Tips on Choosing Your College Minor

Here are some tips for you who might be looking for what they want in a minor:

Find minors related to your chosen field

A great approach in choosing your minor is to look into the wide range of choices available. If you are a Mathematics major, try to find minors that suit you best. You can choose from Algebra, Statistics, Calculus, Geometry, and more. For those majoring in English, consider choices like Journalism, Creative Writing, or Communications.

Choosing a minor close to your field will help you establish key skills to your major then will soon be helpful for your future work. Aside from this, you can also acquire other skills that you wouldn’t get in your major. Some colleges do not require a major but having one will show how you focus and thrive to learn.

Choose something you like, even if it doesn’t relate to your major

It is important that what you pick for minors should be something that you have an interest in. It’s fine if it does not necessarily coincide with your preferred major. When you declare a minor in a different field, it will help you learn and expand knowledge on something outside your major.

If you are an English major, you can opt to have a minor in Sociology if that is what you really want. It is a valid and wise choice, as studying human societies will give you a deeper understanding of the world and its people, which gives you an edge when you want a career in education, writing and publishing, journalism, and public relations. 

Consider a cognate

A cognate is an option for students to explore different disciplines of study which takes a grouping of about three courses. Many universities offer this to students who decide not to pursue a minor or those that have a lot of credits in another study. Opposite to a minor, a cognate is more flexible due to the course selection.

For example, a law student may take a cognate which is a grouping of courses in Political Science, and one more grouping in English. This is a reasonable choice as the student will need to have a strong understanding of politics while having strong written and verbal communication skills.

When deciding on what to take for a minor, choose what feels right for you. Consider consulting your academic advisor, counselor, parents, or friends for them to assess what they think is best for you. It is all up to you—good luck on your journey!

Learn more tips to help you decide on certain college stuff like study major, study destination, and more. Read our articles at MSM Unify.