It’s extremely common for college students to feel lost about what to study in college. Deciding on a major when you have no career passions or talents in mind can feel overwhelming. However, you have more options than you think. Here is some advice on directions to consider if you’re unsure what to study.
Actively Reflect on Your Interests
This advice is simple to give and difficult to follow. Remember that college itself provides a structured environment to explore different subjects and reflect on connections to future careers. Allow yourself to fully participate in this process of self-discovery without pressure to have everything mapped out upfront. At the same time, if you aren’t actively reflecting on your interests, journaling your ideas, or actively working toward a vision for the future, you might not be doing enough.
Take General Education Courses
The academic requirement college students seem to dread the most is General Education classes. But there is a legitimate reason most colleges require them: they require you to sample different parts of the curriculum before getting too deep into a major. If you don’t know what you want to do, then simply taking General Education courses is a great way to move toward your degree while exploring your interests. An English or psychology class could spark a passion you never knew you had!
Talk to Academic Advisors
College advisors are not there simply to help students register. Almost all professional advising offices offer services like general academic planning and goal-setting. Advisors are campus experts who can suggest majors that align with your strengths and developing interests based on assessment tests and what you share. They can also explain the requirements for degrees you’re considering and related career paths. Some schools even have career counseling to further help match programs to your attributes.
Start with an Exploratory Major
Some colleges offer an “exploratory” major that gives you breathing room to take different elective courses while fulfilling some base degree requirements. It lets you sample business, tech, creative or science-oriented classes to zone in on an area to declare later. Statistically, about a third of college students change majors, so not knowing right away is just fine!
Choose a Flexible or Dual Major
Opt for a broad major like Business, Communications, or Liberal Arts that develops versatile skills for many jobs. Most employers care more that you have a bachelor’s degree than what it’s specifically in. Or pursue a double major combining one practical degree like Finance with a passion-driven one like Music or English. This balances job prospects and enjoyment.
Pursue Internships and Talk to Industry Professionals
Look for internships and informational interviews to get exposure to potential careers tied to majors you are considering. This real-world insight from people working in those fields can help you determine if specific areas of study match your developing interests and strengths. It also builds your professional network.