Which Path Will You Choose?
Not every college experience looks the same. One student wrestles with complex equations while another critiques movie scenes in pajamas. Success depends less on smarts and more on the major chosen. We’ll start by exploring the most challenging degrees before moving on to the easier ones. Which one is right for you?
1. Engineering
The first thermodynamics exam usually clears up any illusions. Engineering is a grind built on tough math and problem sets that don’t leave room for guesswork. Accredited by ABET, programs are designed to push limits. Throughout the degree program, labs eat up time, and mistakes cost more than just grades.
2. Architecture
Architecture students live in studio spaces, sketching and rebuilding models until sunrise. The work blends technical training with creative stress. NAAB-accredited programs are notorious for demanding 70–80-hour workweeks. And even when projects end, critiques don’t. Feedback can be as brutal as the deadlines.
Tulane Public Relations on Wikimedia
3. Mathematics
There’s no cramming your way through abstract algebra. Math majors move beyond numbers into a world of logic and pure theory. Proof-based courses like real analysis or topology demand focus. It’s mentally grueling, with little margin for fuzziness. For many, the challenge is staying sharp.
4. Medicine (Pre-Med)
It starts early with biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Then, GPA pressure and clinical volunteering pile on. Every grade counts toward med school admissions. MCAT prep becomes a part-time job. This is about stamina. The pre-med track drains energy and, often, confidence.
Tulane Public Relations on Wikimedia
5. Law (Pre-Law)
Pre-law isn’t a single major, but the path is heavy no matter the focus. Philosophy and political science are common, and both demand serious reading and sharp writing. Preparing for the LSAT adds a new layer of intensity. Precision matters; vagueness gets crushed under logical scrutiny.
Tulane Public Relations on Wikimedia
6. Physics
Quantum mechanics rewires students’ understanding of how the world works. Physics majors dive deep into abstract theories backed by dense mathematics. Differential equations and lab experiments form the backbone. Early research involvement is common, and only the most methodical minds keep pace.
7. Pharmacy
Getting into pharmacy school is tough, but surviving it is tougher. Undergraduates face intense prerequisites like organic chemistry and anatomy. The PharmD program itself demands mastery of pharmacokinetics and clinical simulations. In short, the degree mirrors the profession: high-stakes and no room for guesswork.
8. Veterinary Science
Treating a sick dog is one thing. Diagnosing a goat or hawk adds another layer. Veterinary students study anatomy across species, surgical techniques, disease pathology, and public health. With fewer schools than medicine and fierce competition, this degree is grueling physically and emotionally.
9. Dentistry
Dental school begins with anatomy, physiology, and oral biology before moving to hands-on training with drills, molds, and prosthetic design. Students first work on mannequins in simulation labs, building precision and confidence. Early clinical exposure develops skills essential for patient care.
10. Nursing
There’s the theory on pharmacology and care ethics; then there’s practice. Clinical rotations throw students into hospitals where quick thinking and compassion are non-negotiable. Assessment isn’t just on paper; it’s in patient outcomes. It's a degree shaped by science but driven by people.
For every student grinding through labs and late-night revisions, there’s another breezing past deadlines with a full night’s sleep. Let’s take a closer look at those academic paths.
1. Education
Teaching isn’t without challenges, but the degree structure leans more toward accessibility than intensity. Coursework focuses on learning theory and classroom techniques. Practicum hours are required, as tests are often practical rather than abstract. Still, compared to science-heavy programs, it’s a smoother academic path with a clear purpose.
2. Psychology
This major draws many with its human-focused topics, but the difficulty depends on the depth pursued. Undergraduate psychology sticks to basic research and statistics. Labs are minimal, and discussions dominate. For students comfortable with writing and observation, it’s a manageable way to explore the mind.
3. Communications
Forget dense textbooks and problem sets, as communications courses favor interaction and presentation. Students study public relations and audience behavior. Group projects and digital storytelling often replace exams. Flexibility in assignments and a creative approach to grading make this degree one of the more forgiving.
4. Criminal Justice
Courses focus on systems: courts, law enforcement, and corrections. Real-world examples keep content grounded, while exams test understanding rather than advanced analysis. Also, research isn’t lab-based, and technical jargon is minimal. Many programs allow electives that cater to student interests to make the workload both approachable and relevant.
5. English Literature
Reading and interpretation form the core of this degree. While the material can be dense, the assignments rarely involve objective “right” answers. Students succeed through clear writing and participation. There’s no calculus or lab pressure here, just thoughtful engagement with texts and ideas, which makes the major flexible and accessible.
Kyle Gregory Devaras on Unsplash
6. Sociology
Sociology majors focus on society’s structures through discussion-based courses. The emphasis is on ideas over data. Most work involves writing papers and analyzing trends, not solving equations. Although concepts can be complex, the pace is generally accessible, with grading centered on clarity.
7. Fine Arts
Hours in the studio can be intense, yet this major measures creativity. Projects often replace written exams, and subjective interpretation is valued. Students work in visual media or performance. It’s challenging in a personal way, but academic pressure tends to stay low and flexible.
8. Anthropology
Anthropology blends storytelling and fieldwork. Students study human societies, from ancient civilizations to modern rituals. Instead of high-pressure labs, they write ethnographies and debate theories. Most undergraduate programs offer the option to skip advanced statistics, making it a softer landing for non-technical learners.
9. Marketing
Understanding why people buy things can be more intuitive than technical. Marketing students study branding and campaign strategy. Assignments are often visual or conceptual, with slide decks and mock advertising plans. It’s business with a creative edge.
10. Liberal Studies
Liberal studies offers a flexible framework. Students combine disciplines to craft a broad degree. There’s no fixed path, and that freedom often translates to lighter academic pressure. Less specialization means fewer intense upper-level requirements, so this major is ideal for exploratory or transfer students.
