As a freshman, I'm afraid to choose my favorite major, and I feel lost. What should I do?

Good morning, host.

Selecting a major is a challenging process. After the college entrance examination, applying for a major requires a comprehensive consideration of school rankings, major rankings, estimated admission probability, and the range of majors that you can accept. This process is already complex; if you also want to consider the region where the school is located and the adaptability to the local climate and living environment, it is even more challenging.

It is important to note that this is not the final challenge in selecting a major. Changing majors is comparable to changing tracks. It is comparable to being at a fork in the road in life, where you can only choose to walk one of the paths, and you will inevitably lose all the possibilities of encountering and experiencing the other path.

Given the numerous factors at play, it is understandable that individuals may find themselves torn between seeking out advantages and avoiding disadvantages. The objective is to identify the path that offers the greatest advantages and the least disadvantages. However, with so many factors to consider, it is challenging to determine which path is the optimal one.

I will endeavor to present my views from two perspectives.

The following "cost-benefit" table is designed to assist you in making your own decisions.

The term "static" is used to describe a situation that does not take into account the complexities and ever-changing variables involved. It employs general evaluation criteria to assist in organizing and understanding your thoughts. For instance, school and major rankings are simplified, label-based methods of determining whether a college or major is "good" or "bad." These descriptions are typically stable or change very little, regardless of the specific experiences you may have in that major at that school or the uncertainties you may face.

The recommended method for sorting out ideas and making decisions is to create a cost-benefit table, listing the pros and cons of changing or not changing your major. Each factor should be assigned a weighted score based on its importance, and a comprehensive score should be calculated. The option with the highest comprehensive score should then be selected.

For example, one of the factors influencing your decision to change your major is "like." Please indicate whether this matter is your top priority in your personal value judgment.

The advantages of changing majors may include an enhanced ability to learn, a willingness to overcome challenges, improved academic performance, and an increase in self-confidence. Conversely, potential disadvantages may include a highly specialized major with limited future job opportunities and the potential for difficulty maintaining financial stability over an extended period. It is possible to assign positive and negative points to the advantages and disadvantages, respectively.

If your primary objective after graduation is to secure employment and achieve financial independence, the absolute value of the negative score will be the highest. Conversely, if you aspire to a less competitive position, the absolute value of the positive score may be lower than that of the negative score. The score assigned to these options is dependent on your individual circumstances and objectives, or more specifically, on your personal preferences, and there is no universal standard.

It is possible that your circumstances are not as unfavorable as they may seem. Financial considerations may not be a significant factor, allowing you to prioritize other aspects of the situation. In this case, the score for "like" or "not like" may be the highest.

However, this static perspective and list method may seem logical and reasonable, but it is still difficult because, on the one hand, it relies heavily on your knowledge of yourself (otherwise it is difficult to assign appropriate weights to each factor for consideration), and on the other hand, the dynamics and uncertainties of the person and the environment themselves cannot be accurately evaluated. As you mentioned, "I was also very afraid when a good school recruited me into this major before, worrying that I might not do well or find it wasn't what I thought after I got in." You will find that even if there is a good school and a major you like in front of you, you are influenced by other factors.

The following table is designed to assist you in considering your options from a dynamic perspective.

You are concerned that you may not perform to the best of your abilities and afraid of the self-awareness that it may not align with your expectations upon completion. This is a dynamic situation, where you have already recognized that even if it seems like what you want now, it may not be what you want in the future. Everything is uncertain. Now that you are in your first year of university and have the opportunity to choose again, you are once again hesitant to choose.

However, it is evident that you are not abandoning the matter outright. This mindset is undoubtedly challenging.

I believe the best course of action for you would be to take this opportunity to do some "self-analysis." You have expressed your desire to return to the original major you were pursuing, yet you still feel apprehension. What are the specific concerns that are causing you this unease? Are you worried about your ability to succeed?

Please clarify whether you still perceive uncertainty as a threat. Please describe the number of levels you perceive for not performing to the best of your abilities.

Please identify the worst possible outcome at each level. Additionally, please describe the possibilities behind the uncertainty that you find intolerable.

For instance, would you be concerned about losing interest in the subject matter?

You may then wish to consider whether you are prepared to accept the consequences of not graduating if you do not complete the required work to a satisfactory standard. Similarly, if you do not change your major and do not enjoy undertaking experiments, can you guarantee that you will graduate successfully?

If you change majors and discover that it is not a good fit, can you guarantee that you will enjoy your current engineering major?

With regard to uncertainty, such as that associated with future outcomes, what is the distinction between changing majors and not changing majors? What sense of certainty does your current major provide that is difficult to relinquish, and what sense of uncertainty does the major you intend to select impart that you find challenging to accept?

Is this perception of certainty and uncertainty a genuine reflection of reality, or is it a subjective interpretation?

When faced with a decision, individuals are often driven by a fear of the uncertainty that accompanies change. This uncertainty can manifest in various forms, including concerns about the potential outcomes of switching tracks, the emotional impact, the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes, and the avoidance of undesired outcomes. This is the dilemma that individuals face when making a choice. By taking a static perspective, as previously mentioned, we can gain a relatively clear answer. However, it is important to recognize that the world is in a constant state of flux, and it is not possible to guarantee that everything will turn out as expected after switching tracks. The desire for certainty in decision-making is understandable. However, it is an unattainable goal. Individuals may find themselves stuck in this pursuit of certainty, unable to make a decision.

When attempting to avoid making an erroneous choice, we are seeking certainty in the face of uncertainty. This presents a paradox: the only way to be certain of the outcome is to proceed and experience it for ourselves.

Furthermore, you gain a more accurate understanding of your own capabilities, limitations, and preferences. This understanding is developed through the process of putting in the effort to achieve a goal.

Ultimately, this paradox is somewhat disappointing. Ultimately, it comes down to the same old platitudes: "If you don't try, how will you know?"

However, a more powerful approach is to analyze and think through clichés. This can help you gain the courage to make a choice and move forward.

Ultimately, remaining in a professional rut is a conscious decision. It is the choice to remain in one's current role without pursuing alternative options. The emotions associated with this choice are distinct from those experienced when actively seeking a change in profession.

I hope you will have the courage to make an early decision.

I would like to extend my personal regards to you, and also express my appreciation for the world at large.