Choosing a major: how do I decide?

I'm feeling stuck on picking a major. There's so much pressure to choose the 'right' one. Any advice on how to figure out what might be a good fit? Should I go with something I'm passionate about or something more practical?

Combating this kind of indecision certainly takes thoughtful consideration, so it's great you're reaching out. The decision on what to major in generally revolves around two key factors:

1. What are you passionate about? This is often linked to the subjects you most enjoy in school or the extracurricular activities that make you excited. If there's a subject you could spend hours delving into or a hobby that captures your attention, that might indicate a fitting major.

2. What career path are you interested in pursuing? While it isn't necessary to have a specific career in mind when beginning college, it can be beneficial to ponder possible career fields. Certain majors, like engineering or pre-medicine, may lead more directly to specific professions. Do keep in mind, many professions can accommodate various kinds of majors.

Balancing passions and pragmatism is a personal decision, but ideally, you'd want to strike a balance: studying something you love, but that also has career potential.

Consider this process of choosing a major as a journey of exploration. Once in college, you'll have the opportunity to take a variety of courses before declaring a major (usually by the end of sophomore year). This could be an excellent chance to explore different fields.

Don't worry if you start college undeclared, many students do. And, many others change their major during college. Focus on exploring your interests, challenging yourself academically, and developing a broad array of skills. You're much more likely to excel in a field you're truly interested in.

Finally, I would recommend seeking out professionals in fields you're interested in and ask them about their paths. This could provide practical insights onto which major may help lead to a fulfilling career. It's also a great way to start networking.