I've Decided...
Feb. 16th, 2008 01:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Well, I finally changed majors. I was an Applied Math major. I actually applied to my school as an Engineering major, but changed it to Applied Mathematics before I registered for my first semester's classes. However, I wasn't ever too confident about my major. I chose math because I'm good at math, and the applied part was because I'd want to put my math knowledge to practical use. But I didn't know what I would do with that major, and wasn't even sure I'd like it. People would ask me my major, and I'd always tell them the answer, and then tell them I was thinking of changing it.
Last semester, I added History and Computer Science minors. History has been something I've really enjoyed for awhile, and I discovered I liked Computer Science my first semester when taking an intro course required for my math minor. So those were possible majors, especially the history. Computer Science, not so much, because it just takes so many units and I want to be able to take random electives. The problem with switching to a history major is that my practical side had too many reservations about the idea (what would I do with such a major?). And of course, I'm just generally indecisive and like to keep my options over. I have few career plans in mind at the moment (though as of now, being a librarian or a teacher sounds appealing), so I didn't have those to go off of.
So earlier this week I finally made a decision. I switched degrees (I was going for a Bachelor of Science, now I'm going for a Bachelor of Arts), and changed my major from Applied Mathematics to a double major in History and Computer Science. I'm keeping math as a minor, as I only need one more class. Plus, the type of Computer Science major I have requires a minor, since you have to take "only" 36 hours of Comp Sci. classes. Anyway, this is a compromise between my practical side and the side of me that just wants to do what I like. I really like both Computer Science and History, and while I like History better, Comp. Sci. gives me more options career-wise if I don't decide to be a librarian or a teacher.
Things still aren't completely certain. I have to meet with my advisers to make sure I've planned everything correctly. I also need to petition a couple of my classes so they count towards my new requirements with my new degree program. And finally, this new plan puts me on a pretty tight schedule. I won't be able to take a whole lot of extra electives. So I may end up dropping Computer Science back down to a minor. But I figure it's easier to start with it as a major and demote it rather than deciding later I want it as a major and having to graduate late because I didn't get all my requirements done on time.
One of the main reasons my class schedule will be tight is that I want to study abroad in Madrid, Spain next semester. I've been talking about it for a bit now, and last week I finally turned in my application. I still have some other paperwork to fill out for my own school, but that's not due for awhile. At any rate, unless something major comes up, it looks like I'll be studying in Europe this fall!
Last semester, I added History and Computer Science minors. History has been something I've really enjoyed for awhile, and I discovered I liked Computer Science my first semester when taking an intro course required for my math minor. So those were possible majors, especially the history. Computer Science, not so much, because it just takes so many units and I want to be able to take random electives. The problem with switching to a history major is that my practical side had too many reservations about the idea (what would I do with such a major?). And of course, I'm just generally indecisive and like to keep my options over. I have few career plans in mind at the moment (though as of now, being a librarian or a teacher sounds appealing), so I didn't have those to go off of.
So earlier this week I finally made a decision. I switched degrees (I was going for a Bachelor of Science, now I'm going for a Bachelor of Arts), and changed my major from Applied Mathematics to a double major in History and Computer Science. I'm keeping math as a minor, as I only need one more class. Plus, the type of Computer Science major I have requires a minor, since you have to take "only" 36 hours of Comp Sci. classes. Anyway, this is a compromise between my practical side and the side of me that just wants to do what I like. I really like both Computer Science and History, and while I like History better, Comp. Sci. gives me more options career-wise if I don't decide to be a librarian or a teacher.
Things still aren't completely certain. I have to meet with my advisers to make sure I've planned everything correctly. I also need to petition a couple of my classes so they count towards my new requirements with my new degree program. And finally, this new plan puts me on a pretty tight schedule. I won't be able to take a whole lot of extra electives. So I may end up dropping Computer Science back down to a minor. But I figure it's easier to start with it as a major and demote it rather than deciding later I want it as a major and having to graduate late because I didn't get all my requirements done on time.
One of the main reasons my class schedule will be tight is that I want to study abroad in Madrid, Spain next semester. I've been talking about it for a bit now, and last week I finally turned in my application. I still have some other paperwork to fill out for my own school, but that's not due for awhile. At any rate, unless something major comes up, it looks like I'll be studying in Europe this fall!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-16 08:51 am (UTC)One of my friends in college transferred colleges (I did, too, so I knew lots of other transfer students) and also went from being a math major to an English major to a philosophy major :-) Switching around seems natural to me.
I'm glad you're pursuing history, as well. College is the only time when it's **so easy** to study whatever it is that interests you--you're right there; the professors have reading lists to point you in the right direction; it's perfect. So whatever you want to learn about, go for it.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-17 07:43 am (UTC)College is the only time when it's **so easy** to study whatever it is that interests you
*nods* That's why I want to make the most of college, and would probably be just a history major if my practical side weren't so persistent. I mean, I like computer science, but I like history better and it would allow me to take classes in all the many other diverse things I'm interested in. Though at least that practical side of me isn't too strong. I refused to even look at majors that were just geared towards a career (business, education, etc.). It'll be easier for me to learn those things later.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-16 01:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-16 04:30 pm (UTC)I declared my major as Spanish yesterday, more because I realized on Tuesday that I needed to declare my major before filing my own application to go to Córdoba, Spain than because I'm sure that that's what I want to do.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-17 07:50 am (UTC)And hooray for Spain!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-17 07:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-17 01:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-17 08:02 am (UTC)And I'm not scared about studying abroad. I'm pretty independent. The only thing that would scare me would be the language, as my Spanish is pretty bad, but at least I'll be at an American University, so most of my classes will be in English and there will be a lot of English speakers around to help (though I do intend to use this chance to get much better in Spanish!). So I'm mostly just excited! If it doesn't work out, I'll be really bummed.