College-Goer

[Serenata]

I'll be graduating High School next year. I have no clue what to master in. Ideas?

Areas of Interest:
Animals
Holistic Medicine-Herbs, massage, aromatherapy, homeopathy
Music-Writing, singing.
Literature-Writing, editting.

My interests are all over the board. Any ideas/advice would be much appreciated.

[subterranean]

Hello, Serenata.

Those are interesting subjects. Interest is good way to determine your option. But perhaps you might also want to consider in which subject you are the strongest. Grades probably the easiest ways to see in which subject you do best. I think the pluses and minuses you got from the combination of both interest and capability, can lead you to a decision.

[Shalot]

Can you get a secure a job with any of these majors after college? I don't know where you're from, but if I were you, I would consider job prospects as well as what you like to study in deciding on a major (you can always major in something practical and minor in the subject you love --- or vice versa).

My grandfather always told me to do what I like, but I like to sleep late and read aimlessly and there aren't many jobs that pay a person to do that.

It just depends I guess. I consider myself a lifelong learner.....

[imthefoolonthehill]

find whatever is hardest for you, and major in that. That's what I did... (it turns out women's studies aren't at ALL what I thought they were - jk)

...I'm a math major.

[subterranean]

What's up, fool? Miss reading your posts!

[Shannanigan]

cute avatar :)

I had the exact same problem...I was interested in science, forensics, math, writing, literature, architecture, psychology...god I was just everywhere. I started out as an elementary education major (elementary teachers get to teach all subjects), then realized that I just can't put up with that many young kids for that many days out of the year. Changed to psychology but realized that if I wanted to be a psychologist, I'd have to go to 8 years of school and there was no way I wanted to do that. Now I'm an English major focusing in education, so I can teach jr. high or high school (I much prefer older kids to younger) and if I don't like it, there are other options my degree can get me...

My suggestion to you, therefore, is do consider what you want to be doing when you finish school and how long you are willing to go to school. Also consider how competitive the job market is for careers you are interested in. Writing music or literature is very, very competitive...you'll want some kind of back-up plan in case you don't become famous right out of school or before (all the luck to you if you ever aim for that, though ;)) On the other hand, a lot of places need good veterinarians, and there's some good money in holistic medicine.

It can be difficult, and you probably won't get it right the first time...but the first two years of school usually are packed with general education courses anyway, so you have time to feel your way around what you want. Just remember that what you study will suck up a lot of your time in your junior and senior years...are you willing to take 3 or 4 courses in one semester all on literature, or music, or animal biology...etc.?

And remember, just because you major in one thing, doesn't mean that you can't minor something else, or that you have to totally abandon it. I wonder how many people here on the forums are not/ were not English majors? I know lots of musical artists with business degrees...you still get to be you, so take your time deciding what your degree says you plan to do for a career, but don't pin yourself to it permanently :)

[imthefoolonthehill]

hey Sub. college life. When I'm not banging my head against cement walls (i.e. chasing girls) I am banging my head against brick walls (i.e. studying my butt off). At other times I am banging my head against oak walls (working)

Bleh.

That's why I haven't posted so much.


But as to the subject of the thread, I had the problem of wanting to learn everything... so I did the only thing I could. I chose the hardest. If I decided I didn't like it, I told myself I'd do something else. So far, I'm still ok with it. Note: take what you love reguardless of how profitable you think it will be.

[grace86]

Hi Serenata

Your plans will change at least once when you get to college...and I am just being modest.

I am temporarily attending a community college here in California. When I graduated I wanted to do so many different things: teacher, lawyer, photographer, writer, business. When I got to college I could not make up my mind. I finally decided about my second year that I wanted to pursue anthropology and science.

Community college is a good idea for those who absolutely cannot make up their mind - particularly because it is cheaper to change your mind. You will be spending a lot more money at a university when you all of a sudden decide holistic medicine is not what you want to do - but veterinary science. It's just a thought. It has been working for me - I can pursue a lot of interesting classes and broaden my field a little bit.

Now as I am preparing for a university, my professor who is helping me out says that it is not a bad idea to double major or minor. He said to always have a practical back up plan.

So if I were you, and we are not far off, I would definitely keep my interests in mind, but not stress out too much about it - since after all, you will be filled for a while with general ed classes.

Good luck with studies in your last year of high school and in your educational pursuits after senior year.

[grace86]

By the way, foolonthehill, I know exactly how you feel...minus the chasing girls thing :p

[Serenata]

Thanks for all the advice. I've given some throught to the practicality vs. interest of most of my interests. It kind of seems that massage therapy would be a good thing to go into, but I read that most massage therapists have maybe 10 years before arthritis and carpal tunnel sets in heavily. I was raised on holistic medicine and have retained alot of the stuff I've learned over the years.

This kida makes me lean toward aromatherapy. But, on the other hand, I love music and writing poetry. I was thinking, in my younger years, about being a song writer, but the music industry is so cut-throat. So I have no idea. I'm good with English. I write tons of stuff.

My dad had the not-so-helpful advice of marrying a rich man. Not a lot of prospects in my home town.

Thanks everyone.

[subterranean]

hey Sub. college life. When I'm not banging my head against cement walls (i.e. chasing girls) I am banging my head against brick walls (i.e. studying my butt off). At other times I am banging my head against oak walls (working)

Bleh.

That's why I haven't posted so much..

Which one is the hardest? Well, glad to know that you're doing alright :).



Thanks everyone.

You're welcome, Serenata. Once again, good luck!