How difficult is majoring in history?

Hey everyone! I've been considering history as a potential major for when I apply to college next year. To any history majors out there, how challenging did you find the coursework? Did it take up a lot of your time compared to other majors?

Hello! While the difficulty of majoring in history can vary depending on the specific school and individual student, there are some general aspects you can expect.

First, you should be prepared for a considerable amount of reading. As a history major, you'll encounter numerous primary and secondary sources, articles, and books to understand historical events and trends. Analytical reading is a crucial skill, as you'll need to extract essential information, evaluate the credibility of sources, and synthesize different perspectives.

Second, history majors typically require strong writing skills, as you'll need to write countless essays, research papers, and even a thesis in some programs. Developing clear and persuasive arguments supported by evidence will be a significant part of your assignments. As with any subject, practice and feedback will help you improve your writing skills.

Third, critical thinking is vital for history majors. You'll need to analyze and interpret historical events, understand the complexities of cause and effect, and approach issues from multiple perspectives while recognizing potential biases.

As for how time-consuming a history major can be, it depends on a few factors. If you're naturally an avid reader, you may find that the reading aspect is not as time-consuming as it might be for others. Similarly, you'll want to be mindful about how long you'd need to write essays and term papers, to ensure these requirements for many history courses won't be overwhelming for you.

Of course, if you're passionate about history, that can make spending even a significant amount of time on your work feel fulfilling. Overall, the difficulty of a history major depends on your personal strengths, interests, and the school you attend. The most important thing is to maintain a genuine love for the subject, because that will drive you to succeed and make the coursework more enjoyable, no matter the amount of reading or writing you're responsible for. Good luck in your college search, and future academic endeavors!