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Almost two million high school students take the ACT college readiness assessment every year. ACT reports that two thirds of ACT tested high school students choose a major that does not fit their interests. Choosing the wrong major will result in the student taking extra classes, spending more money and wasting time. Here we outline the four best resources for choosing the perfect college major – one that fits you:
Career Counselors
It is an unfortunate fact that many high school students do not take advantage of their school career counselor. The time to visit a career counselor is at the beginning of high school, not the end. Career counselors can help identify your interests, evaluate your abilities and explore different career options. Most importantly, they can help you set obtainable goals for high school and college and create an action plan to reach these goals.
Online Resources
The internet offers thousands of college guide websites, many of which are loaded with ads and irrelevant information. The U.S. Dept. of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics offers the College Navigator as a resource to help students. This search portal allows students to search for schools by state, program, degree level and institution type. There are also additional resources, such as career advice and financial aid information.
Online Academic Programs
Choosing the perfect major is more than just choosing the right program or career. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that over 20 percent of students take online courses. Browse the courses offered online to see which ones fit your interests. Online degrees have some advantages over classroom-based teaching, as they are typically more affordable, convenient and flexible. They also reduce commuting needs and save time. Online schools offer the benefit of being able to study your ideal major from the comfort of your home. For example, it is entirely possible to obtain an online master’s in civil engineering (MSCE) through Ohio University. Being able to study online, while working full time and staying socially active, is a win-win situation.
Federal Student Aid
The U.S. Dept. of Education’s Federal Student Aid website allows students to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many students have limited finances and their choice of school depends on the financial aid available. The FAFSA application is very user-friendly and easy to complete. Students can research which colleges or universities they wish to attend and simply enter the school codes during the FAFSA application process.
In conclusion, some of the best educational resources for students choosing their major include a high school career counselor, online college guides, FAFSA and universities that offer online degrees.
This article was contributed by guest author Anica Oaks.