How to Choose Your Program

Choosing a program isn't always easy. Here are some tips to help you out!

When it comes to choosing a program at a college or university, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many programs to choose from, and chances are good there are lots you've never even heard of. To help you out, we've listed some tips to help you choose a program.

Have you done your research?

Spend some time on university websites — or sites like StudyinCanada.com — that list an array of schools. Take a look at the programs they offer to get a sense of the variety available. There's more than just English, math, engineering and science to choose from! At Waterloo, there are over 100 programs, so you can find your perfect fit.

What are you interested in?

What classes do you like? What do you like to do in your free time? What's an issue you care deeply about? University is a big investment of time and money. You'll want to make sure you're studying something you're passionate about, or at least interested in.

Think about your end goal. Working toward it can keep you motivated to study and work hard in your classes.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Your grades will play a large role in what programs you get accepted into. If you have an idea of what you may want to study in university, you can figure out the admission requirements, and then work toward meeting them.

If a subject you've always struggled with makes up a large portion of your classes for the program you're interested in, you may want to reevaluate and look into programs that don't focus so heavily on that. Of course, you could always work to shore up your skills where needed.

If you've never been great at math, you probably shouldn't enter into a full math program. If your program of choice requires you to take a math course or two, though, you should be able to push through and do well, by working hard and asking for help.

How do you like to learn?

Think about how you like to learn. Some classes have more hands-on components than others. How do you learn best? What do you enjoy more? Pick a program that has your preferred learning style.

What careers do people you know have? What have people you know studied?

When it comes to thinking about what you're interested in, it can be worthwhile to speak to those around you. Talk to your friends and family members and ask them about their jobs and what they've studied. You could learn about a career field you haven't considered, or learn about a program that might be worth looking into.

We hope this helps you reflect and choose a program that's right for you. If you still can't decide, read our article on what to do when you can't decide on a program. If you're ready for the next step, read our article on factors to consider when choosing a university.