“Do you know what you’re majoring in yet?” — is the all too familiar question we perpetually face, especially us sophomores on the brink of a day we can no longer push off as a distant date far in the future. It is the classic zinger we all desperately cling to in those awkward silences during lunches with a new friend or in the time leftover between group work and the resumption of a professor’s lecture.
Arriving at Hamilton, I had big dreams: “Neuroscience and Government,” “Literature and History” and even “Biology and Public Policy” — I have given a bazillion different responses to the infamous “major question,” trying on different combinations for size. As the three words rolled off my tongue, I’d get a little buzz of adrenaline, basking in
the glorious prowess of being a double-majorer. I loved adding that little “and X major.” It had such a prestigious ring to it. But alas, after my career as an intended double-majorer, I’ve decided to hang up this distant dream. I’m just a “majorer” now, leaving behind my pride and embracing the offerings of a liberal arts education.
In the name of “rigor,” college students across the nation are opting to double major, bereaving themselves of the knowledge and value that comes with diverse coursework. Rather than forcing yourself to fit into a second major, Hamilton students should consider honing their focus to one major and making use of Hamilton’s liberal arts promise. Take classes in dance, music, sociology, philosophy and neuroscience. Diversify your coursework and relish in the knowledge that comes from exposure to disparate disciplines and perspectives. The solutions of tomorrow will only find resolutions through the work of varied disciplines.
Embedded in every social problem lies economic, anthropologic and even artistic questions. Narrowing your curriculum will only serve to limit the scope of your knowledge and ability to confront problems in your career and civic life. Forcing yourself to fit the constraints of an additional major robs you of the joy that comes from drawing connections between polarized fields of knowledge. You might be thinking, as I used to, that double majoring gives you more bang for your buck — getting “two for the price of one” type of logic. Soldiering through the often dry prerequisites for two majors surely will not earn you more return on your investment. Experimentation, tailoring a curriculum to your varied interests, making your education playful and, God forbid, fun? That’s more like it.
Practically speaking, that second major will not dazzle your future employers in the way you might think. An array of diverse coursework, showcasing your ability in different fields and overall versatility? That is compelling. Employers want creative thinkers, strong communicators and clever problem-solvers–these skills will emerge if you engage with Hamilton’s liberal arts curriculum and test your abilities through a range of coursework. Moreover, a diverse curriculum will show employers your appreciation for schools of thought that extend beyond your immediate interests.
Join me as a “majorer” by leaning into the strengths of Hamilton’s wide range of fascinating coursework and allowing yourself to experience the joys of intellectual exploration.