Process of Choosing a College Major

Are you having difficulty choosing a college major?  Are you unsure what you want to do for a career?  You are not alone.

I meet with numerous students who are undecided in their major or career.  In fact, many first enter my office with a single primary concern, "I just want a good paying job, what classes do I need?" Students verbally and non-verbally communicate their woes, worries, excitement and epiphanies, during our 30-minute academic advising appointments, as they attempt to choose the next term classes.  This produces both opportunities and challenges during their academic planning process.

As we discuss opportunities for new beginnings, making plans, learning and growth, students experience a wide-range of emotion.  Some perceive endless doors and are filled with excitement as they explore a future lit with possibility.  Others find themselves gripped with fear, or even perhaps apathy at the thought of choosing a college major. 

Most students experience doubt in their abilities at points, particularly in the first few terms, and varying degrees of fear of "choosing the wrong path."  When ambivalence takes hold, a perfect storm of decision-making deadlock and procrastination occurs.


Fear escapes them as they convey worries of the perpetual "what if."  "What if I invest time and money into a degree that won't produce a financial return."  "What if I don't like this career."  "What if I change my mind." "What if I fail." "What if what I love isn't valuable in the job market."


Internal wrestling matches surface as students search to find "their way" and for the confidence to make decisions.  Unfortunately, this very desperation and weariness may lead some to procrastinate decisions as they become locked in fear of making the "wrong" one.

During these points of standstill, students may struggle finding motivation to persist to the proverbial "finish line."  As students struggle balancing school and life, they simultaneously struggle holding onto their goal to complete, especially through a fraught-filled decision-making process towards an obscure "end" goal.  This seems particularly hard for those immersed in the day-to-day grind to survive or while experiencing an external crisis.   Sometimes desperation for structure and framework takes hold as these weary survivors seek a clearer picture of a "finish line" to run toward. 

Fortunately, COCC has responded in a variety of ways including an 8-step guideline to help students through the the exploration process.  One of those steps includes a FREE, non-credit class, "Process of Choosing a College Major," to help students take the first steps toward determining their college major.  

What many find as they persist toward their goal of choosing a college major, is that the process is as valuable as the product.  Discovering strengths, weaknesses, interests and values is part of the journey towards a degree.  Using a decision-making framework assists many students through the abyss of the unknown.  Arguably, perhaps even more valuable than the degree, is the process of growth, self-reflection and learning it represents, in pursuit of a better future.

Scholarship Day at COCC - January 29th

Scholarship Day at COCC on January 29th, Bend Campus Center

Prizes. Workshops. And More.
Join us in the Campus Center to get tips and information about applying for scholarships.  There will be prizes and great workshops throughout the day.  Scholarship table will have tips and information about applying for scholarships (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

How to become a scholarship front-runner workshops

11-11:30 a.m.

or

1-1:30 p.m. 

Campus Center, Room 116

Winning free money sounds great, but applying for scholarships takes time and effort.  Is it really all worth it?  What pays off the average student debt fastest?  What scholarships should I be applying for?  Come and get answers to these questions and more!

Essay writing workshop

Noon - 12:30 p.m.

Campus Center, Room 116

Focus and hone your writing skills for well-written scholarship statements and essays.

Questions?  Call 541.383.7260 or email coccfinaid@cocc.edu (sponsored by COCC's Financial Aid Office)

In advance of College events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola:  541.383.7775.  For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact Annie Jenkins:  541.383.7743.

Oregon Transfer Day - Monday, January 13th

If you are considering transfer to one of these Oregon schools and would like to talk with a representative in-person, see below….

On, Monday, Jan. 13,  COCC is hosting the Oregon Transfer Days event. It Designed to help community college student successfully transfer to four-year schools. The event will be held at Wille Hall in the Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Institutions that will be attending the event:

Eastern Oregon University, Linfield College, Marylhurst University, National American University, Oregon State University, Oregon State University – Cascades, Oregon Tech, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, The College of Idaho, The Ford Family Foundation (scholarship info), University of Oregon, University of Portland, University of Western States

New Winter Students - Save the Date

Are you new to COCC Winter term?  If you have already registered for classes, we strongly encourage you to attend the Bobcat Orientation. Bobcat Orientation is from 8:30am - 1pm on Friday, January 3rd.  Remember to RSVP (limited space).  The event is held in every campus (Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras) so you may choose the campus that works best for you.  Free food and prizes.

This is a great opportunity to begin early academic success (and help you transition into college).  Although not mandatory, orientation is proving to be a popular and successful event.  Interestingly, students who attend orientation tend to have higher G.P.A's than students who do not.  

This is an opportunity to meet other COCC students, faculty and staff, find your classrooms and win prizes.  Every student receives a free USB drive.  You are entered into drawings for prizes (such as bookstore credit and tuition credit).  In addition you will learn to use the Blackboard and other COCC technology, so you hit the ground running the first week of classes.  Free lunch is served.

Remember to RSVP - space is limited.  For more information go to www.cocc.edu/bobcat-orientation and/or email BobcatOrientation@cocc.edu.

Hope to see you there!

Bookstore Buyback AND Holiday Sale

During finals week, the bookstore pays up to 50% of the original purchase price for books needed for the next quarter…. 

Don’t forget to bring your textbooks to the bookstore during finals week for bookstore buyback.  This is where the bookstore may purchase your textbooks back from you to replenish store stock.

Do check bookstore hours during finals week 

Do learn more at the COCC website:  Bookstore Buyback.

Also, for one day only, Wednesday, December 11th, the bookstore will offer huge savings on large variety of items (from 7:30am to 5:00pm).

Eight fun ways to succeed as a student

Students who engage on campus are more likely to succeed than those who do not.  Here are eight fun ways you might engage at COCC:

Do read the student enews - read monthly newsletter through your student email for upcoming events.

Do read the Broadside Student Newspaper - Read the latest student newspaper at www.TheBroadsideonline.com (All students are welcome to apply for paid and unpaid positions including reporting, editing, design and layout, multi-media communications, photography, and journalism leadership)  Contact 541-383-7252, or email broadsideemail@cocc.edu

Do advocate– through the ASCOCC (Associated Students of COCC) - Student opportunities for governance, advocacy and social programing.  The council is responsible for allocating student fees, appointing students to campus governing committees, advocating for the entire student body and providing diverse social and educational programs and services.  ASCOCC council offers a limited number of paid positions each year.  Contact ASCOCC, 541-383-7595 or visit the website, http://www.cocc.edu/ASCOCC/ for more info.

Do embrace diversity - Check-out the Multicultural Center - Fosters cross-cultural understanding and respect by providing a welcoming setting for learning, sharing and connection.  Open to the public and offers cultural activities and information during the academic year.  Visit the Center in Room 217, Campus Center Building, or the website at http://www.cocc.edu/Multicultural. For more information, contact Karen Roth, director of multicultural activities, at 541-383-7412 or kroth1@cocc.edu.

Do  participate in club sport and intramural and recreation program - some feature friendly competition while others are purely recreational.  Offers a wide range of traditional and nontraditional sports and recreational activities along with special events and tournaments for people of all interests and abilities.  Call 541-383-7794 or visit http://www.cocc.edu/Sports.

Do get fit - Facilities are available for drop-in use throughout the week in Bend for a small per-term user fee.  Passes for local recreation facilities may also be available to students at no cost (swimming and bowling).  Call 541-383-7794 or visit online at http://www.cocc.edu/Sports for more information.

Do join or start  a campus club -Those having questions or ideas about forming a student club or participating in an existing club may contact ASCOCC at 541-383-7595 or visit its website, http://ascocc.cocc.edu/clubsandprograms.

Do venture abroad - The College seeks to provide opportunities for students to study abroad while earning COCC transfer credit.  For specific offerings, visit http://www.cocc.edu/studyabroad.

Week Seven - You are over half-way!

Week Seven Do's and Don't s

Do Schedule advising - Winter registration begins November 18-22 for current degree-seeking students (That's Next Week)!

Do review the academic calendar of important dates.  Take note of last day to drop courses with no display on transcript (November 15th for full-term classes)

Don't wait to contact your academic advisor to schedule an appointment if you are struggling in a course and want to discuss other options or if you need advising clearance.

Questions:  Contact the CAP center at 541-383-7200