[AmandaBroken]

As we get closer to the end of this school year I want to offer my help to those entering college in the fall. You may ask why me? It is because in the last four years I have seen people make mistakes after mistakes. They have taken classes they don't need and missed taking classes they did need. They waste the first year taking meaningless class and spending money on classes that have no future.

Now I know for some you will be required to take some classes. I advise you find out what these classes are and get them done quickly. Not everyone will need to do this. For me, I did not have to take any classes so I was able to start taking the classes I needed from day one. You need to check with the school you are planning to go to now. This can be done through the computer or the telephone. Don't wait until you arrive on campus. Plan now, plan smart.

A little more about my journey. I am going to graduate in about 4 weeks. I am a double major student. I will be getting my Bachelor's degree in both History and Psychology. You don't have to do this. I sacrificed a lot of things to accomplish this. I am also on the Student Council. I have been elected every year since I started as a freshman. I have been active in sports. Earning letters in Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, and Swimming. I have taken part in a lot of special events. Basically, I ate and slept for everything school related. I also did student mentoring. I taught/tutored at least 5 students every semester. I even got attacked by one of them. So be safe.

Another thing. I choose to go to a local college. But I was planning for more. But after my parents were killed by a drunk driver I was in no shape to go away from home. I was accepted at Notre Dame, Penn State, USC, and the Naval Academy among others. I do know what I am talking about. In June I start work on my Master's Degree. I am doing a double major again. In History and Counseling. I know I'm crazy. But I have a goal. I want to be a Psychologist and open a clinic for those who can't afford mental health care. That is my vision, and as the good book says, "Without a vision, the people will perish."

Remember this is just my opinion. But you need to choose wisely. Don't choose a major that holds no future. Believe me. A degree in Philosophy almost guarantees a worthless degree. There are majors that are worthless unless you're planning on becoming a grade school teacher. Please, I'm not saying that is a bad career choice. But if your goal is being a teacher choose a major that will equip you for the task. What do you want to do for the next 30 to 40 years? What is your goal? Create a goal and go for it. As they say. "Keep your eye on the bouncing ball."

I think I have a lot of experience on this subject. Feel free to ask me any question. I will do my best to give you the best answer I know. Remember this is only my opinion. I will not debate what I have said. I am willing to discuss it.

Thanks for listening...

Amanda

[reb569]

This is really great advice!

Not trying to be rude, but what's the point in a degree in History?

In fact, I would argue that if you're under 40, getting a degree in anything that isn't in science, mathematics, medical,or computers is a waste because robots might take over everything else decades from now and not to mention anything in those 4 categories are in high demand with high pay and they contribute a lot to humanity.

Also, majoring as an Entrepreneur is a good idea I think if you want to go your own route because it gives you the freedom to have your own schedule and make your own business and product without having to be ordered around by a boss your whole life while giving you the potential to change the world; this is the path I am ultimately planning on going.

I don't mean any offense and I know you want to help so that's good I just had to give my 2 cents

[AmandaBroken]

Originally Posted by DarknessIsMyFriend

Not trying to be rude, but what's the point in a degree in History?

In fact, I would argue that if you're under 40, getting a degree in anything that isn't in science, mathematics, medical,or computers is a waste because robots might take over everything else decades from now and not to mention anything in those 4 categories are in high demand with high pay and they contribute a lot to humanity.

Also, majoring as an Entrepreneur is a good idea I think if you want to go your own route because it gives you the freedom to have your own schedule and make your own business and product without having to be ordered around by a boss your whole life while giving you the potential to change the world; this is the path I am ultimately planning on going.

I don't mean any offense and I know you want to help so that's good I just had to give my 2 cents

I did the History major for my enjoyment "nothing more and nothing less." I love History and it was fun. I am also in a better position financially to afford to treat myself to this extra degree. So it was not a waste. Who knows I may end up as a History Professor.

Majoring as an Entrepreneur is not a good idea. You learn a lot of different things but not enough of what is needed for a better future. You could minor in that subject but major in something that has more promise for the future.

Amanda

[COguy]

One is generally better off to graduate with a degree in history, than flunk out of electrical engineering. Yes, one should be thinking about what their field of study will do for them once they graduate.

Besides the generalities, much of the details are learned as one starts the new job.

[Patagonia]

I'm not going to argue over which degree is better & which degree is "useless." I don't believe in the idea that any higher education degree is useless.
It shows an employer that you succeeded in reaching a degree instead of just a HS diploma. So a higher degree, no matter what it is, still today makes you more employable.
Whether you use that degree in your field or find other employment you still have the credentials of a higher degree.

[AmandaBroken]

Originally Posted by Patagonia

I'm not going to argue over which degree is better & which degree is "useless." I don't believe in the idea that any higher education degree is useless.
It shows an employer that you succeeded in reaching a degree instead of just a HS diploma. So a higher degree, no matter what it is, still today makes you more employable.
Whether you use that degree in your field or find other employment you still have the credentials of a higher degree.

I agree with much you said here, still why not start by getting a degree that will do more than show you endured 4 years of hard work. Make that degree count. Plan ahead. Be proactive and not reactive.

Originally Posted by AmandaBroken

I did the History major for my enjoyment "nothing more and nothing less." I love History and it was fun. I am also in a better position financially to afford to treat myself to this extra degree. So it was not a waste. Who knows I may end up as a History Professor.

Majoring as an Entrepreneur is not a good idea. You learn a lot of different things but not enough of what is needed for a better future. You could minor in that subject but major in something that has more promise for the future.

Amanda

I do agree that majoring as an Entrepreneur isn't always a good idea simply because most entrepreneur's that I've hear of including one that I used to know personally are college dropouts. Hell, Bill Gates and Zuckerburg are both dropouts, yet they are more successful and make more money than most people with Doctorates.

I do agree that minoring as an Entrepreneur is wise especially when combined with a major involving computers or technology of some kind where you can create a profitable service or product.

Being an Entrepreneur IS a harder path to take but it is potentially the most rewarding and is ultimately what I want to do because I find the idea of being ordered around my whole life by a company only to build up their dream rather than my own dreadful. I am going back to school for web design soon and I find being an entrepreneur goes perfectly well with web design with the abundance of profitable web sites and potential to make a killing off freelancing.

I just threw the entrepreneur part in there because it is a good alternative (or addition) to college.

[Patagonia]

Originally Posted by AmandaBroken

I agree with much you said here, still why not start by getting a degree that will do more than show you endured 4 years of hard work. Make that degree count. Plan ahead. Be proactive and not reactive.

Because people inevitably change. Change is the only consistent thing we have.

Yes I agree to be proactive. Pick a major you like, enjoy the work, focus.
But I'm at least 20 yrs past you. I'm a cynic. What I majored in college, which I really wanted to do, is not what I ended up doing. This happens to many people. There's burnout, life issues, etc & some people realize the plan they laid out has changed.
But having that degree is never a waste. It can't be taken away.
If a student is in school, jumping around in majors, wasting class credits...& money then I'd suggest a leave of absence till they figure out what exactly they want.

[Travelinglady]

As a former college professor, I have seen a number of students "waste" their college experience. Alas, these days it does seem important to choose majors carefully--and I do like the double major idea. (I double majored in English and in psychology.) My younger son tripled majored! (Whew.)

I think lots can be learned from attending college, but it's too expensive not to get as much out of it as possible. I think some parents push their kids into college before they are ready--emotionally and/or knowing their interests and abilities.

[AmandaBroken]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

As a former college professor, I have seen a number of students "waste" their college experience. Alas, these days it does seem important to choose majors carefully--and I do like the double major idea. (I double majored in English and in psychology.) My younger son tripled majored! (Whew.)

I think lots can be learned from attending college, but it's too expensive not to get as much out of it as possible. I think some parents push their kids into college before they are ready--emotionally and/or knowing their interests and abilities.

Thanks for sharing...

WOW a triple major I thought about it but I could never do it and sports and I liked to play sports...