Here's a novel idea and fun game that's sure to bring hours of fun: take out a catalog of all the college majors offered at the schools you are interested in (or the school you attend). Write every major in the catalog on a sheet of paper. Put them in a hat, shake, and draw. There, you now have your new major! The method is flawless, right?

Of course, the problem is...not all majors are created equally. You have your likes and dislikes. Even then, you might have different considerations in choosing your major. Some people swear on their lives that the best way to choose a major is to pick a field earns the most money and has the best job opportunities. And who can blame these people? If you don't pursue a career that has financial security, you'll have little room for doing things you really enjoy in your leisure time. You won't be happy because instead you'll be worrying about where the money for your next meal, for the next bill, or for whatever pressing expense, will come.

At the same time, there are other people who swear on their lives that you should pick a major for a field that you enjoy, regardless of the pay. And who can blame these people? They recognize that money does not buy happiness, and if you are happy, you can weather any financial shortcomings. When work becomes tedious, you not only become unhappy, but you risk damaging your mental and physical health through unnecessary stress.

These aren't the only philosophies, of course. Some people will argue fervently that you must closely listen to the advice of your parents, and who can blame these people? After all, if your parents also went to college, then they definitely know the process. Regardless of whether they have or have not attended, they do have a life's worth of job experiences that could help you. Specifically, as a prospective college student, you should be maturing after the teenage rebellion stage, and what better way is there to show your parents that you value them in your life than to listen to their advice on your future?

But at the same time, don't forget about this philosophy's admirable opponents - these people will argue that college is the beginning of your independent life, and as such, you should make your decision based on what you want, and not what others tell you to do. And who can blame these people? They are right in the fact that you can't cling to mom and dad forever. After all, sooner or later, they won't be there, so you must be accustomed to making decisions on your own. You might as well get started when the law first allows you to become independent, which coincides usually with going to college.

Which philosophy is best?

The fact is that there is no one best way to choose.. Each philosophy has its strengths and weaknesses; each has a different value in play that, depending on your upbringing, will either appeal to you or repel you. If you are a cautious person, then discussing the issue over with people who have experience will be extremely comforting. If you are a idealistic person, then it will be critical that you follow your heart and do something that you enjoy first and foremost: your very nature can take you the rest of the way.

So, what you CAN do to help you decide what method is right for you is analyze your personality. What FEELS right to you? This is a decision that you will have to reflect upon every morning, so you want to make sure that you can look yourself in the mirror four years, ten years, or twenty years from now and be happy with what you decided now.

Learn more about this author, Andrew Spriggs.
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