Written by Christopher Parsons, M.A. in English, Founder of The College Planning Center. With over 25 years in education, Christopher has guided thousands of families through the admissions journey.
Key Notes
- Perspective is the foundation of how to choose a major in college.
- Thinking about myself helps me figure out what college major is right for me.
- Exploration is part of the answer for every undecided major.
- College fit matters as much as major choice—compare liberal arts college vs university to find yours.
- The journey of choosing a major never ends; confidence grows through curiosity and reflection.
Perspective: The Missing Piece in College Planning
Perspective is a funny thing.
The first time I walked the Camino, I was a cocky graduate student convinced I was going to change the world. I can still remember writing my best-selling novel in my head as my feet trod that well-worn path in Spain.
The second time I was lucky enough to find my way on the Camino was in the midst of Covid, and I had my recent high school graduate son Holden to share the experience with.
The path remained the same, but I was not. I carried almost 30 years—and all the experiences that came in those years—on my back along with my pack. To say that I saw things differently on my second Camino would be an understatement. So much in life is about perspective.
Even as I replayed my major life decisions during those hours of solitude on the trail, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would have made the same choices had I been granted the wisdom that only time and experience can bring. But that’s not the way things work.
And that’s exactly the challenge every student faces when trying to choose a college or a major—they must make decisions that shape their future long before they’ve lived enough of it to know what truly matters most.
If you’re an undecided major searching for direction, you’re not alone—finding your path starts with curiosity and reflection.
Learning how to choose a major in college begins with understanding this: perspective changes everything.
The Challenge: Making Big Decisions with Limited Perspective
High school students are asked to make some of the most important decisions of their young lives at a time when their perspective is still developing. They’re told to “find a good fit,” “pursue their passions,” or “choose a practical major,” but what happens when they’re still discovering who they are?
The truth is, perspective doesn’t come pre-packaged with age or GPA—it grows from curiosity, reflection, and experience. That’s why the first step in building a thoughtful college list isn’t about acceptance rates or rankings—it’s about learning more about yourself.
If you’re thinking, “I don’t know what to major in,” or asking friends to “help me pick a major,” you’re not alone. Every undecided major begins here—between curiosity and uncertainty—wondering what college major is right for me.
Step 1 — Explore Your Story: The Foundation of How to Choose a Major in College
Every Camino pilgrim walks the same path in their own way, and every student’s journey to college should tell their own story.
For every undecided major, this step is essential—it’s where you begin to connect your experiences and values to potential fields of study.
Ask yourself:
- What experiences have shaped me so far?
- When have I felt most challenged—and most alive?
- What subjects or activities make me lose track of time?
Start keeping a self-reflection journal to record your reactions to classes, jobs, volunteer work, or even books and podcasts. You will start to see patterns that show what you are naturally interested in and what you value. These are important things to think about when choosing a college and a major.
Journaling and Reflection for Undecided Students
Writing in a journal can help you find out what makes you happy and what major is best for you. It’s not enough to know the answer; you have to figure out how to get there
Step 2 — Seek New Experiences: Discover What Motivates You Before Choosing a Major
- You won’t know what you’re good at or what you like until you try new things. Think about::
- Shadowing or interning with experts in other fields.
- Taking a free online class in a subject that has always interested you.
- Joining a club, doing community service, or working on a creative project that makes you step outside your comfort zone.
These explorations help an undecided major discover what sparks real motivation and where their natural strengths shine.
Like the unexpected hills and detours on the Camino, new experiences can shift your understanding of what motivates you—and what drains you. Both are valuable insights when you’re figuring out how to know what to study in college.
Career Aptitude Tests and Major Exploration Tools
Trying new experiences can help you pick a major with confidence. Tools like YouScience, 16Personalities, or a career aptitude test for high schoolers can reveal your natural strengths and narrow your choices when deciding how to choose a major in college.
Step 3 — Define What “Fit” Really Means When Choosing a College and Major
College marketing brochures will tell you about rankings and outcomes, but your version of “fit” should go deeper. Think about:
- Academic Fit: What kind of learning environment helps you thrive—small seminars or large lectures?
- Social Fit: Do you want a busy campus or a close-knit group of friends
- Purpose Fit: Does the school’s culture align with your goals, values, or faith?
Knowing what “fit” means will help you make a college list that feels right for you, whether you want a liberal arts college or a university, or a bigger, research-focused campus.
Use our college fit finder to compare schools that match your learning preferences, social goals, and personal values—it’s a great tool for any undecided major.
Academic Fit — Liberal Arts College vs University
Students get one-on-one help at small colleges and liberal arts programs, and they can change their minds about their majors. On the other hand, bigger universities have more specialized programs and a wider range of networks.. You just need to know how you learn best for either to work.
Purpose Fit — Building a College List That Matches Who You Are
The first step in making a college list is to figure out what really matters to you—your goals, your priorities, and the type of place where you do your best work. It’s not about status; it’s about alignment.
Step 4 — Accept That Perspective Takes Time in Learning How to Choose a Major in College
Just as I didn’t understand the full meaning of my first Camino until decades later, you won’t have all the answers now—and that’s okay.
For an undecided major, patience is part of the process—each experience shapes how you’ll choose your future path with confidence. College is not the final destination; it’s another leg of your journey.
The goal is not to have everything figured out, but to start walking with intention, curiosity, and openness.
For every undecided major, patience becomes part of the process. Each step—every experience, conversation, and setback—teaches you how to choose with confidence.
Tools to help you learn more about yourself and pick a college major
Before choosing a college or major, we at The College Planning Center encourage students to use personality tests and reflection tools to learn more about themselves.
Here are some excellent tools and resources to help you explore who you are—and what kind of college experience might fit you best.
Career & Personality Assessments
- YouScience uses your abilities and personality to help you discover your natural talents and career choices.
- 16Personalities- Based on the Myers-Briggs model, it lets you figure out how you communicate and what drives you.
- Holland Code (RIASEC) Test – Matches your interests to careers and majors that fit your personality.
- The Enneagram Institute – A deeper look at your motivations, fears, and growth patterns.
Reflection & Journaling Tool
- ✍️ Daylio or Notion Journal Templates – Keep track of what makes you feel good or bad over time.
- Your consultant can give you the “Know Yourself” Worksheet from the College Planning Center. It helps you learn about your values, the best way for you to study, and the things that matter most to you.
- Podcasts like Before College or The Mindset Mentor tell stories and give advice that help people grow, be curious, and be strong.
Exploration Opportunities
- Coursera and edX offer free or low-cost college courses that let you “test-drive” different majors.
- Two great ways to learn about other job options are volunteering and job shadowing. You can do this by contacting local businesses, hospitals, or groups.
- 🏫 Virtual College Panels – Attend major exploration sessions hosted by universities to learn about different disciplines firsthand.
Final Thought — Why Perspective Matters When You’re Undecided About Your Major
Everyone I teach knows that you have to work hard to see things in a new way. You can see yourself and your path more clearly when you think deeply, act without fear, and keep growing.
The College Planning Center tells students that thinking things through and being brave, not being under pressure, will help them see things more clearly.
Your college list isn’t just a list of schools—it’s a map of possibilities.
The college fit finder at The College Planning Center helps every undecided major turn uncertainty into confidence by aligning personal growth with academic choices.
Take time to look inward before you look outward. The better you know yourself, the more confident you’ll be when it’s time to take that next step on your own Camino.
Ready to Start Your Journey? Let The College Planning Center Help You Choose Your Major and College Fit
At The College Planning Center, we help students and families turn uncertainty into direction. The College Planning Center can help you finish your list of colleges or help you decide on a major. They can help you find the right path by putting your goals, strengths, and interests together.
📅 Make an appointment for your free consultation today and start your own path to college success. Make an appointment with the College Planning Center.
Key Takeaways
- Reflection and curiosity—not rankings—are the real start to deciding how to choose a major in college.
- If you think, “I don’t know what to major in,” begin exploring your story instead of forcing a decision.
- Use resources like a career aptitude test for high schoolers or a choosing-a-college-major quiz to discover your fit.
- How to build a college list begins by defining your academic, social, and purpose fit.
- The College Planning Center helps undecided students connect who they are with where they’ll flourish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by exploring your story—what subjects excite you, what values matter most, and what environments help you learn best.
The right major matches your strengths, interests, and future goals. Reflection tools and career aptitude assessments can guide you.
Begin with curiosity. Try new experiences, talk to mentors, and take a career aptitude test for high schoolers to discover options.
Either works—many students apply undecided. Focus on demonstrating curiosity and readiness to explore rather than certainty.
Broad majors like Liberal Studies, Psychology, or Business can help you explore multiple interests before specializing.
You can try out different fields in programs with flexible core classes, which are usually found at liberal arts colleges instead of universities.
Quizzes offer self-discovery prompts and show patterns in your preferences, helping narrow down what feels like the best major for me.
Focus on how well you fit in academically and socially. Class size, location, and campus culture are often more important than your declared major at first.
Yes. Small colleges and liberal arts programs provide close mentoring and flexibility while you explore majors.
The College Planning Center combines reflection worksheets, aptitude tools, and one-on-one guidance to help you learn how to choose a major in college with confidence.
Special thanks to Christopher Parsons for writing this blog post.
Christopher has a strong educational background, including Doctoral studies in English Literature and Creative Writing, a Master’s Degree in English, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and History. He also has a background in Mass Communications and Public Relations/Marketing.
He has successfully won scholarship offers from prestigious schools and over $250,000 in grants and scholarships. His real-world personal experience resonates well with today’s students.
One Response
Great post — I found the examples really helpful. Thanks for sharing!