The Toughest College Question: What Should I Major In?
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Video discussing choosing a major from Dr. Hopkins
According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, 60% of first-year college students enter their higher education journey uncertain about what they want to study. If you're one of these freshmen, there's no need to fret. You are most definitely not alone. As anxiety-inducing as this feeling may be, it is normal and often part of finding your way as an adult and the college experience in general. Today, I want to talk about some ways to figure things out.
Take Your Time
Transitioning into college life can be daunting, and the pressure to declare a major can make it even more overwhelming. However, remember that there's no need to rush into a decision. The first year or two of college, often dedicated to taking General Education courses, is intentionally designed for students to explore various options.
During this time, embrace the opportunity to explore your interests, conduct research, read about different subjects, and even take career assessments. This time and space allows you to discover what truly resonates with you academically and professionally.
Gain Practical Experience
More than textbook or theoretical knowledge is needed to make a well-informed decision about your major. It's essential to step out of the classroom and gain real-world experience. Shadowing professionals, securing part-time jobs, and undertaking internships can provide invaluable insights into different careers. You will quickly figure out the things you like and do not like.
This firsthand exposure allows you to understand the daily realities of various fields of study and helps you gauge your genuine interest and aptitude for a particular area.
Embrace Flexibility
It's important to remember that changing your mind about your major is entirely acceptable. College is a period of self-discovery and personal growth, and it's common for students to realize that their initial choice isn't the right fit for them. Don't feel trapped in a choice of major because you were sure about it when you entered college or because your friends and family are convinced this is your best path.
Be open to the idea that your academic and career interests may evolve. As you and your perspective grow, it is natural for your interests, skills, and passions to evolve too. Even adults in their 50s often find themselves reassessing their career paths. Therefore, don't put undue pressure on yourself to have it all figured out from the start.
College: A High-Stakes Game
The modern world significantly emphasizes higher education as a pathway to success. It is true that very frequently, individuals with a college degree will earn more over a lifetime than those without. However, college can be fraught with stress and anxiety as you grapple with finding your direction, especially during your first two years.
It's essential to take a deep breath and remember you have time to figure things out. Reflect on your passions, consider the financial aspects, and weigh the time commitment required for your chosen major. You'll navigate the intricate college journey with patience and a systematic approach and emerge with a clearer sense of purpose.
Unlocking Your Future: The Power of Critical Thinking
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The Power of Critical Thinking Video
If there is only one skill you take away from college that will most positively impact your life beyond the four walls of higher education, it is critical thinking. This skill will travel with you anywhere, in any career you pursue. Critical thinking is a cornerstone of intellectual growth and enlightenment, fostering the ability to engage with ideas without necessarily embracing them. Albert Einstein once said, "It is a characteristic of an educated mind to be able to entertain a position without accepting it."
Listening and Understanding the Other Side
The act of critical thinking goes beyond mere acceptance or rejection of ideas. Instead, it involves deliberate engagement with concepts, even those that may contradict one's existing beliefs. To be able to openly evaluate and consider opinions different from yours without bias or emotion demonstrates a level of intellectual maturity very few people possess in our modern world. When you have this skill, it sets the stage for an exploration of thoughts, ideas, and cultural understanding that will enrich and expand your mind.
Embracing Intellectual Openness
The ability to entertain diverse positions demonstrates a willingness to engage with a spectrum of ideas. An educated mind understands that knowledge is multifaceted and complex, acknowledging that solutions to intricate problems often lie in the consideration of contrasting viewpoints. This approach fosters intellectual growth as individuals broaden their horizons and grasp the nuances underlying various perspectives. When you possess this skill, is will garner respect from others and expand your intellect.
Guarding Against Cognitive Bias
Critical thinking safeguards against cognitive bias—a natural inclination to favor ideas that align with one's preconceived notions. By welcoming alternative viewpoints without immediate acceptance, individuals can objectively assess ideas and recognize their biases' limitations. This process encourages a more balanced and informed decision-making process. To do this effectively requires humility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to consider all options in your decision-making process. Putting aside our emotions, especially on passionately-discussed topics, is no easy task, but the most educated and skilled thinkers can do this. Challenge yourself to be one of these elite thinkers.
Nurturing Analytical Skills
Engaging with differing positions sharpens analytical abilities. It compels individuals to scrutinize evidence, weigh arguments, and evaluate the validity of claims. Such analytical acumen is vital in navigating the vast sea of information in today's information age. An educated mind discerns the content of ideas and the underlying logic and evidence supporting them.
In conclusion, the art of critical thinking extends beyond mere knowledge acquisition. It reflects the mark of an educated mind—the capacity to explore a breadth of ideas without necessarily adopting them. Intellectual maturity involves engaging constructively with opposing viewpoints, fostering open-mindedness, guarding against bias, and honing analytical skills. As society navigates a rapidly evolving landscape of information and perspectives, the value of critical thinking in fostering educated minds remains indispensable.
Make Writing Your Superpower & You Will Become Unstoppable
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In academia, you have heard it a million times. You must learn to write well. Eye-rolls and a dismissive sure-thing professor often accompany this. However, humor me for about three minutes. Writing transcends mere words on a page; it becomes a conduit for your formalized thinking and intellectual development. Embracing the significance of honing your writing skills is a gateway to enhancing critical thought processes, fostering effective communication, and ultimately empowering yourself in various spheres of life.
Writing is Formalized Thinking
It doesn't matter if you write a discussion forum post, journal, or formal essay. Writing is much more than a mere communication tool; writing is formalized thinking in action. When you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, you externalize your thoughts, transforming abstract concepts into tangible expressions. This process necessitates a profound engagement with your subject matter. It prompts you to delve deep, analyze complexities, and distill intricate ideas into coherent narratives. By channeling your thoughts through writing, you create a structured framework for your ideas, enabling both yourself and your readers to grasp and explore concepts with greater clarity.
Writing is a Catalyst for Thought, Analysis, and Articulation
Writing is a dynamic exercise that propels you to dissect, evaluate, and synthesize information. Crafting sentences and paragraphs, you engage in a mental workout that sharpens your analytical faculties. Each phrase becomes an opportunity to refine your arguments, validate your claims, and draw logical connections. This rigorous process deepens your understanding of the subject matter and hones your ability to articulate complex ideas concisely and persuasively. By navigating this process, you cultivate a skillset that extends far beyond the realm of writing and equips you for success in any arena that demands precise, critical, and coherent communication.
Winning Beyond Writing
Mastering the art of writing increases the chance for success in various domains. Effective writing immerses readers in a world of ideas just as a skilled actor immerses themselves in character to captivate an audience. You learn the power of influence when you create a persuasive narrative through writing. This skill is transferable; whether convincing a professor of your argument's validity or presenting a business proposal to potential stakeholders, the ability to construct a compelling narrative will prove invaluable. The tenacity and attention to detail cultivated through mastering writing parallel the determination required to triumph in any endeavor.
In conclusion, embracing writing as a serious pursuit leads to a realm of boundless intellectual and professional empowerment. Writing is not a standalone skill; it's a catalyst for formalized thinking, a crucible for analysis, and a vehicle for articulation. The lessons learned in constructing compelling narratives echo through your life, shaping your ability to influence, persuade, and succeed. Your mastery of writing has the potential to win over minds, shape your destiny, and bolster your effectiveness in countless scenarios. Take every opportunity you are given in college, regardless of the topic, to write at your highest level. It will pay dividends in the long run.
The Power of Consistency in Passing this Course and Earning a Degree
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In pursuing success in this course, college, and beyond, recognize you build monumental achievements on the foundation of persistent and incremental efforts. One well-known axiom, "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated daily," could be labeled a universal educational truth. This principle highlights the significance of consistency as a driving force behind realizing your goals in higher education. It isn't the smartest, the student with the highest SAT score, or the most academically gifted student that wins in the long run. The student that earns a college degree is almost always the student that applies the best they have within them, day in and day out.
The Framework of Small Efforts
At first glance, the notion of success being a culmination of small, daily endeavors may appear counterintuitive. We often associate success with grand feats and dramatic accomplishments. Yet, the essence of success lies in the consistency of our actions. Each small effort contributes to a larger tapestry of progress, ultimately shaping our trajectory. This framework asserts that greatness is not an overnight phenomenon but a result of the commitment to taking consistent baby steps forward.
The Role of Repetition in Skill Mastery
Repetition is the mother of learning. Consistency extends its influence to skill acquisition and mastery. Whether mastering an instrument, perfecting a sport, or building solid study habits, repeated practice forms the bedrock of excellence. The daily dedication to refining techniques, even in the face of challenges, cultivates expertise. Skills and actions become ingrained through consistent repetition, and things like studying and submitting work on time, which was once a struggle, transform into second nature.
Sustaining Motivation and Overcoming Obstacles
Consistent effort fosters skill development and strengthens resilience and determination. The road to success in college is riddled with obstacles, setbacks, and moments of doubt. College graduates are not made in the easy semesters when life goes well, but in those challenging semesters when bills, personal struggles, health setbacks, or other things impede your road to success, yet, you persist. In such moments, the discipline of consistent action acts as a guiding light. Regardless of the challenges, showing up daily builds a mental fortitude that propels us forward.
The Ripple Effect of Consistency
Beyond personal development, consistent efforts' influence extends to our impact on others and our surroundings. As you lead by example, demonstrate unwavering commitment, and actively participate in each module of work we dive into. When you do this, you move others around you to do the same. Others witness the performance that can arise from the power of consistency and are motivated to elevate their performance. Moreover, the ripple effect of positive habits and incremental growth permeates the classroom. As you reflect on the great classes you have taken throughout your education, it was probably some combination of instructor, students, and community all coming together in a way that led to meaningful outcomes for you.
A Mindset Worth Pursuing
In conclusion, success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out, encapsulates the essence of achievement. The heart of this notion lies in acknowledging that even the loftiest of aspirations, or even just passing your humanities course, is attainable through consistent and persistent actions. By embracing a mindset centered around the power of constant effort, we unlock the door to lasting success. Best of luck this semester!
Additional Notes & Resources
All questions and commentary specific to a course you may be enrolled in right now should be posted and contained inside of the course! This is generalized academic resources and commentary about success in college.
Stabler, Christine M., MD, MBA. “Brain Power: 10 Tips for Creating Good Study Habits.” Penn Medicine, Lancaster General Health. LancasterGeneralHealth.org. 30 Aug 2021. Link to article.