How to Deciding on a College Major

How to Decide on a College Major

By Jason C. Steinle, author of Upload Experience: Quarterlife Solutions for Teens And Twentysomethings

“I’m glad it’s over.” said, Tim, a recent HS graduate. “The rush to get college applications in, narrowing down the choices, and making the final decision. It was a little overwhelming.”

Tim, like a lot of quarterlifers, is ready to kick back. Why not? The party’s over, the in-laws have gone home, and he knows where he is going to college next year. Tim’s work is done. Right?

Wrong.

It doesn’t matter if you just graduated from high school or are finishing your sophomore year at CSU, one of the most overlooked questions students fail to explore is “What should I major in?”

Here’s the deal. College is expensive. The 2004-2005 Annual Survey of Colleges indicated that four years of public college costs $22,266. But what the numbers don’t tell you is that college is even more expensive if you drift aimlessly for five or six years before committing to a major and graduating. Think about it. Each change in major adds thousands of dollars in tuition, books, room, and board costs.

So what can you do help control these costs and ensure you don’t bounce from major to major.

Opportunity

Start by writing at the top of a piece of paper “What should I major in? Next, write out all the questions that to relate to the problem. For example:

If I choose that major...

1. Where will I work?

2. When will I work? (early morning, evenings, weekends?)

3. Will I have flexibility in my schedule to invest time in family? hobbies?

4. Are there job openings or will I need to start my own business?

5. Will it support the lifestyle I desire?

6. Does it allow me to capitalize on my interests?

7. Who will I be working with? (people, machines, computers, animals)

8. Will I be doing the same work over and over, or will there be opportunity for new innovations?

9. Can I see myself doing it for the next 30 years?

and so on...

Keep writing out all the questions you can think of regarding the problem.

After you've written out all the questions go through and decide which seven are the most important. Then consider how each possible college major addresses those top seven questions.

By making your ultimate decision based on which college major bests answers the top questions, there is a greater chance you won’t be stuck paying for wasted tuition and you won’t feel inclined to switch degrees every semester.

For more practical tips please visit www.uploadexperience.com

Jason C Steinle the host of The Steinle Show talk radio and television programs. He is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Director of Health and Harmony Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Evergreen, CO. Jason is also the author of Upload Experience: Quarterlife Solutions which is available at www.amazon.com and at www.uploadexperience.com