<p>I hope this doesn't sound like a dumb question, but seriously, this has been bothering me for the past 11 months. There are subjects that I'm very good at, but wouldn't really care to make a career out of or research while in college. Then, there are subjects that I (ironically) really enjoy, but I'm not so strong in them as others are in that major. </p>
<p>Of course, and as worn out as this has been said, the key to success if whether or not you enjoy what you're doing. But is it exactly smart to be jumping into a major in something you're not very strong in but you'd enjoy nonetheless? Currently, that's what I've done, but I don't want to end up making the biggest mistake of my lfie and screwing up my whole future by failing out of my top choice major(s).</p>
<p>what are you good at that you dont nescessarily enjoy? and what are you not too good at that you actually do enjoy? just curious. it might help people answer you.</p>
<p>You may not be really strong in it now, but isn't that why you're going to college? To learn & stretch yourself? If you major in something you enjoy, you'll work harder, learn more and eventually find out that you've become good at it.</p>
<p>I want to do something math/econ related, perhaps major in one and minor in the other. </p>
<p>Chedva--</p>
<p>I see your point and that's what I've been trying to convince myself of. :) I've become intimidated, though, by those pursuing similar majors as me. I'm not bad at all in either math or economics, but I don't want to be getting too far ahead of myself and end up struggling profusely with my major.</p>
<p>At most colleges you don't have to declare your major until the end of your sophomore year. Use these next two years to explore. You may actually find out that you're good and enjoy something you never even thought of. It's way too early to worry about it now.</p>
<p>Chedva, the college I'm going to be attending requires that you make your choice in major in the college application, as work in that major begins freshman year :-/</p>
<p>And there's no opportunity to change your major? That's absurd. Talk about this in depth with your freshman advisor; you may have misunderstood. What school is it?</p>
<p>You want to major in math/econ because those are the lucrative majors that trains future businessmen who make loads of money. Don't keep that as a secret- it's fine if people are ambitious and money hungry. Too many of my undergrad interviewees are afraid of admitting that.</p>
<p>To your original question, I suggest you major in something you are first and foremost GOOD at, then the enjoyment part will follow. If you're majoring in something that you're not really good at but you THINK you enjoy, well think again. Chances are there's other motives pulling you in the wrong direction. If your best subject is English, then major in that. Don't feign a math/econ major just to fool your employer. We're not stupid.</p>
<p>Chedva, there are opportunities to change your major but it's a tough process and not guaranteed (at the school I'll be attending). Also, if I were to change majors a year or two into another major, then I'd have to start from ground zero all over again, which would set me back. The school I'm going to is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.</p>
<p>I'm actually not concerned with money at all. What's driving me most right now is actually to become a teacher, and as we know, teachers aren't at the top of the food chain when it comes to money.</p>
<p>As for economics, there are numerous paths I can take. Money is not what's in sight for me. I'm looking for versatility in majors I can ENJOY, not simply do well and be bored in.</p>
<p>Whatsup, you know what? There's no need to convince me since I'm just a poster on CC and it doesn't matter if I believed you. Let's just say I do.</p>
<p>But I will tell you this--if I were interviewing you and you told me that, I'd be real suspicious. Guess what 85% of my interviewees tell me their future plans are? Be a high school teacher (or more commonly, a professor). Somehow that makes them seemingly less greedy and ambitious. But again, we're not idiots. If you want to get in tell us the truth. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be a millionaire, but only if you show enough capability to be one. If you're just incapable, lazy, young and ambitious, that's an immediate turn off.</p>
<p>I'd still advise you to major in something you love. Hard work is more important to your future success than innate talent is. I know some kids at the top of my class who had a real hard time in their careers because they didn't really know how to work. I know kids at the middle to bottom of my class who ultimately succeeded because they were used to working hard. And you'll also enjoy what you are doing. That's worth everything.</p>
<p>Sergio, I have zero problem telling the truth, especially on a message board where I'm only known as name and nothing more. I'd think that the more greedy and ambitious one portrays him/herself as, the more appealing he/she becomes for the job. But hey, you can just be BSing me that that's what 85% of your interviewees say. Although there's no need to convince me since I'm just a poster on CC and it doesn't matter if I believed you :) </p>
<p>As an interviewer, it's good to be critical, honest, and to the point, but you mustn't assume EVERY "young and ambitious" person is some naive fool trying to kid himself into money-hungry "success", which is the vibe I'm getting as that was assumed onto me. </p>
<p>Right, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be a millionaire, but it's not unrealistic to expect someone NOT wanting to be a millionaire. </p>
<p>Sergio, did you ever consider that there's really that many people out there who feel that way when they start out? I know I want to be a professor. Why? Because I can't imagine ever feeling like I don't want to be researching and learning. Maybe that's the kind of people you want to accept from an interview, the kind that actually have a desire to learn new things. Don't assume everyone is money hungry. I'd rather live on Ramen Noodles and buy second hand clothes as a college professor, than have the nicest of everything working in a field that numbed my mind.</p>
<p>i used to believe that it was okay to major in something you're not good at, but enjoys, and that it would be nice to take on a challenge. well, i enjoyed it at that moment, but once the test and grades came, it really killed my pride. i've been struggling in pre-engineering for about two years, and i'm finally finding out i actually don't like it anymore. even if i did like it before, the frustration and tiredness and the lack of social life i'm getting out of college is killing me. even if i work my butt off, i only get mediocre grades, compared to the ones who don't work as hard but they just get it, because they're simply naturally good at it. i stay up real late, all i ever do is homework, i don't have time to socialize, and i'm still doing bad. when i went into college, i wanted to study abroad, dorm, make lots of friends, join clubs, do internships. but i've become a sad bookworm who can't even get the grades. i don't regret doing it, because it has taught me a lot, but i actually wanted a better college experience. so for the rest of my college life, i'm going to do something i'm naturally good at, and sergio is right, you'll get happy seeing yourself be successful in your major. </p>
<p>so, if you really wanted to do math/econ, don't let anyone on this board stop you. but you should just follow your instincts. i had a slight instinct that i shouldn't have tried to get into engineering, but i figured i had some time to kill so i guess that's why i did what i did. kinda dumb. but oh well. whatever you decide to do , i wish you good luck. :)</p>