3 answers
Bianca
Student
Plano, Texas
2
Questions
Asked
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What had been the best way to figure out the major you want to get a degree in And how do you navigate moving away from home??
I am a graduating high school senior and have been having trouble ddciding ehat I want to do with my time in college. I feel Ive been putting too much emphasis on what I would befome after my degree and the pay.
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2 answers
Dalia Salazar
Consulting
19
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dalia’s Answer
It’s completely normal not to know your major yet. A lot of students feel pressure to choose the “perfect” degree by imagining their whole future at 17 or 18, but a better approach is to get more information about what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what kind of life you want in college.
I’d break this into two separate decisions: (1) choosing a direction for your major and (2) preparing emotionally and practically for moving away from home.
For your major, start with a short process:
1. List your top interests, not job titles. Write down subjects, activities, or problems you actually enjoy.
Take 2–3 free career/interest assessments and look for patterns, not one “magic answer.” Good free options include the O*NET Interest Profiler, which maps your interests using the RIASEC model and connects them to career areas, and BigFuture’s career quiz, which matches likes/dislikes to careers and education paths.
2. Turn the results into a shortlist of 3 majors, not 10. For each one, ask: Do I like the coursework? Can I see myself doing internships in this area? Am I interested enough to keep learning even when it gets hard?
Research entry-level roles tied to each major so you understand the path without obsessing over salary alone. Pay matters, but liking the work and being able to stick with it matters too.
On the moving-away-from-home side, the best way to navigate it is to make it concrete instead of scary:
1. Learn what your housing, meals, budget, laundry, transportation, and study routine will actually look like
2. Practice a few life skills now: making appointments, managing money, cooking 3–5 basic meals, and keeping a calendar
3. Decide how often you’ll call or text home so the transition feels planned
4. Give yourself permission to miss home without treating that feeling as a sign you made the wrong choice
A simple 2-week action plan could help:
This week: take O*NET and BigFuture, then write down the top careers/majors that appear more than once
Next week: narrow to 3 majors, compare required courses, and talk to one student, advisor, or adult working in each area
At the same time, make a “moving away” checklist: budget, packing, dorm/apartment basics, communication plan, and weekly routine
If I were giving one main piece of advice, it would be this: don’t choose a major only by future pay, and don’t choose only by vibes either. Choose a direction where your interests, abilities, and realistic opportunities overlap. Career quizzes are useful because they can help you see that overlap more clearly, especially when you’re undecided.
I’d break this into two separate decisions: (1) choosing a direction for your major and (2) preparing emotionally and practically for moving away from home.
For your major, start with a short process:
1. List your top interests, not job titles. Write down subjects, activities, or problems you actually enjoy.
Take 2–3 free career/interest assessments and look for patterns, not one “magic answer.” Good free options include the O*NET Interest Profiler, which maps your interests using the RIASEC model and connects them to career areas, and BigFuture’s career quiz, which matches likes/dislikes to careers and education paths.
2. Turn the results into a shortlist of 3 majors, not 10. For each one, ask: Do I like the coursework? Can I see myself doing internships in this area? Am I interested enough to keep learning even when it gets hard?
Research entry-level roles tied to each major so you understand the path without obsessing over salary alone. Pay matters, but liking the work and being able to stick with it matters too.
On the moving-away-from-home side, the best way to navigate it is to make it concrete instead of scary:
1. Learn what your housing, meals, budget, laundry, transportation, and study routine will actually look like
2. Practice a few life skills now: making appointments, managing money, cooking 3–5 basic meals, and keeping a calendar
3. Decide how often you’ll call or text home so the transition feels planned
4. Give yourself permission to miss home without treating that feeling as a sign you made the wrong choice
A simple 2-week action plan could help:
This week: take O*NET and BigFuture, then write down the top careers/majors that appear more than once
Next week: narrow to 3 majors, compare required courses, and talk to one student, advisor, or adult working in each area
At the same time, make a “moving away” checklist: budget, packing, dorm/apartment basics, communication plan, and weekly routine
If I were giving one main piece of advice, it would be this: don’t choose a major only by future pay, and don’t choose only by vibes either. Choose a direction where your interests, abilities, and realistic opportunities overlap. Career quizzes are useful because they can help you see that overlap more clearly, especially when you’re undecided.
Jen Anderson
Finance Billing
4
Answers
Brentwood, California
Updated
Jen’s Answer
Instead of immediately deciding on a college major, consider exploring a variety of elective courses that interest you. The first few years typically involve core requirement classes, so there is no urgency to choose a major right away. Eventually, you will discover a subject that genuinely captivates you, making your decision clearer. If you must choose a major early, consider a versatile option like a business degree, which is beneficial in any industry. Remember, you can always change your major later.