How can I fit in everything I want to learn in college? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question

I want to major in Sociology (and very possibly double major in Political Science). Sociology will always be my main degree, or my main major, but I love Political Science just as much as sociology. So that one is easy...double major. No problem! But this is where it gets tricky... I want to know A LOT about Economics as well as Spanish. I want to be very very fluent in Spanish. With the double major in Sociology and Political Science I don't think I will have as many electives to devote to the other subjects that won't already be taken up by some sort of Political Science or Sociology class. Any advice?

I love learning. My ultimate dream is to get a PhD in Sociology one day. But for now I am still in undergrad and trying to figure out how to fit it all in.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

You have a few options:

1) Be a college student for a really long time to learn everything offered at the college that you want to learn.

2) Focus on what is most important to you--the sociology PhD--and recognize that you have a life-time ahead of you, a lifetime of learning to work on some or all of the other things that interest you.

3) Focus on the PhD and look at alternative ways of learning Spanish--summer classes, purchasing a program to use at home during the summer (focus on your school work during your school semesters!), taking an immersion program for a year after you get your first degree (the Spanish department at your college will probably have information on the types of programs that exist like this--studying in a Spanish-speaking country or something else).

Let me say this, as someone who has studied languages and who has a best friend who majored in French in university and did well but came out of it still not really bilingual: studying a language in college will NOT make you very, very fluent. Only talking with people and putting yourself in situations where you use it a lot will. See if there are any Spanish/Hispanic societies where you live and if they perhaps offer conversational classes, language learning programs, etc. Ideally, spending a year where everything around you is in Spanish would be the way to go.

Answer 2

Poli-sci majors are usually required to take at least micro- and macroeconomics.  Also, foreign language credits should apply to your poli-sci major as well.  

Answer 3

You don't have to take classes in college in order to learn about a subject. I have a lot of friends who learned Spanish by working at restaurants or using Rosetta Stone. You could even look into making trips to Spanish-speaking countries during your summer or spring break vacations. There are tons of volunteer programs out there, and by volunteering in low-income areas that are mostly Spanish-speaking, you would learn alot about people, Spanish, AND Economics. Also, what about the PeaceCorp? You get to meet awesome people, go to amazing places, and use your skills to better the lives of others. Plus, you get help with tuition!

While you are on your school breaks, buy/check-out books about other subjects you are interested in. I am a graduate student in Education, but I have learned a TON about Tudor-era England just by reading books about the subject over this past summer. Let college majors give you a career, and keep some subjects for your lifetime-learning goals. Like I said--learning and education are not only found on college campuses!

Answer 4

With all the classes you want to take the only way of fitting them in is taking a heavy load each semester, also take summer classes and you might even have to go an extra year or two---and that's ok if you love it so much.  Good luck! :)