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What do you want to be when you grow up? Chances are, if you ask most college freshmen this question, they will tell you, 'Undecided.' Most students go into college without a clear idea of what they will do with their education. This is more common than not. What is the reason for this?
With all the things you have to worry about your first year of college, deciding what you will study is one of the last to be made. But, with each passing year, it gets more and more important. While Mom and Dad are shelling out the cash for their kids' education, the kid might be drifting along without a clear plan.
There are certain core required classes, no matter what your major. These are basic math, science, history and language requirements. If you are just starting college and, like most of your peers, undecided, it is a good idea to take these classes. You will have to take them anyway, and you can get them out of the way before you need to decide on your major.
You may also be able to test out of some of these core classes. There is a test called the CLEP, which will allow you to skip some of these basic requirements. For example, if you are good at math, you can test out of the basic math classes everybody has to take. You can prove that you are competent and already know the stuff, and you get to skip right by.
Your first semester in college is more about learning your way around campus and college life than learning about math and English. Make an effort to familiarize yourself with the college library, so it will be easy to use when you need it. The first semester is the time to figure out how to do simple college things. Learn how to budget your time and meet deadlines, and how to effectively study for tests. College isn't like high school!
After you have gotten used to things and learned your way around, then you can start thinking about what you want to do with your life. Hardly anyone decides at first what they want to do. In fact, many people change majors halfway through. You will need to take some classes and see what appeals to you. There is no big hurry. Still, remember that the clock is ticking and you are paying for the time you're in college. It's best to start thinking about it in your second semester or after your first year. This is when you should be getting used to college life. You are a college student now, so it's time to look for where to go next.
You will be taking those core classes well into your second year, probably. It is good to get them out of the way at first. Then, you can spend the later half of your college career working on the classes for your major. The first thing to do is to get on top of things and take care of those core classes, then think about what direction you will take.
When you first land in college, you will have a lot of things to get used to, and nobody expects you to know exactly what you are doing at first. But, remember that the clock is ticking, and you owe it to whoever's paying for your school to set a goal and achieve it.
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