college majors

[unknown]

I just finished my first semester of college, and I still have absolutely no idea what I want to major in. My interests are way too broad for me to be able to choose one subject and commit to it. I have considered everything from law to medicine to television to writing... but I hate to limit myself to just one.

Any advice or experiences you would like to share would be a great help. how do you like your given careers/majors?

 

[Waterstiller]

I did whatever was easiest for me. Philosophy was the path of least resistance. I wanted to major in psychology, but it was too annoying at UC which is generally all about research. The problem now is that I have a degree and it all felt a bit pointless.

I'd figure out right away whether you're leaning towards obtaining a BA or BS. Humanities generally don't have to decide right away, but if you're leaning towards science you need to focus on it more. A lot more. The one thing I wish I would have done is go to the professors' office hours when I was fulfilling my breadth requirements and talk to them more. Not just about the present course, but what they found interesting in their field of study. Most people don't realize that your professors can be your greatest counselors. In my experience, the classes aren't what's valuable from college; it's the opportunity to sit down and talk to some of the most intelligent, committed, people you'll ever meet. And they generally love it when you take things further than what's being presented in the course.

It also helps if you're a major procrastinator like I was, and can often be the difference between a B and an A. Especially in the lower division classes where they know everyone is forced to be there. If you come to office hours at all they tend to adore you, but you might catch a bit of their passion if you come talking about theories and their own work.

 

[Anling]

I'll share a quote from a biography I recently read in response to this question. "When you walk down the street, when you're in the shower, when you don't have to be thinking about anything else, isn't this what you think about? .... You ought to find something that you love so much that when you don't have to think about anything, that's what you think about."
That struck me when I read it. Made me think about what it is that I really love to think about and would like doing for the rest of my life.
So, what is it that gets you fired up? What do you think about when you don't have to think about anything else? If you don't know, maybe you still need to take more of the generals before you decide. Don't be afraid to do some exploring. And just because you pick one major does not necessarily mean you cannot take other extra classes just for fun.

 

[unknown]

Well, so far I am leaning towards a BA. I always got good grades in my science classes in high school, but I never had a real passion for it. I didn't go to any of my professors' office hours last semester, but that seems like great advice. The charm of going to a small private liberal arts college is supposed to be one on one time with the teachers, so I might as well take advantage of it. waterstiller, what UC did you go to?

Usually when I have nothing else to think about I tend to think about different television shows (characters, plot points, etc). I have always loved to come up with my own characters and stories. Unfortunately, I don't know how to express those ideas in any tangible form. I thought taking a class like Mass media would be a good start, but I hated it (tons of useless busy work). So I guess it is a good idea for me to stick with GE classes for now.

I hate not being able to figure out something so important though.

thanks for the advice.

 

[flow]

I'm getting a General Studies degree. I know, it sounds like a cop out... but it's the best decision I probably made during college. I've been taking psychology, philosophy, anthropology, etc. etc. You can take classes you're interested in, and get a B.A. Almost like what college is actually suppose to be! Learn what you want to! Yeah!

 

[unknown]

But what do you do what with a degree in general studies? that might sound a bit shallow, but with all the money it's costing me I really can't afford learning for the sake of learning.