Q: I am majoring in elementary education. I am done with everything but math. I am no good at math, but have 5 math classes to take still. I am seriously considering changing majors because of it. What should I do?
A.: You might think of math as being like a foreign language. Almost everyone feels inept in the beginning, and most people give it up before they have really given themselves a chance to learn it. Considering how far you’ve come in your studies, I’d suggest taking at least one of those five classes before you change majors. Give it your best effort, and do it with your future students in mind, just as a good missionaries works to learn a language for the sake of the people he hopes to teach. The combination of your best effort and the desire to serve will qualify you for special help.
Take Time Off to Pick a Major?
Q: I finished my first year at college, but I don’t know what to major in. I don’t know if I should be taking time off to try to figure it out, or if I should continue on and figure it out while in school.
A: There are two good places to decide on a major. The best is in a carefully chosen internship; the next best is at school, taking major classes. Unless you have an internship already lined up, you might consider enrolling now in introductory courses for one or more majors that are of interest to you. Simultaneously, you can begin looking for a internship–even an unpaid one–that you can fill during your next break from school.