Advice: majors and study abroad
By Meg Stroup ’26, Features Editor
I regret the major I chose but am so far along. What should I do?
This common dilemma causes many students’ stress, and I think the best solution is to keep yourself in check and weigh your options. There is a strong stigma around majors that they are the end-all be-all, however in reality for most careers it is your out of classroom experience that will more greatly dictate your professional path. If you decide you have absolutely no interest in your current major, it may be worthwhile to pursue a different major and sacrifice some free-time for a packed couple of semesters filling the lower-level requirements. However, if you still tolerate your major and only have a couple of courses left, finishing the major you no longer love may actually provide you with more time to explore different interests. Regardless of what you major in, you will still grow as a student and accrue the critical thinking skills necessary to be successful in whatever career path you choose.
I can’t decide what to minor in. What should I do?
I am a firm believer that minors are for exploring what you are passionate about. Minors are not what’s going to get you a job. While they definitely cannot hurt, I would frame your thinking more in terms of interest and enjoyment rather than solely practicality. I personally find it much easier to thoroughly dedicate myself to a course when I am truly passionate about it and am taking the course purely for my own enrichment. If you take really STEM heavy classes for example, being a creative writing minor could be a great outlet to explore a different side of yourself and take a stimulating break from your typical schedule. Taking courses without your career in mind can be a lower stakes opportunity to pursue something just for its own sake.
Should I study abroad?
For many, studying abroad is an amazing and enlightening experience, while for others, studying abroad could be something that is completely unnecessary, and this completely depends on the person. I am currently grappling with this myself. There are many learning experiences you can have abroad that you won’t be able to get at Hamilton. Some examples could be to learn a language, live more independently, bond with a family through a homestay, immerse yourself in a different culture, or learn about the government/health system through an internship or research. Traveling with your friends can be a legitimate reason to go, but even so you should try to find reasons independent of that which could make your experience fulfilling. On the other hand, staying at Hamilton could be the right move for you. Life at Hamilton still goes on when your friends are abroad, and there is such a tight knit community here that you would inevitably make your own connections or foster old ones if you stayed. It might be nice to have a semester without your closest friends on campus because you will inevitably branch out and have new experiences. Ask yourself: does this make sense for my field of study? Determining a more specific abroad program might make it easier for you to navigate this decision.
At Hamilton everyone seems to be in each other’s business. How do I not let that get in my head?
While Hamilton’s small size has countless merits, I have found — and my friends agree — that it can sometimes feel like we are living in a complete bubble. Everyone seems to be invested in everyone else’s lives here, myself included, and while that can definitely be fun sometimes, but it can also feel overwhelming. I find it helpful to remind myself that I still have a life outside of here. It’s important to continue to foster your relationships from home. Call your friends and family. If you know someone with a car, try to get off campus. Engage in HAVOC’s community service opportunities. Make time to consume media. Watch movies and T.V. shows, or even the news. Doing all of these things will help you feel a little more grounded in reality and make the noise of Hamilton gossip just a little bit quieter.
How should I form relationships with my teachers?
In larger classes especially, it can be hard to form a relationship with your professors. While it can be daunting, going to office hours with questions about assignments or just merely a couple of questions about something you talked about in class can be a great way to connect. If office hours seem daunting, emailing professors your thoughts about a lecture or reading is a great way to show them that you are engaged with the course material. It’s also important to remember that professors are people too. They are also dealing with their own worries and stresses. Keeping this in mind makes the prospect of talking with them a little less daunting.
