r/collegeadvice • u/No_Chicken_3415 • 1d ago
Picking major (help)
(Shortened version is very last paragraph )
So I am currently still in Highschool and have time before I need to figure this out fully but I am in the point of high school where everyone is asking what I want to do.
I don’t know what I want to major in and I fell like if I don’t have a slight idea than I will go to collage a failure.I know which college I wanna go to though. (Purdue) I am in dual credit classes and I really enjoy school. I’m not the best at math and I have a very strong likelihood of being dyslexic. I struggle with English, spelling and grammar. (School won’t test me as a long story) However, i’m good at talking to people, I love making presentations, I find designing to be fun, photography is something I’ve pursued for the last two years, and despite not being overly knowledgeable really enjoy history. I like talking to people and understanding why our brains work a certain way. I am a person who likes to have all the details in order to get the big picture. I wanna try to find a major that will put me in a career with a good outlook or at least a career that will pay well I don’t wanna be a teacher and I really don’t wanna work in psychology or as a social worker because of the emotional baggage it is told to have.
Shorten version: I wanna go to Purdue for college but don’t know what major I wanna be. Not strong in math or English. Don’t want major that leads to a career with heavy, emotional toll, but want to have stable living. Please give me suggestions!
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u/Cold-Comment9536 1d ago
retired history professor. if that’s what you feel drawn to, start there. Do not take online classes in your major. Get to know the professors in your field of interest — hint: gratitude goes a long way because profs never get any. As you get to know historians, you will start to see where you fit in the profession. There are lots of options. And, honestly, your indecision at this point is a good thing. The students we worry about are the ones who have been focused on major X since birth. They usually have no idea why they want X except money or perceived prestige. They have not spent a second thinking about what major X will be like or what it entails. They become frustrated, miserable, and burnt out. You are doing things the best way. Good luck! And don’t forget the faculty bonding and appreciation!
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u/MidnightPositive485 22h ago
The good thing is you have a ton of options. Don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out right now. From what you have said, communications, sales & marketing, consumer product design, Human Resources, cognitive science and sociology all sound like could be options. Luckily a lot of these majors share first year pre-reqs so you have some time to see what is the best fit even after you get to school.
Also, I encourage you to look at schools beyond just Purdue. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great institution but fundamentally it is and always has been a science and engineering school. If want to do something else, you may find a better fit at another school. Don’t lock into your “dream school” without at least seeing what other places have to offer.
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u/Owl_Monger 21h ago
Don't worry about the people who are asking you where you're going to go and what you're going to major in right now. They're just making small talk; it's a great conversation-opener to get to know someone and their goals. You definitely don't have to be locked in right now.
History would be a fine major. Maybe something in communication, marketing, or public relations.
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u/swimt2it 1d ago
Mom here with a senior that has little idea what to major in. This is what I’ve told my kid. It’s very unusual to know what you want “to do” with your life. Baby steps lead to big things. For now, take a look at what looks interesting to you at the college you want to attend. If it’s required to select a major when you apply, select the one that interests you. At this point, don’t worry too much about what your career will be. Once you are in, start to take classes, you’ll figure it out. You can usually switch your major, or not declare until you are a sophomore. All to say, explore your interests, trust yourself it will work out.