Some students begin college knowing exactly what they want to study.

Many other students:

• have a variety of interests and are unsure about what major to choose.
• have chosen a career (like law or sales), but don't know the best major for that career.
• start with one major in mind, then become interested in another.

If you haven't decided what to study, you are in good company. Nearly two-thirds of all college freshmen have not chosen a major, and 55 to 60 percent of college students change their major at least once.

Choosing a major can be confusing, but read the information below. Then talk to your high school guidance counselor, college academic advisor, teachers or professors for more help.

What is a college major and minor?

A major is a specialized field of study. By declaring a major, the student agrees to take particular classes to earn a college degree (a two-year associate's degree or four-year bachelor's degree) in that field.

College majors are organized collections of classes emphasizing one of the following

• a subject (English, mathematics, etc.).
• a theme (peace studies, history of philosophy, etc.).
• a professional field (pre-med, pre-law, engineering, etc.).

For example, to earn a bachelor's degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University, you need to complete 126 credit hours of course work. Approximately 81 of those credit hours would be specific to Urban Planning and Development.

With most bachelor's degrees, you can minor in a subject different from your major. Minors generally require about half the credit hours as a major. A minor can allow you to merge two different subjects to create more career options.

For example, if you wanted to work as a scientific illustrator, you could major in science and minor in graphic design.

How to choose a major

Choosing a major can be one of the most difficult yet important decisions you make.

You may be concerned about how the choice will affect your future. In addition, you may feel pressured to make a decision before you have any idea about what majors are available and how you would find a job in that field.

You need to ask yourself these questions:

• How do I decide what I want to do with my life?
• What do I like or want to do?
• What can I do?
• What is the outlook for jobs with this major?

As a student entering college who is undecided about a major, you have the advantage of not having to make a premature decision. You enter the process where you can gather information about your interests, abilities and values. As you go through this process, the best major for you will eventually become clear.

Remember, you can always change your major of study, but it might mean you will have to stay in college longer to complete the required number of classes.

Why choose a major?

When you choose a major, you are creating a plan of action for your education. You are determining the classes you need to take and the order in which to take them.

In order to excel in your major, you should study what you enjoy. Your major should be a source of satisfaction for you. Some majors lead directly to a specific job or career, others do not. Don't worry if you choose a major that is not directly related to a job or career. There are many combinations of majors and careers.

Where to begin

There are many ways to begin the process of narrowing down your choices. Everyone comes to their own decision in their own way. Here are some things you can do to begin the process.

• Review the majors available to you. Mark out the majors you do not want and you should come up with a manageable list to explore.
• If you are undecided, your first year of college should be one where you explore majors with the classes you are taking. Make sure you take classes that meet general education requirements so they apply towards your degree. By doing this you can explore different majors.
• Think about what you have learned. What classes did you like the best? Why? How do these possible majors relate to your interests, abilities and values?
• Talk with an academic advisor about the majors you are considering. Ask them to help you choose classes that meet the requirements for the major but can still count towards your elective requirements in case you decide this is not the major for you.

Evaluate the majors you are considering. When you are close to making a decision, think about the following:

• What preparatory classes are required?
• How many classes are required in the major?
• Are the classes you will need offered every semester?
• How many elective credit hours can you use toward the major?
• What are the total number of credit hours you will need to graduate?

Conclusion

Throughout the process of selecting a major remember that most of today's employers are looking for employees with a college degree regardless of the major.

To be successful in any job, you must know how to think and learn. As a college student, you will learn how to solve problems, make decisions and many other skills. If you study what you enjoy, you will have a better chance of successfully completing your degree with good grades. This success will open the door to many career opportunities.