Top 3 Mistakes Students Make When Choosing a Major

Avoid these at all costs

Deciding what to study is a big step, but it’s also just one part of your journey as a student.  

There are heaps of ways to get to your desired career, and uni is just one piece of the puzzle.  

Whether you’re torn between multiple options or completely clueless, keep these common mistakes in mind to make a smarter choice. 

Mistake #1: choosing a degree your parents want.  

Unless your parents are the ones who’ll be sitting through the 9am lectures and pulling all-nighters to finish assignments, they shouldn’t get the final say. (We still love you though mum and dad) 

Sure, they want the best for you, but if “best” means a law degree when you’d rather study film, you’re in for a painful few years.  

Have an open conversation with your parents about your passions and career goals.  

Inform them on the potential of your chosen field, like success stories, job opportunities and even statistics. You should still listen to what your parents have to say and be open to their points. They might know something about you that you don’t. 

But for example if they are pushing you to go into accounting and Year 11 and 12 maths made you cry, you might have to respectfully and gently let them know this isn’t the degree for you. After all, this is your future, and you should do something you are passionate about. 

Mistake #2: following your mates. 

If your bestie is doing engineering and you’re “sort of” interested in it, that’s not a sign to study it.  

Your mates might not be interested in the same career pathway as you, and that’s totally okay. That’s what makes us different. 

Choose a degree that excites you, not one that guarantees you’ll be in the same study group. 

Imagine your mate suddenly decides to drop out, would you still want to study that degree or course? 

Plus, you can find new friends in your field of interest. 

 

Mistake #3: picking a degree based on salary. 

Everyone wants to be making the most amount of money they can. 

But choosing a degree solely based on future salary is probably not going to end well.  

If you hate every second of your course, and eventually your future career, no six-figure salary will make up for that.  

Think long term: will you enjoy working in this field for years? 

You should also consider the fact that salary figures can change over time, but job satisfaction will last longer. 

Choosing a degree is a big decision, but it’s not a decision which will define your whole life.  

Prioritise what you want, do your research, and remember you can always pivot later.  

Worst case scenario? You learn something new and gain some life experience. 

If you’re still unsure, talk to career advisors, industry professionals, or even people in your dream job.  

The more insight you have, the better decision you’ll make 👋