You've gotta have a plan.

Every time I start a new class I make new friends. Typically, the first question is, "so, what are you majoring in?"

Most young adults have a typical idea of what they want to go to school for, what they want to be when they are done... but no one really researches it. I think that's the most important part of choosing a major, is to find out where it's going to take you.

Very few students are actually so well prepared that they have a complete 4-6 year map of what they are going to accomplish.

I am majoring in Architecture, and I have done so much research on colleges, internships, exams, etc, etc, etc. I find it funny when I ask a classmate where they plan on transferring, and they tell me they don't.

"You can't get much from your education at Norco College."
"Yeah, you can get a Certificate."
"Which doesn't get you far."
"Well, I'm going to get my Associates in Science for Architecture and get a job with that."

Well, I hear you'll need an AA/AS to get a job at McDonalds soon... The minimum amount of time it takes to become an licensed and working Architect is a 5-year full-time program, an internship, and a licensing exam. Not some community college associate program. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Norco College!! I think it's a great start for an Associates degree, but it's a start... a stepping stone... not a final goal.

My advice to anyone in college, is to find out what you want to be, and how to get there. Find the best schools, what education you need, what scholarships you can qualify for, what transfers and what doesn't, which classes apply better towards your major, how long it will take, etc. Talk to those IN the profession you are seeking! There are so many ways to get ahead of the game. You just gotta take the time to find what they are.