions everyday for 3 minutes to give yourself a recharge.
All in all, keep in mind that this is just another segment of your life your entering into. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Expect to have a lot of fun, and you will. Try to go into this new segment of your life with an open mind. Life can throw some extremely cool opportunities along the way. Oftentimes these opportunities take us on a totally unexpected route, however it usually leads to a fulfilling life. I used to be an actor and had a major in performing arts. (Crazy huh?) I still sometimes sit in amazement at what I’ve become. A spiritual teacher and all around advice giver. However, I always followed my heart and it’s lead to great success. I recommend you do the same, and your life will start to take on new dimensions.
What is this stuff?
