原文：Picking a major was one of the most difficult, yet exciting, decisions I had to make in college. As aninternational student, I found this process particularly unfamiliar since the major system in China is completely different. At home,in the process of picking the schools you apply to, you essentially have already picked a major. Most U.S. colleges don't require you to declare a major until sophomore year. The great thing about this is that it gives you some time to explore different academic subjects before you make a decision. It can be a difficult decision to make, and it's a big one that is likely to shape your future. Below are some tips that might help you navigate through the major system in U.S. colleges.

　　译文：在美国上大学，选专业是一件既困难又令人激动的一件事，选课的过程跟中国专业体系和选择方式完全不一样。在中国，你在填写学校志愿的时候就相当于已经选择好了专业，而美国的大学并不要求你马上做出决定，你可以等到大二学年的时候再选定专业。这样做的好处就是在做出决定之前，你有时间和机会尝试不同的领域专业，选出最合适的。而选专业这个重大而有困难的决定明显会对你未来造成影响。下面几条建议或许可以帮助你了解美国大学的专业体系，更好地做出选择。

　　原文：Spend your freshman year researching subjects that interest you: Take as many courses in as many different departments as you can. This is not just a great way to fulfill your elective requirements, but also a great way to find out which major will be best suited for you.

　　You might already know what you want to major in, but don't be set on that decision until you know about all your options. I was very sure that I would become an economics major, but ended up in the math department. I absolutely loved the way math was taught at Colorado College. It included small classes, many interactions between students and professors, ample research opportunities and I got along famously with everyone in the department.

　　I never would have made the decision to become a math major without taking calculus out of curiosity during my freshman year. Do the same thing, and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you are good at, or what gets you excited.

　　译文：大学第一年多研究一些自己感兴趣的学科：尽量选择多一点课程，且要从不同的类型考虑出发。这不仅可以满足你选修课的需求，也能让你找出最适合自己的专业。

　　或许你已经大概知道自己想选哪个专业了，但别急着先定下来，等你了解了你选择的所有课程之后再做决定也不迟。我之前也非常确定自己会选择经济类专业，但最后却选了数学。我非常喜欢科罗拉多学院的数学教学方式。那是小班授课，学生和教授会有很多的互动，在那里我得到了很多研究机会，同时与班上的同学相处也非常融洽。

　　如果不是大一的时候我发现自己对微积分非常感兴趣，我最后也不会选择数学专业。你也可以这样试试，或许你会发现自己喜欢什么、擅长哪一科目，或者哪个专业更让你兴奋。

　　原文：Talk to your academic adviser, professors and upperclassmen: Academic staff members have a good understanding of the majors offered by the school, the requirements for each major and of you as a student. They will be able to give you some valuable information that might not be clear to you from the departments' website or from a class syllabus.

　　For example, I found out from talking to some professors that I could do a joint thesis that fulfilled both an economics and a math major. I learned from talking to an upperclassman that many economics students spend a semester at a university in Sweden that had a joint program with our school.

　　译文：跟你的学业顾问、教授或者高年级的学生聊一聊：一般，学术人员对学校所开的专业都非常了解，他们知道每个专业有什么要求，而你的条件又是否合适该专业。或许他们能给你一些非常有价值的信息与建议，解答你有所疑惑的地方，而这些你也可以去学院网站或班级课程大纲上了解。

　　比如，我跟一些教授聊过之后我发现我可以选一个经济学与数学相结合的专业。而后来我跟一个高年级学生聊天才知道我们学校许多经济系的学生会花一个学期的时间去瑞典的一个大学，那里跟我们学校有共同联合项目可选。

　　原文：Map out which classes you will need to take and when: The sooner you have a plan to fulfill your major, the better. This will help you avoid any surprises – you don't want to show up in a class only to be turned away because you haven't taken a prerequisite course.

　　Additionally, when you have a roadmap of classes, you can build in additional time to take other classes not in your major, have a minor or a second major or study abroad.

　　译文：标记好哪些课程是你要去的，什么时候要去：越快制定一个专业计划越好，这样可以帮你避免意外，如果你不想去上哪个课了，直接不去就是了，因为你没有选它作预休课程。

　　另外，如果你有一张课程计划表，那么在你有时间的时候就可以去参加一些非本专业的课，这样你就能有个第二专业了。

　　原文：Another International Student Counsel post recommended picking a major that you love, not one that you think will get you a high-paying job. I could not agree more.

　　Remember that even though this is an important decision that might affect the outcome of your life, many people end up with a job outside of their majors. College is time to learn the skills that will prepare you for life, such as thinking critically, writing a research paper, giving a presentation and making lifelong connections. Almost any major will teach you these things as long as you are willing and open to learning.

　　If you really absolutely need to major in biology and become a doctor like your mom had hoped, then you still have the option of having a minor or another major in a subject you enjoy. Good luck!

　　译文：留学生顾问会建议学生选择自己喜欢的专业而不是选一个你认为以后可能会拿高薪的专业，我非常赞同这一点。

　　记住，即便选择专业是个非常重要的决定，可能会影响你以后的收入，但事实上许多人后来会从事自己专业以外的工作。大学是你学会生活技能，为以后生活做准备的一个阶段，比如批判思维、写研究论文、做报告这些都终身受用。几乎所有的专业都会教会你这些事情，前提是你愿意敞开学。

　　如果你妈妈想让你成为一名医生，你一定得学生物学专业，但你仍然可以选择一个自己喜欢的第二专业。