Psych 101 Helped Me Choose My Major

The concepts of satisficing and maximizing played a crucial role in guiding my decision-making process when it came to selecting my major in college. I learned about it in my Psychology 101 class in Fall quarter 2021, my first quarter at UW. Satisficing, which refers to the idea of seeking a solution or option that meets a satisfactory level of criteria rather than the optimal one, allowed me to focus on finding a field of study that aligned with my interests and career aspirations without getting overwhelmed by the pressure to find the absolute best choice. I often fall into the trap of trying to be too perfectionistic in my choices, rather than just trying things out. I remember sitting on my dorm room bed at night, poring over all the different majors offered at UW. I crossed off the ones I didn't like and found comfort in knowing that I would be okay in any of the remaining options on my list. This approach of satisficing helped me to filter through the abundance of options and identify those that met my essential requirements, such as my personal values, career paths, and alignment with my strengths.

On the other hand, the concept of maximizing, which involves striving for the best possible outcome by thoroughly evaluating all available options, also influenced my decision. This mindset encouraged me to conduct extensive research into different majors, considering factors such as the curriculum, potential career opportunities, and the skills I would acquire. While I initially felt tempted to pursue a maximizing approach, I soon realized that it was only leading me to analysis paralysis, where the fear of making the wrong choice could prevent me from moving forward. Balancing these two concepts allowed me to make an informed decision that felt right for me, ultimately choosing the ECO major that not only satisfied my immediate criteria but also left room for growth and exploration in my academic journey.