Help me choose a major, please?

<p>I'll be attending university next fall, and I've told myself that I would like to be decided on both a university and a major by Christmas of this year, which is seeming unlikely at the moment. I know it's not a big deal and that most people don't know for sure what they're going to major in when they enter school, but I feel as though I need to have a set path, or at least a decent general idea just to keep myself happy. As a kid, I've never really had a dream job or wanted to be anything when I wanted to grow up. I didn't really get into this mindset until recently when I researched careers and found some slight interest, which has since seemed to diminish. </p>

<p>First, I was interested in being a psychiatrist and going to medical school, until I saw a documentary made about Harvard medical school students and the hell they went through over their course. I decided then that I didn't think I would be able to handle the stress, or the tuition for that matter.</p>

<p>After this fell through I thought for a while about people I respected and what kinds of careers they held. I then realized that the two people I respect most and consider to be my kind of "mentors" are in fact my social sciences teachers in school. For a while I thought I would like to have the same effect on people as they have on me, which led to me considering Social Studies Education at the secondary level. The plus side is I have a great interest in social sciences, and they tend to be my strong points. The problem with this is if I decide to not reside here in the United States, which is a great possibility, as I would love to see more of the world and what it's really like compared to where I am now. I'm not 100% sure of how education systems of other countries would fair with this degree and whether or not it would be useless. Aside from this problem, I have this feeling that I wouldn't be able to put up with kids. I dislike most of the people I go to school with now, and I feel as though I would just continue to get stuck with kids I despise over and over. </p>

<p>So aside from Psychology and Education majors I've had a few more options.</p>

<p>Computer Science seems like it may be my calling at the moment. I know loads about computer hardware, but I feel like computer programming isn't really my thing. I work for a family member's IT company, where I fix computers for many law offices, hospitals, and other industries. Besides disliking programming, I'm also worried about the amount of math I'll have to use. Math isn't really my strongest subject. So far in high school I've completed up to Pre-Calculus, which I finished last year, but I am retaking the first half of the class which I received a D+ in, as I have to have at least a C in each class to be able to qualify to receive an academic honors diploma upon graduation. Math isn't really my strong point academically, and I really don't want it to get in the way of me being to succeed.</p>

<p>Political Science seems like another legitimate choice. I have a great interest for politics, government, and history, and a Poli Sci degree seems like it would be a good blending between the two. As I mentioned earlier, I have a great interest in social sciences, so I would almost feel guilty if I didn't get a degree in one. My biggest problem with this major is the fact that I wouldn't know what kind of career I could have. I feel as though my only choice is to go to law school and become a lawyer making a fairly low salary for the amount of money I'd have to invest in a fine education. </p>

<p>Besides these, I also have interests in film and music production as well, but I feel as though it would be difficult to land a job in these fields.</p>

<p>I'm just at the point now where I have no idea what to do and I feel as though there isn't really anyone I can turn to for help, as everyone just tells me to do what I feel like I need to do. The problem is, I have no idea what I need to do, because I have no idea what I want to do. So now, I turn to the members of this fine board for help.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>“Computer Science seems like it may be my calling at the moment. I know loads about computer hardware, but I feel like computer programming isn’t really my thing. I work for a family member’s IT company, where I fix computers for many law offices, hospitals, and other industries. Besides disliking programming, I’m also worried about the amount of math I’ll have to use. Math isn’t really my strongest subject. So far in high school I’ve completed up to Pre-Calculus, which I finished last year, but I am retaking the first half of the class which I received a D+ in, as I have to have at least a C in each class to be able to qualify to receive an academic honors diploma upon graduation. Math isn’t really my strong point academically, and I really don’t want it to get in the way of me being to succeed.”</p>

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<li>Based on this, I would advise you not to pursue “Computer Science” at the undergraduate level. First, there will be lots of programming - a necessary evil, perhaps, but why punish yourself? Second, hardware considerations are really secondary to CS. Third, the hardest (and most interesting!) parts of CS are basically applied mathematics… bordering on pure mathematics in some instances. If you’re not in love with math, these classes will be tedious and unpleasant; if you are not good at math, they will be bad for your GPA.</li>
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<p>Not all is lost, however. You might consider Computer Engineering. This major deemphasizes the programming and mathematics and emphasizes hardware and architecture. I think this might be a better fit for you than CS. There will be math and programming in CompEng, but not as much as in CS.</p>

<p>I agree with Auburn. If you dislike programming, CS probably isn’t for you. Computer Engineering could be a good route. You’ll still have to take a few programming classes, but mostly basic stuff. You’ll also have to take some math. Usually at least up to Differential Equations and Linear Algebra.</p>