by Maximilian Ringwald

Created on: August 04, 2009   Last Updated: August 06, 2009

Choosing a major is easily the most important decision in your academic career: your major not only determines what courses you will take, but also what careers are open to you and even whether you will be able to graduate with a degree at all. With so much riding on your choice of major, choosing from among the numerous majors available can seem a daunting task. Fortunately there are numerous resources available to assist in your decision, and when combined with a little self-reflection and independent research you will be able to pick a major with confidence.

Many students just entering college have no idea what they want to major in, but often feel pressured to choose their major right away. It is perfectly okay to be a little indecisive at first, and that's why most universities give students the option to put "undecided" or "exploring" as their major. Some colleges even have special classes for undecided students that aim to expose students to as many subjects and careers as possible. If your college offers such classes, you should certainly look into taking one. Luckily for students attending colleges without such special classes, you still likely have "core curriculum" or "general education" classes that are required of all majors. By taking these classes early in your education you will get a chance to sample different academic areas while earning credits that apply to any major you later choose.

Besides exploring different subjects on your own, you should also meet with your academic advisor to help you with your decision. With so many majors available, taking a class in every subject is impractical. An academic advisor can assess your interests and abilities and then suggest classes, and many can administer career aptitude tests that will point you toward careers you would likely enjoy and be good at. If you have narrowed your choices down, you advisor will also be able to refer you to department advisors who can tell you even more about a major and the kinds of careers associated with it.

Once you narrow the possibilities down a bit or even think you have reached your decision, it is a good idea to take a step back and ask yourself these questions before committing to a major:

*How well are you doing in your major's classes? If you want to become a marine biologist but find yourself struggling in those introductory biology classes, this might not be the major for you. Upper-level classes normally get more difficult and always build on lower-level

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