So you're on your way to college. Courses, textbooks, roommates, sports, clubs, parties -- and, oh yeah, your  

major

 . Somewhere along the line, you've got to pick one. The thing is, at most colleges and universities these days, you've got so many choices that it can be difficult to decide what to study. All of a sudden, four academic classes a semester -- or whatever the equivalent at your school -- doesn't seem like enough. How do you choose a major?

If your first year of college is approaching, chances are you've been told that you don't need to decide what to study just yet. Now's the time, though, to really do some thinking about your major if you haven't already. Go pre-med, with the intention of becoming a doctor? Study English, which has more real-world and grad school applications than you might think? Follow a passion for art, dance, or theater? Chances are, these considerations have at least partially influenced which school you'd like to attend. Once you get there, however, watch out! The range of options can be pretty bewildering. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you deal.

Talk It Up
Your advisor is the first person to consult when deciding what to study. He or she can definitely help you on the administrative side, make sure you get registered for classes properly, and get into required classes. Of course, warns University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, sophomore Jennifer Noble, you've got to take the initiative. "I do my own research about the courses I want to take," she says. "My mind is pretty much made up when I go to my advisor in the first place."

So how do you decide what to study? The course descriptions in your catalog may not always give you much to go on. And how about figuring out if the professors are any good?

Jasmin Chua, a graduate of the National University of Singapore in Crescent, Singapore, who's currently studying biomedical journalism, has some solid advice. "Talk to professors, senior students, and research assistants, because they've been there," she says. When you're considering a particular course, those in previous classes can tell you about class requirements and what the prof is like from experience. Could Geology 101 lead you into a career of studying earthquakes, for instance? It's possible, so talk to those further along than you to see what's involved, who's a good prof, and to help you decide if it's something you should pursue.

Look For the "You" in Your U.
Another good approach to choosing a major is to consider why a subject interests you. After all, what isn't fascinating about the possibility of discovering new stars and planets as an astronomer? Or writing a historical novel? And what about the chance to develop a new surgical technique as a doctor? All of these sound pretty cool, and there are people out there doing those very things. Of course, the real question is What's right for you?

Jeffrey, a medical student who graduated with a degree in biomedical engineering and medicine from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, put a lot of thought into what to study. "I went into medicine because I simply wished to spend my career helping sick people," he explains. What actually reinforced his idealism was the volunteer work he did during high school and college. And, though Jeffrey considered the financial and personal costs and benefits of studying medicine, they weren't the driving forces. "There are far easier ways to make a comfortable living, but few ways more rewarding."

It's all about trying things out to see what you like. "I sat down and figured out what sort of things I enjoyed," says Kelly Saxman, a first-year student at the Seattle, WA-based Seattle Central Community College, who intends to transfer to the University of Washington (UW), Seattle, WA. Once she finished her courses, Kelly went online: "I began browsing UW's departments and chose ones that best suited those interests." She also has an eye on the career potential of her studies, which is communications writing: "I want to fit what would make me happy in a viable career."

What If Your Idea Tanks?
This raises another question. Suppose you think hard about what interests you and why, talk to other people who do it, figure out what'll satisfy you the most -- and then it turns out there's no way to get a job doing what you've spent all this time (not to mention money!) studying?

Well, first of all, that's probably not true -- though some fields certainly tend to pay more than others. At some point, you'll have to weigh financial rewards with career happiness and fulfillment. That's a decision your school's career office can help you consider. Seattle Central's Career Information Center, for instance, offers information on job trends, important skills and how to acquire them, and how much you can expect to make as a result. Kelly intends to use her school's career assessment test to help her along the way.

It's important to remember that some majors require graduate study before they'll yield a job you can really sink your teeth into. Kimberly, a UW graduate, majored in history with the knowledge that you have to be flexible to get a job in the field. "I chose it anyway," she says. And, while she's not currently working in her field, she sees the benefits already. "It certainly improved my research and writing skills." She also intends to go to graduate school.

Deciding the best way to navigate through college can be difficult. But don't forget the most important resource of all: you. Think about what you're good at, what you enjoy, and what fascinates you. Use some elective credits to test the waters, then take a look around and see how you can apply those skills in the real world. And if you discover along the way that you've made the wrong decision? Remember all the options we discussed. Kelly and Kimberly each started out studying something entirely different, and changed majors when they discovered it wasn't working for them. It might take a little longer, but ultimately you'll be doing something you love, and that's what matters.

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