Think About a Second Major...

As I was shopping for the quintessential Texas A&M bumper sticker, I had a peculiar feeling enter the mass of complex tissues fixed in the center of my skull; the feeling was of an almost welcome confusion. After seeing all the stickers representing different Colleges at Texas A&M, a melody with a familiar chorus of “History is my major, but History is not necessarily me” rang with clairvoyant precision inside my head. Immediately other old notions of changing my major or selecting a minor came into the chorus, creating the usual atonal symphony of questions and thoughts regarding my academic career. Questions like these are always present among students on campus; whether or not they come in choruses are unknown. Still, I understand the sort of existential conundrums that are present. Most will combat the problem with following a major that is secure and on the market; some will remain indifferent to their major and just stay the course. How does a college student, with all that is required of them, effectively select a major? A major that challenges and engages them to makes the best of their academic college experience? Think about a second major.

Utilize elective hours. Most colleges at Texas A&M University require a certain surplus of elective credit hours. These are supposed to give you the chance to sample classes from other colleges, and hopefully help either reinforce your reasons for your current major or help you select a new one. This is the first place you should start if you are having thoughts about selecting a second major. My current major, History requires that I take 32 hours of free electives, including at least a 15 hour minor. With 32 elective hours, you have the freedom to choose a minor, but those hours could be well invested into near completion of a second major. Most majors include the same required courses that you will have completed with your current major. In addition to this, the majority of majors require between 33 or 36 hours of classes pertaining that field of study. The Liberal Arts College is vast and so are the interests of the people within it. The recommendation of a second major is even advised upon for those who are unsure of their major and those who find that a minor is not enough.

The benefits of having a second major could fulfill both your academic desire and create a greater eligibility for work after school. College is a time for academic discovery; try to experience the inner revelations that certain subjects might bring about. I hear of so many people that start off studying a subject they love, only to change to a major that is more job accessible; with a second major you have the ability to pursue an area of interest over security. We may never have the chance to return to an institution such as Texas A&M in our adult lives, so we might as well work as hard as we can, experience whatever interests you have and take chances with the roads less traveled. If anything, take advantage of the elective hours and utilize the flexibility of the degree plans.