Ask Jackie: Vol. 2

What are the pros/cons of being a history/politics double major? 

I love double majoring in two subjects I’m passionate about! But, here are some pros and cons:  

Pros:

– Oftentimes, I feel like I get a fuller picture of things I’m learning. There’s obviously a lot of overlap between history and politics since the two are often in conversation with each other, especially in my U.S. concentration. Learning about each subject enriches my overall understanding of what I’m learning about and helps me pick up on things that I maybe wouldn’t have recognized. For example, learning about the conservative social policies of the 1980s is one thing, but understanding the politics behind welfare state retrenchment adds depth to this historical episode. 

– I love learning about both subjects by reading so many good books! For this quarter, I’m reading several in-depth books about the FBI for history and a book on congressional elections for politics, and I’m loving them so far! 

Cons:

– It’s a LOT of planning and coordination. Juggling two majors means juggling two different sets of requirements and major advisors to interact with. Planning is smart no matter how many majors you have, so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But, it’s something to be aware of. I’m also an Education minor, so it’s sometimes a struggle prioritizing classes during first and second pass enrollment to make sure I get into the classes I need. And if the history and politics classes I want to take conflict with one another, I have to sacrifice one subject and pick my second choice class. 

– I miss out on fun elective classes that I otherwise would’ve loved to take. UCSC has so many fun classes that I wish I could take, like Vampires, 1970s Rock Music, the Beatles, Monsters, etc. Sometimes it feels like I’m missing out, but I always remind myself of my end goal. 

Should I graduate early if I have the opportunity to do so?

Graduating early is a big decision. The next few factors that I lay out will carry varying weight depending on the person, so consider these things based on your own end goals. Graduate early if you feel ready for the next chapter of your life, whether that be heading directly to the job market, grad school, or a gap year. Undoubtedly, graduating early carries with it a huge financial benefit, so that’s definitely something to consider when making your decision. However, I’d caution away from graduating early if you feel stressed or overwhelmed to get everything together in time.

This stress might be worth it for some people, but perhaps not for others. Nevertheless, seriously consider if this is right for you and your mental well-being during this time in your life. Also, don’t graduate early if experiences are important to you. This might not be as big of a factor now due to covid, but it’s still something to consider because you want your college experience to feel “complete” by your departure. Other questions to ask yourself are: What unique opportunities would you have if you graduated early? Would you be at an advantage for job or internship opportunities? Regardless, I’d recommend making a detailed plan of the rest of your college career until your desired graduation date so you can realistically see how you can accomplish this. Keep in mind the reality of if you’re not able to enroll into a class that you absolutely need to graduate. Do you have enough wiggle room to still meet your early graduation goal, or is the plan now significantly shattered because of this setback? These are things to be aware of. If you’re feeling uncertain or don’t know where to start, consider talking to an academic adviser for further assistance. 

How Do I Find New Hobbies?

Now more than ever, finding hobbies is a great way to stay entertained while staying inside! 

To find new hobbies, first try googling ‘hobbies to try’ and you can find many articles and listicles to give you some fun ideas. You can learn almost anything by watching YouTube tutorials and perusing other online guides. What did you used to enjoy doing but stopped? Did you used to be an avid reader, a habitual artist, or an adventurous rock collector? Think back to things you used to do when you were younger and had more free time, as this might be a great place to start and rekindle past interests. However, dipping your toes into something new can also be exciting! What’s something you always wanted to try? What’s something you’ve always thought was cool, but never had the time or energy to try? Maybe you’ve seen fun ideas on TikTok or Pinterest that caught your interest. Inspiration for hobbies can be found anywhere. Also, consider asking your friends and family members what they enjoy doing in their free time. 

Specifically, ask them how they got into their hobbies and this might spark something in you.  For hobbies, nothing’s off limits. Think outside the box, but also don’t be afraid to stay inside the box if that’s more your style. If you’re more of a practical person who hates the idea of “wasting” time, you can try more productive hobbies like cooking or exercise. But remember, time you enjoy spending is never wasted! Nevertheless, honing in on hobbies that you might already be doing on a daily basis can sometimes be the easiest way to start indulging in interests for a happier you. 

• advice
• double major
• early graduation
• graduate early
• hobbies