Choosing a major is easy for some freshmen. For others, the process can be difficult for a variety of reasons, including adjustment to college life and uncertainty about career goals.
University College strives to help students overcome those obstacles through its True Colors workshops.
Erin Anthony, a counselor in the University Center for Freshman Year, said the workshops help freshmen explore their interests, values and strengths through fun activities. By learning about their own personalities and those of others, students can jumpstart the process of finding a major that puts their gifts and passions to good use.
Workshop participants are assigned one of four colors — orange, yellow, blue and green — that represent outgoing, structured, feelings-oriented and information-gathering personality types, respectively. Each color is matched to a list of majors that certain personality types tend to enjoy.
While personality is just one way to think about choosing a major, Anthony said it is beneficial to consider because students should think about his or her talents and what they can offer the world — not just what job they may want, because it may not be a good fit for them.
Anthony said students can discover their passion and purpose — and often career options — by simply thinking about what they do for fun.
Some students have trouble choosing a major because family members or teachers have told them what they think they would be good at, which can clash with students’ feelings about who they truly are, Anthony said.
“People have asked you all your life, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ — not really so much ‘Who are you?’” Anthony said.
Other freshmen can struggle when reality and fantasy collide — for example, a student may have wanted to be a doctor all their life, but did not realize until college they would have to take biology classes in which they may not perform well or enjoy, according to Anthony.
She said not succeeding in a class or changing majors is sometimes helpful because it prompts students to explore other areas they may end up loving. Freshmen should try out classes in areas they are considering, she said, because it is OK to be uncommitted to a major during the first year of college, which is largely a phase of discovery and transition.
Sarah Corie, a political science freshman who participated in the workshop, said she is interested in politics but is unsure of what aspect to focus on and what career options she may have. She said because the workshop linked values and talents with majors and careers, it helped identify potential outlets for her interests.
“When people ask you ‘What kind of person are you?’, I never know what to say,” Corie said. “Having [personal characteristics] listed and then realizing I agree with all of them is helpful.”
Ten more workshops will take place this semester. Students can register in person in 150 Allen Hall or by calling 225-578-6822.
“People have asked you all your life, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ — not really so much ‘who are you?’”
— Wednesday, Oct. 2: 10 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m.
— Thursday, Oct. 3: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
— Tuesday, Nov. 19: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
— Wednesday, Nov. 20: 10 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m.
— Thursday, Nov. 21: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Angela Major

International studies freshman Victoria Gough participates in a True Colors workshop Tuesday, October 1, 2013 in the University Center for Freshman Year in Allen Hall.