How can we help students choose their major and make academic decisions?

Choosing a major is one of the most important and complex decisions in a student’s life, having profound effects on their academic, career, and even psychological future. This decision-making not only determines the individual’s future academic path, but can also significantly affect their quality of life, job satisfaction, and even social relationships.

In countries like Iran, where the education system is largely based on specialized fields, this choice is made during high school, and for this reason, this stage is considered one of the most sensitive and stressful stages of education for students.

The main concern is that students in their teens do not yet have the ability to accurately identify their interests, talents, and future career needs, and for this reason, many of them may make the wrong decisions under the influence of social and family pressures or even misconceptions about the future career status of different fields. In addition, the lack of accurate and up-to-date information on career choices and job opportunities is another challenge that can affect these decisions. In this article, we attempt to examine and analyze the factors that influence students’ choice of major.

Choosing a major for the 1403 entrance exam
Table of Contents

The importance of choosing a major and its impact on your academic and career future
The impact of choosing a major on your career future:
The impact of choosing a major on your mental and social health
Challenges and complexities of choosing a major
Social and family pressures:
Lack of information about majors:
Factors affecting the choice of a major
1. Identifying interests and talents:
2. Assessing labor market needs:
3. Family and social influences:
4. Examining personality traits:
Solutions and strategies to help students choose a major
1. Academic counseling:
2. Using psychological and aptitude tests:
3. Awareness of the labor market and job opportunities:
4. Family support and creating a supportive environment:
In conclusion, I must say:
The importance of choosing a major and its impact on your future education and career
The impact of choosing a major on your future career:
Choosing a major in high school is one of the most important educational decisions that affects your future career. Many majors are directly related to the labor market, and the amount of income and career advancement in them depends on the needs of the labor market and economic developments. For example, majors such as engineering, medicine, computer science, and information technology have been in high demand in the labor market in recent years, and graduates of these majors usually have better job opportunities. On the other hand, majors that are less in line with current economic developments may have fewer job opportunities.

In addition, it also affects a person’s job satisfaction. When a person studies a major that they are not interested in or that does not match their talents, the likelihood of future job dissatisfaction is greater. Therefore, choosing the right major can pave the way for future success, advancement, and job satisfaction.

Be sure to read: The impact of an academic advisor in a student dormitory
The impact of choosing a major on mental and social health
Choosing a major not only affects a person’s future career but also their mental health. Students who are forced and pressured by society or family to choose a major that is not in line with their interests and talents may face psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and stress. In contrast, students who pursue a major that they are interested in and see a talent for are likely to have greater psychological satisfaction and will be more motivated to continue their education and efforts in that major.

In addition, it also affects a person’s social relationships and personal life. When students are not satisfied with the major they have chosen, they may feel isolated or depressed, and this can negatively affect the quality of their social relationships.

Challenges and Complexities of Choosing a Major
The process of choosing a major for the ninth grade faces several challenges, including the following:

Lack of awareness of interests and talents: Many students in their teens are still unable to identify their interests and talents well. This lack of awareness can cause them to choose a major that they are not interested in and become dissatisfied with in the future.

Social and family pressures:
Pressure from families and society to choose specific majors, such as medicine or engineering, can cause students to make decisions that do not match their abilities. These pressures are especially pronounced in countries where families place a strong emphasis on education and career success.

Lack of information about majors:
Many students do not have sufficient information about different majors and their career opportunities. For this reason, they may choose a major based solely on rumors or other people’s opinions rather than on careful analysis.

Factors Affecting the Choice of a Major
1. Identifying Interests and Talents:
Appreciating one’s interests and talents is one of the most important factors in choosing a major. This can help a student choose a major that matches their personality, abilities, and personal interests. For example, students who are interested in scientific and research activities may choose majors such as physics, chemistry, or biology, while students who have high social abilities may be more successful in majors such as psychology, social sciences, or management.

2. Assessing Labor Market Needs:
Awareness of labor market conditions