I don't like my speciality,what can I do

@HeidiD (167)
China
July 15, 2009 8:09am CST
After one year unniversity life,I don't think like my speciality.I major in mathematics,but I want to learn construction or civil engineering.What can I do? Go on to learn mathematics and try to love it or change my speciality.What's more, changing my speciality is not easy.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
15 Jul 09
Maybe you should stick with mathematics for a while. I know that civil engineering requires a lot of math. Where do you go to school that makes it hard to change your major? Maybe you could go to another country where it is easier to get into what you want to. I hope this helps.
@HeidiD (167)
• China
15 Jul 09
I am from China.There are a lot of different between our countries.I've heard that the US would provide more chance for students to show their hobbies and talent.Goning to another country is one of my dream.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
15 Jul 09
If you have the dream of going to another country, then you should do it!!! It won't be easy, but I'm sure that you can find a way. I know that money will be the biggest issue so see what you can do about saving money. I don't know if your country has student loans, but perhaps you can find a way to come up for the money to go somewhere. Would you be able to do that? Let me know if I can help you with your English. I am working on becoming a teacher and I have taught English in China for two years before coming back to America so I know a little about what you are going through. Good luck!!!
@HeidiD (167)
• China
16 Jul 09
Thank you.What confusing me now is my major.Before I go to foreign country,I have to make the decision.
1 person likes this
@LiAXaZu (183)
• Philippines
15 Jul 09
i've had that same problem before and to tell you the truth it is not easy. what you can do is really think about it before you make a decision. ask yourself what would really make you happy. because it doesn't matter which specialty you are in, what matters is whether you are enjoying when you are learning about it. on the other hand, if you really like to change your specialty, it wouldn't matter if changing is difficult or not. if you like it, then do it. if not, then don't. don't get me wrong but i may be a little concerned because it happened to me. i thought of changing courses but i didn't do it. instead, i tried to love my specialty and i truly regretted it until today. so you should really be careful in making your decision. what you can also do is to think what would you want to do after you graduate. is it in math or in construction? whatever your answer will be, then that is where you should go. but hey, you can always get a double degree or an MA after you graduate. :)
@LiAXaZu (183)
• Philippines
16 Jul 09
it is really sad that instead of helping out the students, the university itself gives policies that are just unbearable for the students.
@HeidiD (167)
• China
15 Jul 09
a double degree is really good,but some policy in my school is unbearable.
• China
15 Jul 09
i am facing the same problem with you,i just know how to deal with it!i major in international trade,i thought i would like it,but apparently not!i like design!how i wanted to be a famous designer in the world...but actually my dreams failed~~ i hope you can follow your dreams,never push youself to do something you do not like,you know what it is a great joy to do thing you are interested in!!treasure the opportunities you have,it is not late to make a decision! have a nice day
@HeidiD (167)
• China
15 Jul 09
What a pity.We Chinese student.The same to you.Good day.
• Philippines
15 Jul 09
Please take your time before you consider any major change. It must have taken you some time before you reached the field of study you have labored for a year now. Try to recall your very reason of taking up the course. What might happen if you just shift to a different program is that you would see yourself going back to Mathematics or moving on to a different field; and before you would ever know, you have transferred from one program to the next, wasting time and money, finishing none. I hope you don't mind me sharing my personal experience. My mother's advise was to finish the course I was taking before moving on to the field I thought would be better for me. Later, I realized that I did the right thing. I came to face a similar scenario again when I was taking my doctor's degree. I first took a course on Research and Evaluation. The mathematical demand of the specialization was too much. I only saw sponge bob in one of the formulas! I talked with the dean and she was firm in giving me my initial and final permission to take another course closer to my heart which is Literature. So, do not just change specialty because you are feeling down for the moment. Money can always be found. However, a year that you spent to complete all the requirements is already a big investment. Would you be willing to simply leave such accomplishment? Do you really need to move because the field of study is just too much and you are totally no longer happy with it? Haste makes waste. Please take a very careful time thinking. May the best of luck be with you.
@HeidiD (167)
• China
15 Jul 09
yes,one year is important.I'll think carefully before finally decided.
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
15 Jul 09
Look at it this way - sometimes the things that we hate are the things that we love most in the end. There are examples where people who study Engineering in university, get a good engineering degree, but in the end find their love in Gardening and make gardening or music as their career!! I've students who change major after their one year of foundation studies, so I personally believe that if you're able to change it (no matter how difficult), then go ahead and change. Before you do that, I hope you'll really consider carefully about this decision. Are you able to cope with new subjects at this stage - after one year? I'm not here to decide for you. As I don't know how the system in your university works, it's more appropriate if you talk to your Academic Advisor or Education Counselor about this before you make that crucial decision. Good luck ok? Hope this response helps a bit.
@HeidiD (167)
• China
15 Jul 09
I really appreciate your advice in another view.It let me think more about my whole life.
• China
24 Aug 09
it's not easy. i'm facing a similar situition. I'm a chinese student also, but i know how it works in america, cause i've been there before. Probably it's the only way that I know for foreign students, but maybe I was wrong: you can apply a second bachelor degree if your grades are good and you already have a bachelor degree in your university. but seemingly, you're still taking your soph, so maybe you can transfer to an american univeristy first and than take all the courses you need to before you switch(which would be a lot of money! for international student, 300 dollars each unit probably), or you can go to a community college which is cheaper like 200 bucks per unit and finish up like 30 units or so before you really get a degree on whatever your preference is.so yes, there's a way always but be careful with the time and money! see if you can bear it!
@hcp_nj (108)
• India
17 Jul 09
All is happening in life. You want to choose your education as per your requirement, but it goes on a wrong track. It is important to be sucessful whatever the challenge is
@wkylady (48)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I would advise you to change your specialty to something you like, that you will enjoy doing. Don't try to force yourself to try to like something that you just don't. This is preparation for your work future. Plan now to be doing something you will enjoy, and not something you will hate. By the way, if you want to check out an American university, check out the University of Kentucky. It is a great school, and located in my home state - which is very pretty.