Declaring a major often exacerbates the stress and anxiety experienced by undergraduates.  Three recent findings from the field of development psychology: focusing illusion, growth mindset and deliberate practice are important terms every student needs to know.

An understanding of these terms demonstrates very clearly that students across all majors have the potential to develop successful and rewarding careers.  With that in mind, when declaring their major students should decide on a subject they enjoy studying.  Doing so can help alleviate some of their anxiety and stress.

In his 2011 book Thinking, Fast and Slow Daniel Kahneman of Princeton University discussed his concept of the focusing illusion and defined it as meaning "nothing in life is as important as you think it is while you are thinking about it."

A psychologist and recipient of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics Kahneman applied the focusing illusion to education and wrote "Education is an important determinant of income — one of the most important — but it is less important than most people think.  When you focus on education you neglect the myriad of other factors that determine income."

When the focusing illusion is applied to the issue of a successful career, salary is an important determinant of success – but it is less important than most people think.  Other factors such as having a flexible work schedule, engaging in meaningful work and developing new professional skills also play a critical role in having a successful career.

As one of the world's leading authorities on development psychology, Carol Dweck coined the term growth mindset.  Dweck's research, as outlined in her 2006 publication Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, indicates that people have either "fixed" or "growth" mindsets.   Fixed mindset people believe that their intelligence, skills and behaviors are unable to be developed.

Those with a growth mindset believe otherwise and recognize that their intelligence, skills and behaviors can be improved upon through purposeful engagement and consistent application.  One's growth mindset, therefore, is a critical factor and driving force that "profoundly affects the way people lead their lives and can determine whether they become the person they want to be."

Popularized by Geoff Colvin in his 2008 book Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else, the term deliberate practice refers to the intense, sustained and focused application towards long-term goals.

Deliberate practice research indicates that long-term success requires a minimum of 10 years of engagement, coupled with grit, or the ability to persevere difficult situations, and a willingness to adapt to challenges as they arise.  Talent, IQ and experience, once thought to be the three pillars of success, play a less important role than previously thought when compared to one's drive, decisiveness and grit.

These three terms demonstrate very clearly that all students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to live extraordinary lives of purpose and intention.

By thinking about the focusing illusion, engaging in deliberate practice and maintaining a growth mindset, students should feel free to declare a major they will enjoy studying.  Doing so will go a long way to reducing unnecessary stress and anxiety.