University Relationship Status: It’s Complicated

I've changed my major four times in the past two years. Seriously though, I’m naturally indecisive. I struggle with choices as simple as where to go out to eat or what to watch on YouTube. Hold your chuckles- according to this article the average adolescent person is typically indecisive about huge life decisions, because it means you can’t have BOTH options in question. We are silly things.

(Speaking of silly, just in case you were looking at adorable animal pictures on Google Image and now you have to choose whether or not to read this or look at baby ducks, let me help you out by supplying adorable baby animal pictures for this post. In other news, research shows that looking at baby animals increases your productivity. So you’re welcome.)

Baby skunk in LA Times Blog

So how do we find this mysterious EASY button? I have no idea. But I can help with my personal experience of being an indecisive lifer. Here are some tips that I've picked up after finishing my first couple years of college.

Different majors, different options!

Feeling stressed about what to choose as your major? Are your parents constantly asking what degree you will have and you’re completely unsure? Don’t stress! We can help you here!

You are not alone. There are others who are undecided as to what they should major in. The Student Counseling Center in the University Center helps students get an idea of what they might be interested in majoring in.

You will first make an appointment with the offices. You will take tests to see what you like and what your interests seem to be, such as the Myers-Briggs personality test. You will talk to licensed professional counselors about your hobbies, and where you may see yourself in the future.

No, these aren’t your typical high school aptitude tests where you answer 10 questions and automatically your life is chosen for you!

Your second appointment will be about your results, so you will go over it with them and discuss career options that cater to you. Once you have explored your options, you can make at least one follow up appointment with them to see what you liked the most.

Once you decide on a possible major, they will show you different degree plans that you can take.

Do you like art like sculptures and paintings? You can get a Bachelors of Fine Arts!

Do you see yourself as a business man driving a fancy car and suiting up? Oh look at that, we have different business majors like accounting, marketing, finance and business management!

So don’t freak out! We have your back! UT Tyler is a community of students and faculty that support you no matter what you’re facing. Take the first step in your path to success and explore your options!

You can contact the Student Counseling Center at 903-566-7254. Their offices are at the University Center Room 3170. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Check out Keerin's blog about choosing a major at http://go2uttyler.blogspot.com/2013/04/choosing-major-at-ut-tyler-eeek.html

Major Decisions

In college you will be constantly asked questions. How did you interpret this text? What theories could you apply here? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? And all sort of very important questions like that. One of the most loaded questions I get is “What are you going to do with THAT degree?” I am a speech communications major and although I believe speech communications is great, for some strange reason nobody shares this mindset. I mean it’s not like when I graduate I will have a speech job at some communication factory somewhere. Things are very up for interpretation in relation to my future and, although I am a planner, I for some reason am ok with this.

                I have changed my major 4 times since the beginning of my college career, but in so many ways I think that’s what college is about. Don’t let people lie to you, college is not about getting good grades or even about declaring your major (although these things are great and beneficial after college). College is about figuring out who you are and what you are passionate about. If you are passionate about people and culture, like me, don’t major in something where you have to meticulously work with machines. It might be a good idea, however, to major in something that deals with communicating with those people or more completely understanding their culture. You may major in something that does not give you job security after you graduate, but if you major in something you are passionate about you will not suffer through school to get out and only realize you now hate your CAREER as much as you hated your classes. Remember that college is about finding YOURSELF. Don’t spend your time trying to make everyone else happy by choosing this or that major. Spend your time figuring out yourself. Start now! If you are like I was and have no idea where to start my advice is use your resources. At UT Tyler we have an amazing career counseling service out of our Student Counseling center. You take a test about what you want to do with your life, and they help you interpret the results. There are also online tests that can help you figure it out. If that doesn’t work you can look at strength quest. Strength quest is an assessment that focuses on you and what your strengths are. If you are not somebody who likes assessments and everything I just mentioned sounds terrible, then I suggest you start living your life and figure it out. You’ll figure it out sooner or later I’m sure. I mean I did and after moving past the 4 major changes I think I am pretty successful!