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Lauren Romzek

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I am a soon to be high school graduate, attending a big university in the fall and have no idea what to study? Help!

All of my life I have wanted to be a secondary education math teacher. That has all changed very quickly this past year. What do I do? I am passionate about music but not inclined enough to pursue that kind of career. I work very well with others, love math and thrive off of getting myself out of difficult situations. I don't like to work under a whole lot of pressure but enjoy the rush of getting projects done. I do well at presenting information in new and inovative ways. Any sugggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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  • P C

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    Jun 7 2012: Just reminding you that math is part of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Check out other STEM fields. Based on what you mentioned in not wanting deadlines, might I recommend one of the sciences? If math is really your cup of tea, then why not just major in math?
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Jun 3 2012: Dtufy the most challenging and fascinating topic you can find. Failing that economic is usually a great choice for future employment.
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    May 31 2012: Lauren, You left out a very imprtant peice of the puzzle. What happened to "very quickly change" your desire to be a secondary math teacher?

    Do two years at the local U .... take off for a year ... that chance to mature will change your perspective on many things.

    Many people use the term "find your passion" and major in that. I don't buy it. Most people will not work in the area of their major. If everyone who graduated in Phys Ed worked in the area we would be undulated with gym teachers. Only so many history teachers, etc ...

    This is your decision. Remember you do not have to rush into it. Time is your ally. All the best. Bob
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    May 28 2012: Here is what worked for me in academia:
    1) Never miss a class. (This alone without one bit of study will almost guarantee that you retain enoiugh info to pass)
    2) I always take notes as the prof speaks. The note taking seems to reinforce the points in mymind. (Two methods of inputting the stuff) Other people do better concentrating on what s/ he says.
    3) Learn your own learning style and work with it!
    4) Read all of the material. I high light the important stuff and when I study I read my notes and ONLY the highlighted sections of the papers or text.
    5)Sleep the night before the exam. your brain needs this to integrate and remember the stuff. This is a fact. Neber ever stay up and study.
    6)just before you go into an exam drink a Coke classic. The caffeine will help you concentrate. (Have a good meal before that or you ,ight get the shakes aned that's no good.)
    7 If you feel like the fact you are looking for is on the tip of your tongue but it will not come, shake your non-dominant hand a little. It might make your brain cough it up
    !Good luck, TEDsters everywhere are rooting for you!

  • Eric Hazelle

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    May 28 2012: Technically, your first year at college should be loaded with general introductory courses in any case. Take those courses recommended, they'll give you credits needed for graduation anyway, and maybe something will stir your interest. I changed my major from communications to history on these grounds. (Wound up driving a truck, but I still love history.) As to specifics, if you love math and difficult challenges, engineering might be good. Could you translate scientific jargon into intelligible English so prospective buyers of a tech companies product could understand what it does, and how it could benefit them? You might try P.R. or advertising. Best of luck my young friend; your future will unfold in ways you can't even imagine yet! I'm excited for you.
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    May 28 2012: One of the great purposes of the university is to offer exposure to a range of courses so that you can be broadly educated and discover the areas that most interest you. You will almost certainly take freshman writing, which is incredibly important, because communication in writing enters so many fields. Your school will also require courses that build your analytical skills, which should be interesting for you, because different fields require different sorts of analysis, or ways of reaching conclusions from theory and evidence. If you enjoy math, you will likely continue with that in your first year, but it takes a couple of years before a student typically does the sort of math mathematicians do. High school math is more like the sort of math that is used in engineering and applied fields.
    As you approach your education, you might want to think about what areas that are important areas of potential contribution most appeal to you. If you are interested in problem solving, that might steer you toward engineering, if it is physical problems that interest you. If your interest is more in social problems, statistics is a field that allows you to do do research into cause and effect, including identifying what the policy levers might be that have greatest potential to make a difference.
    Regardless of your interests, I think some basic computer science is becoming fundamental for people who might move into an area that involves mathematics, but even areas like information management in a library context demand computing.
    Your university probably offers or requires an integrated humanities course. I would recommend something like this to give yourself a big picture of the emergence of civilizations and the big themes that connect us.
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    edward long 100+

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    May 28 2012: Study the options available to you.

  • robert hensley

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    May 28 2012: Remember that you don't have to declare your area of study right off :-) which is a good thing, because as you experience college it is likely that you will come in contact with knowledge that can help you make a more informed decision or verify the decision you are considering.

    If you do go the math route, I would suggest looking into doing some tutoring. Many campuses have an area that offers tutoring to its enrolled students (in turn offering a place to be a tutor). Tutoring can be a great way to retain what you learn, help others, and decide to what extent you may want to share your knowledge and understanding.
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    Linda Taylor 50+

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    May 28 2012: Check out statistics.
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