Anyone know alot about college?

Question

Hi, i have just enrolled in college. When i was enrolling, the lady enrolling me just asked what i was interested in studying and i said Criminal Justice (Thats what i want to major in), So she gave me Introduction to Criminal Justice, which is understandable for a freshman, and then she just gave me classes like public speaking and a few other things that i really dont know what they are. But my question is why didnt she ask me what i wanted to minor in or what subject of Criminal Justice i wanted to study (there are like 20 different subjects in criminal justice and im not interested in all of them). I'll appreciate any advice and help, Because i really dont know anything about how college works, which makes me fell kinda dumb, but thanx everyone.

Answer 1

You need to be a bit more proactive I think. Look at through a college catalog and decide what you want to major and minor in. Look at a schedule of courses to see what you want to take. Go to your academic adviser and make it happen. They can help answer any questions you have.

Answer 2

Don't worry... you'll figure it out. The admissions person isn't really equipped to talk to you in depth about your course of study. She's better at pointing you toward general requirements such as the public speaking course.

In your first year (and to a smaller extent in your second year) you will be signed up for courses that aren't directly related to your major. The idea is that these courses are giving you "general skills" that your major won't give you. Though many students see them as irrelevant (and sometimes they are), others recognize their importance as a foundation for more specific work. No doubt, the further along you go, the more satisfied you'll be with your courses, because they'll gradually become closer to what you want to do. But college eases you into your career rather than throwing you right in.

There's a good reason for this -- you'll find college is important for a lot of things other than preparing for your job. You'll mature a lot, and you'll learn more about the kind of person you want to be outside of your career. Early coursework and extracurricular activity, hopefully, will help you define your goals in those areas.

Additionally, as many students learn more about themselves, they find themselves changing their majors. College is designed to allow that to happen if desired. And that's a good thing, because *tons* of students realize, part of the way through their course of study, that they're actually more interested in something else. Where I teach (the University of New Hampshire) over 60 percent of undergrads either move from "undecided" to a specific major, or change their major altogther, during their first year! So... you might consider yourself pretty well decided on your career, but keep an open mind because college will reveal interests you never knew you had.

You'll have a faculty advisor, who will help you select courses within your major. Sometimes these advisors are really good, sometimes they aren't. I always try to tell undergraduates that, if their advisor isn't helpful enough, they should seek out another by asking their experienced fellow students who they'd recommend. A good advisor will keep you from wasting precious time and getting stuck in courses that you hate, so exercise your right to get a good one.

Answer 3

Most first year university courses are introductory courses and cover a lot of subject areas. Some people might not know what area of criminal justice they want to get into so they give you a little of everything. Later on in your degree there are more specific courses that you will probably take that will focus on your particular interests. In my experience most people, even if they have an idea of what they want to take in University in their first year it will change at least a little bit as they go along. Keep an open mind, even if you want to major in Criminal Justice, you might end up with a passion for English and want to minor in it (Crazy I know...) There is a little flexibility in your first year I think your first year courses are meant to reflect that a little bit.

Answer 4

You have plenty of time to choose a minor, or even a major for that matter. Freshman courses are all introductory courses. Talk to your advisor at the end of your freshman year.

Answer 5

its probably all the same classes for freshman year, and if you want to minor you have to tell her. they dont really ask. go to your advisor when you move in

Answer 6

Being an idiot is the first prerequisite for being a councilor.

Take the classes you want, be happy, and succeed.