Our school offers many classes. Now is the time to experiment in different fields of study. We will never know if we are interested or talented in a subject if we don’t try it.

In my 8th grade, I was told that I had to take an art class as a graduation requirement; so in the 9th grade I took Studio and Art. One of the projects was to build a clay pot, but I built mine incorrectly, so it broke in the kiln (窑). I found out that I have no artistic ability at all, and now I know for sure that I do not want to be an artist. However, the class was one of my favorites that year. I was able to try new activities and test my ability.

Walk out of our comfort zone and try new things! College is when we should focus on a specific major, but high school is when we have to figure it out.

Half of all college students change their major at some point. By doing that hundreds of dollars are wasted on classes that they would have never needed to take. So use our extra periods to find out what we want to do in college. The classes we choose can impact us in future. Taking optional subjects will enrich our mind. It will also show colleges we are diverse students.

We know that choosing a college major can be very hard. But don’t worry! Your choice of majors will not lock you into a specific career for the rest of your life. 【小题1】

What is a major?

【小题2】 Beyond general college requirements, you’ll also take a group of courses in a subject you choose such as chemistry, literature, or politics.

How important is my major?

The major you choose will neither predict nor guarantee your future. Many graduates find jobs that have nothing to do with what they have studied in college. If you intend to earn a professional degree after college, you will probably need certain courses. But many future doctors major in unrelated fields.

When do I declare a major?

This varies widely according to schools and programs. 【小题3】 Others require that you declare a major by the time you set foot in your first class.

【小题4】

Definitely. One of the most exciting aspects of college life is that it introduces you to new subjects and arouses new passions. However, keep this in mind: Every major has necessary coursework. If you change your major late, it may take more than the traditional four years to earn a degree.

What are minors and double majors?

If one field of study doesn’t satisfy your intellectual appetite, consider a minor. A minor is similar to a major, which is an area of academic concentration. 【小题5】 Double majors provide you with an understanding of two academic fields. It allows you to become familiar with two sets of values and views while it also requires you to fulfill two sets of requirements.

If you stayed up or had a bad night of sleep last night, you know it’s difficult to stay awake in class today. Your teacher’s voice might begin to sound like a lullaby (摇篮曲). 【小题1】 To keep yourself awake, some tips are worth trying in class.

Sit in the front of the room. Why? 【小题2】 Besides, you’ll be more motivated to stay awake if you know that the teacher can see you easily. You’ll also be near the people who are more likely to participate, and the sound of their voices might keep you awake.

【小题3】 Ask and answer questions and pay attention to the lecture. This will help if you’re tired or discouraged by the content of the lecture, because you can ask your teacher questions to get to the bottom of the problems. Talking will also keep you engaged and alert. It might be helpful to make a goal for yourself to answer or ask at least 3 questions per class. 【小题4】 For example, you might say “I didn’t understand the last part of the proof. Could you explain it again in more detail?”

Listen actively to the lesson. Active listening is a great way to force yourself to stay awake because it requires engagement of your mind as well as your body. 【小题5】 To effectively listen to your teacher, you should try to maintain eye contact, face the speaker, pay close attention to what the speaker is saying and ask questions during a pause in the lecture.