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What should a guy do if he is faced with choosing a major for postgraduate studies and cannot set a goal?

postgraduate entrance exam career prospects major selection motivation irritability
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What should a guy do if he is faced with choosing a major for postgraduate studies and cannot set a goal? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

The postgraduate entrance exam is not far away, and I am very anxious because I haven't decided on a major yet. On the one hand, my parents want me to study a major with a relatively low score requirement that is easy to get into, but I don't like it. As far as I know, the career prospects for this major are not very good either. On the other hand, I want to apply for another major that I am more interested in, but the score requirement is higher and it is not easy to get into. So I have been torn between which major to apply for, and I haven't really settled on a goal. I have no motivation to study, and I am very irritable.

Alexander Baker Alexander Baker A total of 515 people have been helped

It's normal to feel torn when making big life choices. Your choice affects your future.

Parents have their own ideas, and you have your own interests. The major your parents recommend may not be as good for your grades but may have better job prospects.

You don't like your parents' choices. You're having trouble making a choice because you're worried it will be difficult to get into the major you choose. This is normal.

You want to choose a major you like. Did you dislike your previous major in college?

It's hard to choose a major because you have to understand your needs and think about what you want to do with your life. Do you need a postgraduate degree?

Or is it better to find a major you like? There's another perspective: do you want to fight for your ideals?

All choices involve risk.

A mismatch between postgraduate studies and university major may affect your chances of being admitted. Admission standards for the same major vary by university.

If you don't do well in a popular major, it's harder to find a job. Studying hard in a less popular major is also important.

If you don't like it, it's probably because you don't know enough about it. If you like it, it's probably also because you don't know enough. You can only talk about whether you like it or not after you have a good understanding of it.

You might not like all the courses in a subject.

Life choices are important, but so are opportunities.

One of my psychology teachers wanted to be a doctor but wasn't accepted after taking the exam for several years. She switched to psychology and became a doctor.

Someone else changed their university major to a less popular one. They didn't change majors but worked hard to improve themselves and became a pillar of the industry.

If we can be half-hardworking and half-relaxed when facing major life events, we can be more relaxed. What do you think?

I hope this helps. Best wishes!

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Diana Louise O'Connor Diana Louise O'Connor A total of 4901 people have been helped

Dear Questioner, I have read your message and understand that you are preparing for an upcoming test and are uncertain about which major to pursue. Your parents have advised you to choose a major that is more straightforward for the postgraduate entrance exam, but you are not particularly interested in it. The major you are considering for the postgraduate entrance exam is more challenging and requires higher scores, and although you are enthusiastic about it, it is not straightforward.

The decision between these two options is challenging.

I will then consider these two options and determine which is more suitable for you.

Firstly, in addition to considering personal preferences, it is important to consider future employment opportunities. You have indicated that the major your parents suggested is not particularly beneficial for future employment, but have you conducted thorough research into this? Furthermore, it is essential to ascertain the name of the school you will be taking the exam for and the city in which the school is located.

For postgraduate majors, there is a clear need for them to exist. While they may not be as popular or may not offer as many positions as other majors, they are still in high demand by many companies that require individuals with expertise in this field, or for research purposes. Otherwise, there would be no rationale for the country to invest in training talent in this area.

In addition, the school should be considered. If the major is in a renowned field at a prestigious university, there is no issue with employment. For instance, if you are a teacher major and you are studying at Beijing Normal University or Northeast Normal University, as long as you are a teacher major, many schools will consider you when hiring teachers. Therefore, selecting the school is crucial.

Additionally, during the hiring process, many companies do not prioritize a candidate's major. However, if you have graduated from a reputable university, even if your major is not directly relevant to the position, most companies will likely accept you based on the university's reputation and your degree.

In many cases, education is the gateway to re-employment and a key factor in success. The major is not necessarily related to the job, as long as it aligns with your interests, you can excel in it, and you have the capacity to learn. In this way, you will have a very good job.

Secondly, if you can make your favorite major your future career, that would be optimal. Therefore, when choosing a major, you should also consider your future career development. If you only want to develop in this major field, you may wish to consider a school with relatively low scores for this major.

When selecting a postgraduate program, if you are uncertain, you have two options: you can either choose a school that aligns with your preferences or a major that aligns with your preferences.

Third, regardless of the decision made regarding school or major, it is inevitable that some degree of regret will be experienced. However, it is possible to minimise this regret by considering all aspects of the decision, evaluating them, and then making a final choice based on one's own abilities.

Fourth, if your objective is to take the exam for the major you wish to study and the school you intend to attend, then please continue to work diligently and prepare for the exams again next year.

It is my hope that the above content will be of assistance to you. I encourage you to carefully consider the information presented and select a decision that aligns with your needs and goals.

The future holds great promise.

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Dominic Hughes Dominic Hughes A total of 8420 people have been helped

It's never easy making a choice, especially when your abilities are not yet particularly strong.

You have two options: one you're not qualified for and one you're overqualified for. Your parents gave you a major that's easy to get into, but you have no interest in it. You think it'll be difficult to find a job with this major in the future, right?

You need to choose a major for postgraduate studies carefully. The goal of postgraduate studies is to enable you to live a good life. If you don't like your major, it won't add value to you or provide you with a job. Even if you can get in, it's best not to choose it. Another major seems to have a relatively high admission score at the moment.

There's no choice.

These two choices are simply not suitable for you. It's understandable that you can't set a goal, and the postgraduate entrance exam is approaching.

You need to find another solution to this problem of dual avoidance. Time is very, very precious and is slowly running out.

Find another major that you can achieve. The employment prospects are acceptable. The whole era is undergoing huge changes, and so are the education and training industry, the catering industry, and the real estate industry.

The internet industry, with which we are all familiar, is also laying off staff, and winter is approaching. It's clear that no one is immune.

You can choose some university majors that don't require high scores and that you can get into. The new energy vehicle manufacturing or artificial intelligence industries, as well as the elderly care industry, will be emerging industries in the future—and you can be part of them.

We must think forward to have a brand new future. We cannot just look at the status quo of contemporary society.

Everyone has a way of thinking and a field of vision, and the limitations are still very obvious. Talk to the people around you, not just your parents. Your parents also have their own limitations. Discover your own limitations, take the initiative to face them, and find a situation you can accept. Then it won't be particularly bad for you. At least you have thought about it and tried very hard to solve the problem.

I'm going to Peking University. We can only try to improve our qualifications, because they are still very important nowadays. Although qualifications are devaluing, for some small cities, a postgraduate degree or above is still very rare. You can look at what are the more forward-looking majors, and then see which ladder your simulated grades are more suitable for.

Be practical. There is a niche for everyone. Follow your own path. Good luck.

ZQ?

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Jillian Jillian A total of 7225 people have been helped

Greetings, host.

If the original poster is truly capable and has sufficient time to prepare for the examination, then their parents will likely not impose significant restrictions.

If one is preparing to take the postgraduate entrance examination this year, it is imperative to select one's major by February at the latest. Some individuals may even commence preparation a year in advance.

Some students even begin preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam from their first year of university.

It is possible that some students may have already selected their postgraduate majors prior to entering university, thereby preparing in advance for the university curriculum.

It is important to note that the decision to guarantee the school was made by your parents, rather than the choice of major.

A reputable educational institution may impose less rigorous academic standards for students pursuing a less competitive major. Even if the chosen field of study is not the student's primary interest, the institution's robust academic resources and reputation can confer a competitive advantage in the job market.

Should one select a subject that aligns with one's personal interests and achieve particularly high marks, it may prove challenging to gain admission.

In any case, it is unproductive to simply remain idle. The host may also opt to initially focus on mastering the general subjects, such as English and politics, which are primarily assessed. The limitations of other majors are primarily found in the major courses and mathematics.

If one is still struggling with this major, it is preferable to first master English and politics than to make no progress whatsoever.

Those who excel in these two subjects may find themselves less proficient in the other two. The results from these two subjects may also provide an opportunity to engage in discourse with one's parents about aspirations and autonomy.

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Brett Brett A total of 9489 people have been helped

Greetings, host. From the text, it is evident that you are experiencing a degree of anxiety and impatience.

Let me elucidate the issue at hand. Your parents counsel you to select a major that is relatively straightforward to gain admission to, yet the career prospects are not particularly promising and you are not particularly enthused about it. However, the major you are interested in is relatively challenging to gain admission to, and you are concerned that it will be challenging to secure a lucrative position, so you are beset with anxiety and indecision.

It is essential to consider the following factors initially:

1. What is the purpose of pursuing a graduate degree? It can be reasonably assumed that the reasons for pursuing a graduate degree vary from individual to individual. Some may simply be motivated by the desire to obtain a degree and thereby enhance their academic qualifications.

In addition, some individuals may find it beneficial to pursue postgraduate studies in order to enhance their proficiency in their desired field of employment.

It is therefore important to ascertain one's goal. If the objective is not solely to obtain a degree, it is recommended to select a major based on one's interests and employment situation. The question of whether one can secure a good job is relatively unimportant for one's future employment.

2. Identify the underlying motives behind your anxiety and confusion. When individuals are overwhelmed by anxiety and confusion due to uncertainty about their academic major, it is crucial to take a step back and carefully examine the underlying emotions. For instance, anxiety may stem from the fear that choosing a major will hinder one's ability to secure employment after graduation. This raises the question: Does choosing a major inevitably lead to unemployment? Does it imply that there is no way out?

If it is not advisable to attempt something once, would it be acceptable to attempt it twice? And so on. Could this be an indication that we lack confidence in ourselves?

It is my sincere hope that these insights prove beneficial to you.

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Caitlin Caitlin A total of 5057 people have been helped

Good day. I am a member of the human resources department of a central enterprise. Having experienced the dilemma of finding a job and studying for the postgraduate entrance exam, I believe I can provide a satisfactory response to your question.

From a personal perspective, it is important to consider the following:

What is your objective in taking the postgraduate entrance examination?

The motivation for pursuing postgraduate studies should be carefully considered. Is the primary objective to enhance one's academic qualifications, or is there a genuine interest in the subject matter? Alternatively, is the intention to enhance one's employability in the job market?

If the objective is merely to enhance one's qualifications, then it would be prudent to select a major that offers the greatest likelihood of securing gainful employment, thereby establishing a foundation for future job searches.

If the subject is of interest, then it is advisable to select a major that aligns with one's academic interests. However, it is also essential to assess one's ability to secure employment in that field.

In order to secure gainful employment, it is essential to identify a position that aligns with one's professional aspirations and provides a satisfactory level of remuneration and other benefits. In the current economic climate, where the job market is highly competitive, it is advisable to focus on securing a suitable position rather than expending significant effort on postgraduate qualifications.

2. From the perspective of human resources recruitment.

I am employed by a central state-owned enterprise in Beijing, where the competition for highly educated candidates is intense. Consequently, a postgraduate degree is the standard. Undergraduates frequently perceive themselves as inferior.

In the context of a state-owned enterprise, a postgraduate candidate is typically at an advantage relative to an undergraduate candidate during the interview process.

3. My perspective

I graduated with a bachelor's degree and did not pursue a postgraduate entrance exam, primarily due to my dissatisfaction with the chosen major. I sought to gain employment and financial autonomy. However, I subsequently set the objective of taking the postgraduate entrance exam after joining the workforce, and there are postgraduate programs that can be undertaken while working.

After a period of employment, I was able to identify a field of interest and pursued further education in that area. Additionally, I took the MBA exam to enhance my qualifications and expand my knowledge base. It is also possible to pursue postgraduate studies while employed, although the outcome is typically a degree.

In terms of enhancing one's qualifications, the distinction between the two is not significant.

4. The perspective of other individuals' experiences

My classmate was admitted to graduate school but ultimately chose to join Company A. Another classmate pursued graduate studies but encountered difficulties securing employment at Company A.

In conclusion, in the current context, if one is able to pursue postgraduate studies, given the favourable employment situation for undergraduates, it is also possible to consider first pursuing employment and subsequently enhancing one's qualifications, as the employment situation may become more challenging in two years' time. Generally speaking, in first-tier cities, state-owned enterprises and central enterprises have high entry requirements due to the large number of applicants, and undergraduates have no advantage whatsoever.

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Garland Garland A total of 9587 people have been helped

Good day, my name is Flower.

The question is which option to select between "an option that is easily tested but not preferred" and "an option that is preferred but not easily tested." Regardless of the option chosen, a conflict of avoidance will result. Selecting the option that is easily tested but not preferred may result in repeated consideration of why the best effort was not made when difficulties arise in the future. Selecting the option that is preferred but not easily tested may result in concern that if admission is not achieved, the easier option may be preferable.

How to incorporate parental input

Parents' starting point may be the probability of success. They probably believe that having a postgraduate diploma is preferable to having none, and they are basing their decision on their life experience. When I was considering which school to choose for postgraduate studies, I was torn between choosing my own school or a better school from outside, and that was also based on the probability of success.

It is important to assess your level of success.

The initial step is to assess your fundamental abilities.

Assess your past performance in tests, memory recall, learning, and the mastery of fundamental knowledge within your field.

The second step is to evaluate the existing resources.

Cross-disciplinary exams assess your ability to learn as much as possible from the materials of professional courses and the professional materials of the target university. How useful are the available resources?

Thirdly, an assessment of competitive strength is required.

Who are the individuals competing with us for postgraduate entrance exams? If the level of competition is relatively equal, we will also be competitive, and it will come down to who is better.

In conclusion, parental advice should be regarded as a point of reference. It is essential to evaluate our comprehensive strengths based on our actual circumstances and make an informed decision. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own lives.

Self-Regulation When Preparing for Exams

If you select "an easily passable subject that is not your preference,"

If you are not enthusiastic about your chosen subject, you are likely to become bored while preparing for the exam and often wonder why you are investing so much time and effort into something you do not enjoy. At this juncture, it is advisable to shift your focus to the key objective of achieving a balance between effort and ease.

The objective is to gain admission to graduate school, not to pursue a particular area of interest. It is advisable to avoid dwelling on the question of personal preference.

If you select "an option you are interested in but which is not a guaranteed pathway to success,"

Given the challenging nature of the task at hand, it is not uncommon to experience feelings of difficulty and self-doubt when preparing for the exam. This can lead to indecision and a sense of being torn between different options. Given the significant investment of time and effort, it is natural to have concerns about whether you will be accepted. In such moments, it is crucial to focus on your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the subject matter. The passion you have for it will serve as a driving force, enabling you to push through the challenges and give your best.

Is it necessary to select a preferred graduate school major?

If you are interested in the subject, you will be more motivated.

In contrast to undergraduate studies, postgraduate studies are more focused and specialized. Typically, students align with the direction of their tutors. However, even if you choose a major you are interested in, you may not necessarily encounter a direction that aligns with your preferences.

It is likely that scientific research will involve repeated failure, which can lead to feelings of frustration. However, a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the subject matter can provide the motivation to persevere.

Even if you are not enthusiastic about your chosen field of study, you can still succeed if you are prepared to work hard and persevere.

It is worth noting that the majority of master's students find it challenging to achieve results without guidance. It may also be beneficial to define the objective of postgraduate studies. The experience gained from the process itself is likely to be more valuable, as it allows for the development of critical thinking, research methodology, and problem-solving abilities.

Even if the subject is not to your liking, you will gain certain abilities as a result of the learning process.

Once you have made a decision, select a course of action and dedicate yourself to achieving your objective. I wish the individual who posed the question all the best!

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Artemis Artemis A total of 3095 people have been helped

I just want to give you a heads-up that choosing a major for postgraduate studies does require a bit of caution.

I'd love to help you understand the impact of your major on future employment!

I'm not sure what your original major was, so I'm not sure if you're switching majors or taking the major exam. I'd love to know more about these two majors you're considering and how they connect with your undergraduate major.

From what I can tell from reading the text, it doesn't seem to be your original undergraduate major.

If you're thinking about applying to graduate school in a different field, it's really important to understand the differences between your original major and the one you're applying to. It's also helpful to know how big the gap is and what the connections are. After applying to graduate school in a different field, it's worth thinking about what restrictions and impacts there might be on finding a job in the future.

It's so interesting how the employment situation varies from one major to the next! Some majors place more emphasis on experience and don't require a high degree of consistency with the undergraduate major, while others do place a high value on the continuity of professional studies.

Just a heads-up: Taking the postgraduate entrance exam means you'll be entering the workforce later than undergraduates. It's important to consider the impact this might have on your employment.

I know it can be tough to balance your interests and abilities, but remember that getting in is the most important thing!

It's so important to remember that your graduate major is not about which is easy to test and which is chosen based on a low score.

It's so important to have an interest in your major! After all, you'll be spending a lot of time reading and doing experiments in the future. If you don't have an interest in it, it might be a bit of a challenge.

It's also a good idea to think about whether you're actually good at it. If you ignore your current knowledge and abilities and only pick what you like, you might not pass the exam. And if you do pass, you might find it really difficult to learn in the future, which could have a big impact on your ability to succeed in the future.

It's totally understandable that you're not keen on the major your parents chose. It's hard to know what your abilities are when you're not sure about your preferences.

It's totally normal to feel this way! You don't feel confident in a subject you like, and you think your grades are too high to make it easy to pass. So I guess you don't have much confidence in your knowledge and abilities.

To make a choice, you need to assess your current level yourself. I know it can be tough, but you've got this!

How well do you think you master the major subjects? What is the basic level? How much do you think you can probably improve during the future preparation period? What are the core competencies required for the major, and are you good at them?

You've got this! The only way to make the right choice is to assess your abilities correctly.

◆◆◆ Major and College Selection

I totally get where you're coming from with worrying that if your score is too high, it will be difficult to get in. It's a big decision, and it's natural to have concerns. If you've decided that you want to apply for that major, it's important to remember that there's still a difference between the scores required for different levels of schools.

You can choose a school that's right for you after taking the time to assess your abilities.

If you're still on the fence, it's totally normal! The most important thing is to gather as much information as you can. Think about what you'll be learning in your major, the skills you'll need, where your future career might take you, and what your future job might be like. The more specific the information, the more excited you'll be about your future, and the more motivated you'll be to study hard now!

Know yourself and your enemy, and choose rationally. Wouldn't it be great if you could see clearly the direction of your future, go all out, and succeed in pursuing your dreams!

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Comments

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Sofia Anderson The power of forgiveness lies in its ability to transform anger into peace.

I can totally relate to how you're feeling. It's really tough when your interests and practical considerations don't align. Maybe it's time to sit down and weigh the pros and cons of each option more carefully, including longterm satisfaction versus shortterm ease.

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Julius Davis In the gallery of virtues, honesty is the master - piece.

It sounds like you're under a lot of pressure. Have you thought about talking this through with a career counselor? They might offer some insights that could help clarify what path would be best for you.

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Anthony Jackson Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

Your feelings are completely valid. Sometimes following our passion leads to unexpected opportunities. If the major you love has higher entry requirements, maybe look into preparatory courses or tutoring to boost your chances.

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Roberto Miller To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.

I understand your anxiety. How about considering a compromise? Look for a related field that you find somewhat interesting and that also offers better career prospects and lower entry barriers.

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Jethro Miller The pursuit of knowledge in both ancient and modern studies is a path to wisdom.

It's stressful not knowing which path to choose. Why not explore internships or parttime jobs in the fields you're considering? Gaining firsthand experience can give you a clearer picture and inspire you to study harder.

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