<p>I'm currently a sophomore and a Biotechnology student. For my whole life I've wanted to study medicine. I originally was pre-med but then switched to a concentration on medical research because I don't think med school is for me (I worked in the ER, hated it). Now, I am struggling to keep up with my classmates and I'm miserable. I don't find joy in any of my classes, I just go through the motions and the stress is beginning to affect my health. My GPA is sinking lower and lower and I'm thinking I should switch my major to something a little less math/science oriented, but that is still challenging. I'm not really good at anything in particular though.</p>
<p>These are possible majors/concentrations I am considering:
journalism
psychology
international relations (i'm guessing this is actually a branch of poli sci)
anthropology
philosophy
advertising/public relations</p>
<p>I know these are kind of all over the place but I was wondering if anyone who is one of these majors has any advice or information to share? What would you recommend? I know some of these are a little bit more practical than others, too.</p>
<p>As far as practicality goes, journalism and advertising will be your best bets for actually getting a job. If you still like science, but can’t handle the rigors of your current major, psych and anthropology could be good matches since most programs will let you choose to emphasize in neuroscience/cognitive science or forensic anthropology. Philosophy and international relations seem a little out there for a science person. Philosophy is laregely useless unless you want to go to grad school or law school, and everyone always thinks international relations is fun at first, but most people wind up hating it after a few classes (besides that, you really need at least an MA to have a shot of doing anything in the field).</p>
<p>You are not alone. My son and my nephew are in a similar situation. Both had planned on science-based majors, but are having difficulty with the calculus requirements. This has affected their GPAs. They haven’t even gotten to the actual science courses yet. (They are at the same university, but don’t necessarily have the same courses). Math has always been my son’s most weakest subject although he did well in the hard sciences in high school under a good, tough teacher.</p>
<p>Both are already reconsidering just because of the math and physical science portions. But they are worried about making a living one day - the “practical” part. Neither of them wants to give up something science-based because they like it but think a strong math-based program may not be for them. They breeze through anything history, anthro, etc. (can’t stand psych), and just love those things but fear that a strictly liberal arts major would not necessarily hold their interests, either, and that they will never be able to make a living - I think they are feeling the pressure because of the economy now. The practicality of finding a future job is really causing them concern.</p>
<p>So what IS a kid in college supposed to do if he doesn’t necessarily want a strictly “traditional” liberal arts degree but is not necessarily super awesome at math? Or maybe some sciences? Seems like these kids are left with few options…</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback agc0319. I was actually planning on applying to grad school, that’s why i’m so concerned about my GPA. It seems like to get any job now, you have to be overqualified. I’m really worried about being able to find something when I get out, but I don’t know. I’m starting to consider law school, not that I think it will be easier than med school, and I know I will always have hard classes, but I think being a lawyer would be a good field to get into. What should I major in for law school?</p>
<p>And I’m so sorry top hear your boys are going through the same struggles fried pasta. I wish I had some advice, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one at a loss here :[</p>
<p>friedpasta, maybe your sons can take the Calculus course at a community college. I took Calculus I at my school (UT Austin) and struggled mainly because we only had three midterms and a final and I didn’t know how much of a curve there would be at the end so I decided to drop it. I took it again during the winter break (a little under four weeks) and made an A in the Calculus course at my community college.</p>
<p>Sad that the Calculus requirement stops some from getting into the business school or from taking further science classes. IMO, the only reason it’s required is for pre-med students who have to take physics.</p>