QUEZON City, Philippines (September 2) – Dreaming of what you want to be when you grow up is easy but determining what course you must take in college for you to be able to achieve your dream is not what “easy” looks like.
Based on experience, I was so nervous about choosing a course because I was then still unsure of what I really want to be when I grow up. I always wanted to be an embalmer but they do not offer a course about it so then I decided to go for Mass Communications.
And because I do not excel much when it comes to numbers and formulas, I thought that being a Mass Communications student do not require numbers since all we have to do is communicate.
I was definitely wrong.
The first two years of my college life was all about minor subjects which I find quite difficult back then since I was still immature. When my junior year came, that’s the toughest year I ever had. There were a lot of pressure, faults, conflict and deadlines! And now as I stepped into my last year here in the university, I couldn’t say something about it yet because I am just halfway through the journey but I sure am determined to graduate next year. Sure college life is difficult because it is a stage in your life wherein you’re one step closer to the real world, but with the right guide and heads up, you’ll just be fine.
Wikihow recommends 8 easy tips so freshies can get on the right track on what can be the right college course for them. Here’s the list of what you might consider if you’re a fresh starter:
- What interests you? List the fields of study that interest you, and come up with a list of courses you would consider studying based on these interests. Add the topics that you were most interested in during school as well as jobs that you envied others for.
- The internet, newspapers, television and people around you are the best sources of information. Check online about the courses you are interested in and find out about the career prospects and the other info. Speak to people who are in your interested profession and find out what it is to choose your future career. People who have completed university courses can give you an insight from a student’s perspective – they can tell you the pros and cons.
- Course content. To avoid making mistakes, make sure you review the course outline of the course(s) you want to apply for. Have a look at the subjects you must undertake and the types of learning, assignments and examination tasks involved. This will enable you to form a rough idea of what lies ahead for you.
- University quality. If you are set on going to a particular university, don’t let this completely dictate your course selection. Compare course outlines and studying facilities between universities to make sure you make the right choice for your educational needs and preferences. If possible, visit the university and attend some of the lectures to get a feeling of what some of the subjects will be like.
- Course duration. To be certain that you will be committed to your studies, find out the duration of your course. Taking double-degrees, full time or part-time depends on your personal choice. Ensure that you will be able to balance your other priorities along with education. Study flexibility varies amongst universities.
- Entry requirements. It is more difficult to get accepted into competitive courses, especially those which are in high demand. This is a good measure of whether you are actually capable of doing well in the course or not. Unfortunately, some courses are too hard to get in to, or just too hard to actually succeed in completing, so be honest with your course selection. You should research other universities or similar courses if you are not confident in being accepted into your first preference course.
- Cost of study. Affordability is another aspect you need to consider while deciding on your course, as well as the additional costs that occur, such as text books, field trips etc. However, do not let cost hamper your career choice, as there are a number of financial assistance options available to complete the course.
- Career opportunities. Look at the career prospects of the course before selecting one. Consider various factors such as income, job security, stress, responsibility and other benefits while researching a profession. It is also useful to find out if a future employer will invest in your education.
Here are the tips from yours truly:
Do not ever take a course just because your friends are going to take it. Do not just think twice; think about it a thousand times. Do not take a course just because the line of work after college is “in demand”. Choose a course which really interests you. Choose a course wherein you know you can boost your talents and skills. You can have friends along the way so worry not because you sure will never be alone as you go on in your college life.
Do not get pressured because of your parents. Yes, they want what’s best for you but it’s your future we’re talking about here, not your parents. If they insist a course that you don’t want, say it and explain why. In the end, your choice matters.
Do not be afraid to make mistakes. You’ll most likely change courses-even careers! As you go along, so don’t be overly fixated on any one course. No one course is the end all and be all. There are numerous examples of people out there who majored in one thing and built a career or three out of another.
I strongly recommend that you pray about it. Ask God what He wants you to take. He knows the right one for you.
(Written by Joana Joyce T. Marcaida, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)