What to Study in College: Charting Your Course to Success

Picture this: You’re a recent high school graduate enjoying your summer at the pool when a sudden reality dawns on you… you haven’t decided what to study in college. Enjoyment turns to stress as you begin to realize you don’t know what your future is going to look like. If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place!

The pressure to pick the “perfect” major can seem overwhelming when entering the world of college. We get it; you’ve only got the next four years to figure out what you want to do with the REST of your life (okay, it’s not that serious). Still, this decision will ultimately set a course for where you’ll take your professional career. 

We at Varsity Tutors are here to provide a reliable guide you can use to find your ideal career path, eliminating the stress of a cloudy future. You are not alone in this journey, so let’s find a major that makes sense to you!

Get to Know Yourself – It’s All About YOU

Before diving into the wide array of majors out there, take a moment to reflect on who you are and what you enjoy. This step is crucial – after all,  who knows you better than YOU? Think about your values, aspirations, and natural skills. This will help you at least begin to narrow down your list of potential majors (this seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many students feel obligated to pursue a particular degree simply because they had good grades in that subject during high school). Who knows, after some reflection, you may even discover new interests you didn't know existed! 

Ready to get started? Check out this list of questions to help guide you along the threshold from high school to college.

What makes you naturally curious?

What topics spark your interest? What do you annoy your friends with by talking about incessantly? Do you find yourself losing track of time while reading about certain subjects? 

Identifying what you’re inherently passionate about is a great starting point for choosing a major! Your natural curiosity will fuel your motivation to learn and excel in your chosen field. Who says class can’t be fun?

Even if you have little experience with a particular topic, pursuing what you're innately curious about is never a bad idea. College is your time to develop new skills, so don't stress if you feel completely "unqualified" to chase a certain degree (anyone who has ever been great at anything was once “unqualified” at some point in their lives).

Once accepted into college, your high school resume essentially becomes irrelevant. You’ll have the luxury of a clean slate to fill with whatever you want, so follow your natural curiosity! After all, it’s not often we get the opportunity to hit the refresh button on our education.

What subjects did you enjoy in school?

Think back to a time in high school when you thought to yourself, “Okay, this subject isn’t so bad after all.” Identifying the subjects you liked (or at least tolerated) in middle and high school can give you valuable insight into the types of classes you may enjoy in college. 

If you found a particular subject interesting in high school, we can almost guarantee it will be even more exciting to study on a college campus. Colleges offer more nuanced, in-depth courses on specific topics. What may have been a passing interest in high school can blossom into a full-blown obsession in college. What’s more, professors in college are often experts in particular fields (as opposed to those who are simply passionate about teaching), which will allow you to learn on a much deeper level.

For example, you may have been interested in political science during high school, but you only got to spend one chapter of a lesson learning about it. In a college setting, you can break that down into sub-disciplines, such as foreign policy, practical politics, gender politics, etc., where you'll spend entire semesters learning about them. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to becoming the next great policymaker.

What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

One of the wonderful aspects of college is the sheer volume of available majors to pursue, many of which may overlap with some of your everyday hobbies. Are you a die-hard sports fan, an aspiring artist, an outdoor enthusiast, or an avid gamer? Whatever you enjoy spending your free time on, know there is most likely a pursuable degree in a related field. If you’re going to spend the next four years (maybe longer) of your life in classrooms, it might as well be spent studying something you genuinely connect with.

Exploring these options can lead you to exciting, unexpected, and fulfilling academic paths. When in doubt, your preferred hobbies and extracurricular activities will always be a reliable source of inspiration when deciding where to take your career. What’s the saying?

“Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

What are you already awesome at?

Take a moment to put aside your interests and hobbies – it’s time to pat yourself on the back. What skills just seem to come naturally to you, both inside and outside the classroom? Are you a natural problem solver, a creative thinker, or a skilled communicator? Identifying your strengths can help you narrow down potential majors and careers where you can truly excel.

Choosing your major based on your existing skillset allows you to hone your skills and expand your knowledge in an area that already suits you. 

Pro Tip! Choosing a major is. Many students change their majors during their college years, and that's perfectly normal. The key is to set a foundation, be open to exploration, and allow your interests and passions to guide you. The rest will fall into place.

Education & Workforce Trends in 2024

Still feeling a bit unsure about what to study? No problem; Varsity Tutors is here to help. Sometimes, all we need is a little inspiration from outside sources. We've compiled a raft of the most common majors and careers college students are pursuing in 2024. 

Remember, these are only a few of the thousands of career opportunities you will have at your disposal, but this may help you find a place to start your journey.

Most Popular College Majors in 2024

Are you curious about what your peers are studying? Whether you’re planning on taking online college classes or enjoying the on-campus lifestyle, these are five of the most popular majors college students are declaring for in 2024:

• Business. Arguably the most popular major out there, business remains a classic for a reason. A degree in business equips you with a broad understanding of business principles, management strategies, and leadership skills, making you a valuable asset in various industries.
• Nursing. Nursing is the go-to major if you’re passionate about healthcare, as it opens up opportunities in virtually every healthcare sector. Careers include direct patient care, research, education, and administration.
• Psychology. Are you fascinated by the human mind? Ever wonder why people do what they do? If so, psychology is right up your alley. This major opens doors to diverse career paths in healthcare, education, research, and counseling (If you’re intrigued by the mental health and wellness space, this is the path for you).
• Engineering. Engineering may be your desired path if you’re a tech guru with a knack for building and creating. It encompasses various disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering. These majors provide you with the technical skills to design, build, and maintain complex systems.
• Computer Science. Unsurprisingly, computer science is a highly sought-after degree as the tech space continues to blossom rapidly. With this degree, you develop the foundational knowledge and skills needed for careers in software development, data science, cybersecurity, and other tech-related fields.

Most Popular Careers in 2024

Trends in the job market have predictably veered toward tech and AI-driven careers, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. There will always be a market for what makes you uniquely you. That said, these are five of the most coveted careers college students pursue in 2024:

• Software developer. With the ever-growing reliance on technology, software developers are in high demand across various industries. They create, code, and test the applications and programs we use on a daily basis.
• Data science. If data is the modern-day version of gold, then data scientists are the prospectors. They collect, analyze, and interpret vast amounts of data to uncover valuable insights that drive business decisions and innovations.
• Nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners play a vital role in providing primary and specialty care – think of them as healthcare superheroes. They offer a unique blend of medical expertise and compassionate patient care, making them highly sought-after professionals in the healthcare industry.
• Marketing specialist. Are you interested in brand building, designing campaigns, and growing a business organically? You may be on your way to becoming a marketing specialist. Their creativity and analytical skills are essential for driving business growth in the digital age.
• Financial analyst/advisor. Financial analysts/advisors are experts in all things money. They are the backbone of the financial industry, providing expert advice on investments, analyzing market trends, and managing financial risks. They say money makes the world go round, but none of that would be possible without financial analysts.

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Your Major Does Not Have to Be Your Career Path

That was a lot of information to take in, but hopefully, you now have a better sense of what type of career you want to pursue. Having said that, if there’s one piece of information you take away from this blog, it should be this: 

Choosing a major is not a race, nor is it the end-all and be-all of your career. 

You don't need to enter college with your entire career path already mapped out. Let us stress that again: you don’t need to enter college with your entire career path mapped out. 

In fact, many students begin their college journey as "undeclared," exploring different courses and disciplines before settling on a major. Doing so allows you to dabble in various subjects and discover new passions. This path has worked for countless students in the past, and it could very well work out for you too!

And even when you decide on a major, it does not have to dictate where your career will ultimately go. Plenty of people graduate with a degree in one field and wind up working professionally in an entirely unrelated field. No matter your major, you will always be required to take classes outside of that discipline, so it's good to get comfortable learning different subjects anyway! The skills you develop along the way—such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication—will take you further professionally than any piece of paper will.

The path to choosing a college major can feel like navigating uncharted territory. But remember, you're not alone on this journey. Take a deep breath, explore your options, and trust your instincts. With thoughtful consideration and the support of resources like Varsity Tutors, you'll discover the path that leads to a fulfilling and successful future. Remember, your college years are a time for growth and self-discovery—embrace the adventure!

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