One of the very first steps in determining the best school for you is choosing a major to match your interests, aspirations and goals in life. Should you choose a hobby, a singular intense interest, a special talent your possess, or your parents’ or other relatives’ chosen source of income? Or, maybe you should choose none of these; for you really don’ know. Well, here are some guidance, directions and ideas to think about.
Choosing The Obvious
A hobby, interest, talent or a relative’s chosen source of income may be a fine choice. However, think long-term. Do you really want to pursue a hobby you now simply enjoy doing? Are there facets of the hobby you really detest? For example, you build model airplanes, but have always been deathly afraid of heights. You love skateboarding, but a friend of yours was seriously hurt (or even killed) in a freak accident while skateboarding. You love to help mom in the kitchen, but working with you hands is not your favorite pastime.
You have always had an interest in a number of areas, but are not sure you really want to pursue them as a career. Ask yourself, “Do I want to learn more about …? Do I want to learn almost everything about …?” Regardless of the interest you pursue, there will often be aspects of it you would rather not pursue. However, that is part of becoming a professional or an expert. That is often why doctor’s specialize in a certain anatomy. It is why scientists specialize. It is why policemen or policewomen become detectives or administrators. It is why trained pilots become air traffic controllers or center controllers or one of many other aviation related fields. Do not think that just because you choose a particular major that you have to be an medical doctor, a police officer, a nuclear scientists, a pilot or some other stereotype profession. No education is ever a waist of time. Choose a major, but do not feel locked into a particular employment job. There are almost always many related fields, which you may eventually choose as a career.
You are a talented pianist and thoroughly enjoy playing. However, being forced to practice for hours each day is a major turn off! You have a talent for drawing images of people and animals; but doing it for a living would cause you to soon get burnt out, mentally if not physically. Just because you are talented in a certain area does not mean you have to choose that area as a career or even a major in college.
What about your parents’ chosen source of income or profession? Responsible parents will allow their son or daughter to make that decision. Eventually, you have to make your own choices in life; and this is one of the first and a big one. Can you envision taking over your mom’s or dad’s business? Would you want to do that? Is there a passion or any interest? If the answer to all of these is “no,” look elsewhere. If some are “yes,” consider it carefully.
Choosing The Not So Obvious
Study, investigate, research and read about a wide variety of disciplines. High school students who do this will often discover a hidden interest, or even an earlier talent used in a forgotten past hobby, which now could be pursued as a possible vocation. Search engines on the Internet are a wonderful tool. Be careful of the sources of your information; however, there is a wealth of data, facts, statistics, research findings, etc. on just about any subject.
What do you do in your free time? Who do you admire or aspire to be like? Have you ever been fascinated by how something works, how an airplane flies, why a star twinkles, why dogs bark, how a digital camera works or why a baby smiles or cries? Think of other similar questions and investigate or research the answers.
You Really Don’t Know!
And if you have not done so already, read, read and read some more. Too many high school students do not read enough. If eyesight, problems concentrating, self-imposed or parent-imposed time constraints or limited physical or financial resources are inhibiting your opportunities to read, find a way to overcome or address them. Do so with your parents, relatives, teachers, doctors or others. Choosing the unknown discipline for a college major may seem a daunting task. But embrace the challenge with all your might, resources and ingenuity. And don’t give up! The effort will be well worth it!
Thank you for reading!