Choosing a college major can be a daunting task. When you first begin your college experience, you may have many different interests, or perhaps you simply do not know yet what kinds of classes you like. Perhaps you entered college with an initial idea of what you thought you would study, but after taking some classes, that idea has changed. The great news is, choosing a major doesn’t have to slow you down. The following guide will help you in the process.

You may be wondering why you must even choose a major to begin with. The reason behind choosing a major is because those classes will help you develop skills and abilities for a wide variety of careers after you graduate including:

  • Critical thinking
  • Project development
  • Research/analytical
  • Interpersonal/cross-cultural
  • Communication

That said, there are some myths about choosing a major. Your major does not equal your career. In other words, what you choose to study in college, does not necessarily determine what you will do for the rest of your life. Here are some other myths you may have heard – do not let these myths discourage you!  

  • I can’t change my major once I declare it – FALSE
  • Liberal arts students are only qualified for careers in their specific area of study – FALSE
  • The best way to explore majors is to only take the introductory course – FALSE
  • Employers always prefer a student with two majors over students with one major – FALSE

So now that we’ve cleared that up. Here is a very simple action plan that will help guide you in choosing a major. Complete these steps and you will have a much better idea of what you’d like to study in college.

Step 1: Get Out Your Pen & Paper!

  • Jot down things you like
  • Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses
  • Write down what you care about
  • Make a list of your long-term goals

Step 2: Get Help!

  • Use online resources from College Board, U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, U.S. News & World Report
  • Talk to your advisor or career counselor on campus

Step 3: Don’t Rush, Take Your Time

  • Know what the major entails
  • Explore possible career options
  • Stray from the norm … don’t be afraid to go bold

Still cannot come to a decision? That’s okay! Many schools do not require their students to declare their major until their second year. Take some General Education (GE) courses that interest you and take the time to explore different subjects. Get involved on campus or with extracurricular activities, it might light a spark. Even if your school requires you to declare a major, you’re not stuck! In fact, studies show that about 50%-70% of students change their majors at least once throughout their undergraduate career. Do not be afraid to make changes – this is your future!

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is an honors organization, boasting 320 plus chapter nationwide, that recognizes high-achieving first-and second-year students. With its three pillars of scholarship, leadership, and service, NSCS is proud to provide career and graduate school connections, leadership and service experiences, practical and skills-based content, access to discounts and savings, and over a million dollars in scholarships, chapter funds and awards annually. To learn more about joining the NSCS honors society, visit us at http://www.nscs.org/join.