You’re changing majors again?? You want to do what?!? As the cost of college continues to rise, many, if not most students (and parents) are feeling pressure to get it right; to know what they want to do, and then take the most direct route possible to get there. Transferring schools, changing majors, or even taking a few exploratory classes, is costly financially and time wise, often pushing back graduation dates. Average college costs around the nation? Check it out here.
So, how can we help students stress less and move toward the best possible campus and career choice for them? As a coach, I believe it comes down to helping students articulate:
- What their unique natural gifts and talents are
- Something they have a keen interest in that others don’t necessarily share
- What they are passionate about
- Ways they see themselves using their talents & passion to help others
This combination is incredibly powerful in moving students toward choosing a field of study that will uniquely fit them. The questions above are simply a starting place . . . digging in and really exploring where they lead will create a rich and rewarding experience full of “aha moments.”
Some of you may be thinking, umm, where are the questions about annual salary and earning a living? I don’t ask students to think about how they will earn a living initially. While this is obviously important, when that question becomes the driving force in making a life decision, students begin to lose the ability to see the connections between passion, purpose, and fulfillment in their career choices. Sustainability questions are most beneficial once students can articulate their talents, interests, passion, and how they want to use those things to make a difference.
Narrowing schools down is now the easy part. Besides the obvious questions of “do they offer the field of study I want to go into” and “are they generous with financial aid”, some things to consider when choosing a school are:
- What is the campus culture like? Online campus newspapers can be a fun way to get an insider’s view.
- What is the school known for? Engineering? Business? Nursing? If it isn’t your chosen field, what would cause you to consider the school? What are the potential benefits of looking further?
- What is campus housing like? Are all the dorms co-ed? Are the bathrooms co-ed? What is important to you when it comes to your living arrangements?
- Do students and faculty care about the things you care about? More and more campuses are known for something outside of academic programs such as being environmentally conscience, being focused on social justice, or even for programs developed especially for teens who have aged out of foster care.
Choosing a school and major doesn’t need to look like a shot in the dark where students hope to stumble onto what they want to do, nor should it be an immensely stressful process. Experiencing the independence of going to college, and beginning the process of creating a fulfilling future is exciting and fun. The process of choosing a major and school can be too!
Brenda is an ICF certified Academic Life Coach and trains youth advocates in the Academic Life Coaching 1.0 coach training program. She has 14 years of experience working with college students, is an adoptive parent, youth advocate and a licensed therapeutic foster parent. To learn more and schedule a free academic life coaching consultation for yourself or the student in your life, please click here.
Wish you were around when I was looking at schools 30 years ago!
Great info and reminders of how important it is to get the right fit/match when it comes to your higher education. It makes ALL the difference!
Thanks, Cathy. The right fit/match does make all the difference!
Being in the middle of college applications, there is great information here for those looking for the right school. These are all questions we have had our kids think about as they have made their college choices.
Thank you for not leading off with “how much money will I make after college?” My girls (and I) have tired quickly of their choices being denigrated because they aren’t choosing big bucks majors, but rather areas where they can fully utilize their talents and make a difference.
I’m sorry more people haven’t celebrated with you as your girls have chosen to use their gifts and talents to make a difference. It’s a testimony to your family that they have moved toward things that will bring them lasting fulfillment and be a blessing to others! Way to go!!
We just watched our very smart grandson go thru this process. His parents encouraged him to do 100% of the info gathering. Ironically he chose the Top College, most expensive, least scholarship but the perfect choice. He just got A- in his freshman Physics & Math where half the class dropped out. We are proud of him- a shy young man, found friends, a girlfriend & is doing well.
It sounds like he did a great job of researching what school would be the best fit for him. Wise parents to give him ownership over his choices and decisions. You have every reason to be proud!
Things sure have changed since I went to college! Really good food for thought here, not just for college-bound students, but for anyone wanting to figure out what they want to be when they grow up.
Thanks Carol, I appreciate you sharing!
We are working on this.. my youngest is a Junior and plays club/travel soccer and we are working with her recruiting coach and a gal who runs a private scholarship business. Some questions were like these.. where she wants to live, her goals, any colleges she is interested in and etc. great stuff
If anything comes up that I can help you or your daughter with, feel free to get in touch. Very exciting place to be; choosing school and making plans for the future!
Great advice to help guide you through the process. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Vicky!
These are all great tips and a terrific way to start (or finish!) a collegiate journey. I would add — don’t be afraid to change majors if the one you’ve declared just isn’t right for you. Yes, it may take longer to complete college, but it’s better to have a degree in something that speaks to you than something that you feel obligated to do because you’ve got X number of years into it. I’ve tried sticking out bad relationships for that very reason and it never worked!
Great comment, Jackie. I totally agree. Don’t finish just to finish. Finish because it’s the fulfillment of a passionate pursuit that uniquely fits you. 🙂
Brenda- I love this post so much to think about. My oldest goes to college in a little more than 4 years and she is already looking at some of these questions. She is probably going to a performing arts HS so her choices might be different if continues in the performing arts. I also tell her connect with her passion first and then see how it can Make you money. I worked at University of Miami for 5 years so I love talking about what it takes to go and get into college since I worked in admission. Thanks for a easy and thoughtful post.
I love how you are giving your daughter the freedom to find and pursue her passion! Our daughter’s must be the same age. Keira is 14 and in 8th grade. She is interested in performing arts as well and would like to get her degree in theater or musical theater. She’s been consistent on this since she was 7 years old, so I am starting to think she just may do it!
The world of higher-education online is amazing today. What an advantage to be able to research and compare where and how to start life-long studies.
It is pretty amazing to be able to go online and compare schools and programs!
Great tips for those still attending college… 🙂
Nice article ! Thank you..
Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.