Top 10 Most Stressful College Majors Based on Studying Time

Most Stressful College Majors

Selecting a major isn't always easy for first-year college students. Reason being, after you graduate, your life after college will be heavily influenced by your field of study. With the correct degree, you can find satisfying work that pays enough to live on. Conversely, if the related work is dull, time-consuming, or poorly paid, choosing the wrong major might cause years of misery.

You may alleviate some of your anxiety about choosing a major by familiarizing yourself with the most important factors to consider, learning which undergraduate majors are the most and least challenging, and remembering that you haven't made a final decision. This comprehensive guide will help you choose a major that is a good fit for your needs, interests, and future goals by covering all the bases.

Picking the most difficult major in college is challenging because it is a very subjective and biased decision that depends on the individual's interests and desired career trajectory.

Although some students may find it challenging, others have done very well by making good use of the course materials. However, for other people, it was more challenging to complete certain courses or declare a major.

♦ Check More: What Are The Hardest College Majors to Challenge Yourself - Top 10+

Top 10 Most Stressful College Majors

Higher education frequently involves stress, but understanding the difficulties that certain majors entail may help us get through the difficulties we encounter. Although the list includes the college majors we found to be the most demanding and challenging, this may not be the case for you. Even if the college major they want to pursue is on this list of stressful majors, it doesn't inspire anyone to give up on their dreams.

1. Fine Arts

Average Weekly Study Hours: 16.5

Fine arts may not be stressful for everyone, but learning all the theoretical information about the development of art throughout time while also engaging in practical work in the studio can be very taxing on students. This is especially true given the oversaturated job market and the difficulty of finding a job that will allow students to pay back their student loans and provide a worthwhile return on investment.

Unfortunately, other art majors suffer the same fate, with fine arts being just one example. Many students experience a variety of demanding and stressful tasks throughout their academic careers, only to face even greater challenges in the future in finding employment.

Potential Careers Paths and Median Salaries for Fine Arts Graduates:

Professional Artist: $49k

Art Director: $97k

Graphic Designer: $53k

Interior Designer: $60k

Art Professor (requires further education): $85k

2. Nursing

Average studying time per week: 14-17h

A great major with a wide range of potential career paths is nursing. In addition, many successful students are assured employment after graduation. Additionally, the students can continue their education to earn a Master's degree and expand their career options.

For nurses with a graduate degree, there are various career paths. The process of studying is by no means simple. It's demanding because it combines a lot of theoretical coursework with clinical rotations at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

The practical work is frequently quite unpleasant, and how well you perform overall at those brief internships determines your grade moving forward. It's important to keep in mind that some of the practical work is not everyone's cup of tea and may deter them from continuing their studies due to pressure and stress from their jobs.

Because of that, this degree might not be suitable for everyone.

Potential Career Paths and Median Salaries for Nursing Graduates:

Registered Nurse: $75k

Midwife: $111k

Nurse Anesthetists: $184k

11 Best U.S Hospitals With The Most Friendly Nurses

3. Theoretical & Experimental Physics

Average studying time per week: 15-17h

It is hard and stressful to get a physics degree on its own. Students are expected to have a general understanding of many scientific ideas before they start studying. The most important thing is that they must be very good at math.

Many students who want to understand the curriculum may find it hard to get the same amount of math preparation because they come from different educational and living situations.

It's even more stressful to get this degree because your future job as a researcher will depend on your GPA, how well you did overall as a student, and how many peer-reviewed research papers you publish in your field.

Because of this, majoring in theoretical and experimental physics can be fun, hard, and stressful all at the same time.

4. Philosophy

Average studying time per week: 11-15h

Although philosophy majors are frequently thought of as being straightforward, this is far from the truth. Students majoring in this field are expected to read, research, and analyze a lot. They also require crucial qualities and abilities like logic and an acute sense of detail.

More importantly, in order to pursue a career in politics or law or another field, you typically need to complete additional education like a Master's and Ph.D. in order to get a high-paying job with a philosophy degree.

5. Architecture

Average studying time per week: 18-22h

Average GPA: 3.3

Average Salary: $67,000

Beautiful as it is, architecture is a major that is also very demanding and stressful. You'll see from the list above that compared to the other majors, architecture requires more weekly study time. Combining intricate, comprehensive, and wide-ranging theoretical knowledge with diligent practical work is the essence of architecture.

Not only that, but earning an architecture degree is quite expensive, and the market is prone to saturation.

Temporary work is simple to find because there are so many different architecture directions and freelance opportunities. Finding a long-term job, however, is much more challenging, which can be stressful for many recent graduates in architecture.

Potential Career Paths and Median Salaries for Architecture Graduates:

Building Architect: $82k

Landscape Architect: $71k

Architectural Drafter: $58k

6. Molecular Biology

Average studying time per week: 17-18h

The degree requirements for molecular biology are similar to those for physics. Not only that, but you might not be able to find a respectable job with a good salary with just a bachelor's degree. Instead, you'll probably need to complete a number of specializations and earn a doctoral degree.

Unsurprisingly, students spend more than 17 hours a week studying, which can be stressful for those who are not used to spending a lot of time in the lab.

Additionally, the average GPA is low in comparison to some other majors, but the amount of work required is quite substantial.

Overall, if you don't have the requisite specialization degree, your chances of landing a respectable job soon after graduation are slim. Students who spent a lot of time studying and working at internships to pass certain classes may find that to be very stressful.

7. Electrical Engineering

Average studying time per week: 18-20h

Electrical engineering is one of the most popular fields of engineering, and every year there are a lot of people who want to get into universities and colleges. But not many of those students stay in their majors; a lot of them drop out before the end of their first year.

The return on investment is very high, but students have to stick with it through good and bad times while they study and learn a lot of different skills that will help them get jobs in the future. Additionally, it requires a lot of study each week because there are so many tests, labs, and midterms.

When students have long lab sessions, it can be hard for them to balance the theoretical and practical work. Because of this, electrical engineering is thought to be one of the most stressful majors.

8. Chemical Engineering

Average studying time per week: 20-24h

Chemical engineering is one of the majors that will give graduates the most job opportunities. However, it takes a lot of hard work, persistence, and discipline, just like any other STEM subject. Students also need to learn how to balance the theoretical lessons with the hands-on work in the lab.

It's no secret that if you can find the right job, a degree in chemical engineering can pay off very well.

Bachelor's degree holders often need to get additional specializations, like a Master's or Doctoral degree, to improve their chances of getting certain jobs or to go into academia and do great research.

9. Medicine & Healthcare

Average studying time per week: 20-25h

Both "medicine" and "healthcare majors" are broad terms, but since nursing was already talked about, these are the classes that will help you become a general practitioner or get a specialty.

They are both stressful in different ways. It can take at least 6 years to get a degree as a pediatrician or general practitioner, not counting the time it takes to specialize. For the doctoral studies, it might take an extra three to five years.

A lot of theoretical studies and thick, dense textbooks that need to be read all the way through take up a lot of space. Last but not least, there are many moral and ethical problems that arise when people trust doctors with their lives.

10. Law

Average studying time per week: 15-18h

Some people will argue that law schools are not particularly challenging, but in reality, years of study and intense specialization are required to become a lawyer or to pursue any other career in the legal field. Law graduates can become judges, lawyers, or other professionals by earning a variety of titles.

More importantly, law students need to be knowledgeable about international legal systems in addition to ancient laws like Roman law. Many people find this information to be stressful, and many give up on their studies before finishing their major.

How To Choose The Right Major?

Not choosing a major that interests them or matches their skills and abilities causes a lot of stress when studying for a degree. ACT, College Choice studied high school graduates' preferences.

The survey showed that 80% of students planned to major in college. However, 65% chose a major that didn't match their academic performance, professional skills, or interests.

Working with advisors, reviewing grades, and considering your major are crucial because your college experience will shape your career.

You may not care about some majors, which can cause stress.

Here are some tips for choosing a major:

Consider your hobbies, interests, and strengths. Asking parents, teachers, or advisors about majors is fine.

How much time do you want to study weekly? Do not choose the hardest topics on this list if you don't want to spend weekends and weekdays studying and catching up on missed classes.

What will you do next? Your major will affect your career, so choose wisely.

Does my major offer a good ROI? Some challenging and stressful majors have a high ROI. Some majors are easy to finish, but finding a job is difficult. Even if you don't want to get rich, choose a major that will prepare you for a career.

Top 40+ Most Prestigious Biology Scholarships in the U.S Today A biology degree may be expensive, but it's an investment in your future. Do you have any idea of the best biology fellowships in the ...

Top 10 Cheapest Majors in the USA Colleges Today Do you hope to secure your financial future by furthering your education but fear taking on too much debt? There are renowned courses available at ...

Top 15+ Most Prestigious Colleges for Police Majors in the US Maintaining law and order, apprehending thieves and criminals, and solving crimes on a local and high-quality level are all jobs that require graduates of police ...

Top 9 College Majors That Makes The Most Millionaires In The World KnowInsiders explores the top disciplines and college degrees that have produced the most millionaires and billionaires in the world. Will you become rich by choosing ...