How Can You Decide What Degree You Should Be Taking?

 

Engaging with higher education is both parts exciting and terrifying. On the one hand, it’s exhilarating knowing that you are taking steps towards learning more about something you’re passionate about and improving your career prospects as a result. On the other hand, it can be incredibly daunting to know that the course you are about to embark on could well determine what you do with the rest of your life. With the range of courses available to you, the question remains, how do you choose?

 

Where To Start

 

If you have a particular career in mind, then this article may not be for you. For example, if you’d like to work in medicine, law or journalism, then a degree in those fields would be a safe choice. However, if you are undecided and torn between choices, you should ask yourself the following:

 

-          What subjects do I enjoy learning about the most?

-          What subjects am I particularly good at?

-          What can I see myself doing after university and which degree would facilitate this?

 

There are also some university websites with more information that will help you find the right course. Consider some of the NMU online degrees. By visiting their website and filling out a small questionnaire about where you would like to study, what kind of degree you are looking for, and your location, you’ll be able to get in touch with an admission specialist at NMU to discuss their degree offerings. This can be a great place to start if you are struggling to choose.

 

What Not to Do

 

There are many reasons why people have picked courses in the past and some of their reasoning should be avoided at all costs. Not only are they reckless, but they could massively reduce your experience of higher education. 

 

-          Don’t Be Pressured Into Your Choice

 

If you have certain friends that are doing a course and trying to tell you how good it will be, stop listening to them. This is your choice and you should treat it as such, ensure your decision is based on what you want to do, not what your friends want to do. At the end of the day, you’re going to be learning about this subject for the next three years, so you should make sure it is something you have chosen rationally.

 

-          Don’t Pick a Subject You Don’t Enjoy

 

If you are going into your choice with a job in mind but are thinking of picking a degree that you don’t enjoy with the intention of obtaining that job, you might want to re-think your choice. It can be a tough call to make but it’s important to think about your well-being.

 

For example, say you got incredibly good grades in math throughout your entire school life but absolutely hated math; however, because of your natural affiliation with it you are considering doing a degree in accountancy to obtain a high paying job. Think long and hard about that. Accountancy is a great profession but if you don’t enjoy math, do you really think you’re going to enjoy a job that revolves around it?