Not Sure What to Study? 5 Ways to Discover Your Ideal Major in High School
August 6, 2025
Not sure what to study?
Choosing a college major in high school can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to have all the answers right away. Exploring your interests early helps you build a strong college list, choose the right courses, and write meaningful application essays. Here are five ways to discover your ideal major while still in high school.
First, reflect on what you genuinely enjoy.
Think about the subjects or activities that capture your attention or make you lose track of time. Consider whether you prefer working with people, numbers, ideas, or hands-on tasks. Your interests can point you toward fields like psychology, engineering, business, or the arts.
Second, take electives or online courses.
Many high schools offer electives such as economics, computer science, journalism, or environmental science. These classes provide a low-risk way to explore new subjects. You can also try free or low-cost online courses from platforms to see if a major sparks your interest before applying to college.
Third, shadow a professional or interview someone working in a field you find interesting.
Reach out to family members, friends, or alumni and ask about their career paths, what they studied, and what their daily work looks like. This real-world insight goes beyond what you learn in the classroom.
Fourth, work with a college counselor who understands the admissions process.
A counselor can help you connect your interests to real college majors and programs, especially if you’re applying to universities in the US, Canada, or Europe. We at Blue Ivy Coaching support students from all backgrounds in discovering academic strengths and planning career-focused college paths well before application deadlines.
You don’t need to have it all figured out immediately; high school is the time to explore and learn more about yourself. Whether you’re in 9th grade or already preparing college essays, discovering your ideal major is a journey you can take with the right guidance.
