What are the top 3 hardest college majors for average students?

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The discussion revolves around the perceived difficulty of various college majors, particularly focusing on Pure Math, Philosophy, and Physics. Participants debate the challenges of these fields, with some arguing that Philosophy is easier due to its open-ended nature, while others contend that it is complex and requires rigorous logical reasoning. Engineering is frequently mentioned as a more challenging discipline compared to the others, as it applies mathematical concepts to real-world problems, which some argue is more demanding than theoretical studies in Physics or Math. The conversation highlights that perceptions of difficulty are subjective and vary based on individual strengths and interests. Participants also note that workload and the ability to balance social life can be indicators of a major's difficulty, with some suggesting that the hardest majors are those that leave students with little time for leisure. The debate ultimately underscores the complexity of comparing academic disciplines and the personal nature of educational challenges.
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1. Pure Math
2. Philosophy
3. Physics

This list I believe is valid for someone that is average basically in math, science and critical thinking and doesn't particularly excel in anything as of starting the major. What do you think?
 
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xdrgnh said:
2. Philosophy

No. Maybe if you're counting from the bottom.
 


You trying to say Philosophy is easy?
 


xdrgnh said:
2. Philosophy

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Pre-meds have a tough life too you know. I also would add English majors because they are expected to write out quality essays (pages long) in a week and read tons of boring books that no one cares in the real world.
 


I'm not trying to say that they don't... English could be up there but not in the top 3. What makes Philosophy very hard is that it's very open ended.
 


How is Engineering not on this list?!
 


Because it's less abstract then those 3.
 


xdrgnh said:
Because it's less abstract then those 3.

What?? What is your major? I am curious
 


Physics, I want to go into Theoretical physics. Engineering is a applied subject.
 
  • #10


xdrgnh said:
I'm not trying to say that they don't... English could be up there but not in the top 3. What makes Philosophy very hard is that it's very open ended.

Actually that's what makes it very easy.
 
  • #11


Pengwuino said:
Actually that's what makes it very easy.

Go tell a Philosophy major that.
 
  • #12


Listing these is rather pointless. It's going to be different for every individual. People in field A probably think that field A is the most difficult, lacking experience in field B. People in field B, likely feel that field B is the most difficult. I would suspect that the "most difficult major" for anyone person would be in whatever subject they like the least.

I personally think something like American History would be the worst.
 
  • #13


I said in my description that the person is average in all academic area so he has no bias.
 
  • #14


xdrgnh said:
I said in my description that the person is average in all academic area so he has no bias.

Oh sorry.

In that case Pure Math.
 
  • #15


Ivan92 said:
How is Engineering not on this list?!
you are joking?
 
  • #16


xdrgnh said:
Go tell a Philosophy major that.

I've talked to philosophy majors. I'm surprised a lot of them know how to make their own breakfast.
 
  • #17


I see you have a masters in Physics. Try to answer the question that Physics answers without math. That's what Philosophy majors do in a certain sense.
 
  • #18


They answer questions without using English?
 
  • #19


xdrgnh said:
I see you have a masters in Physics. Try to answer the question that Physics answers without math. That's what Philosophy majors do in a certain sense.

Wow. Then I wonder how philosophers even get out of bed, let alone make breakfast.

It's very easy to describe physics without math. "If I drop a ball, it will fall".
 
  • #20


Pengwuino said:
Wow. Then I wonder how philosophers even get out of bed, let alone make breakfast.

It's very easy to describe physics without math. "If I drop a ball, it will fall".
What's so special about you?
 
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  • #21


Pengwuino said:
I've talked to philosophy majors. I'm surprised a lot of them know how to make their own breakfast.

Oh ohhhh ohh this was so directed to me lol
 
  • #22


I could've sworn Penguin is working on his masters atm.
 
  • #23


Anyways, you can't beat mathematics if you want to start measuring things.
 
  • #24


xdrgnh said:
I see you have a masters in Physics. Try to answer the question that Physics answers without math. That's what Philosophy majors do in a certain sense.

Philosophers use logic. Isn't that a type of math?
 
  • #25


This thread is becoming a massive p!ssing contest. This type of question has never produced a meaningful discussion in my experience.
 
  • #26


Here comes the mathematician... I mean, he's just so above us all.

lol
 
  • #27


Don't let the mathematician try to butt in! He probably couldn't solve low energy compton scattering! *chuckles*
 
  • #28
Yes, I am saying Philosophy is easy. I know many philosophy majors and they all admit that it's very easy. They get straight A's with about 80% attendance.
 
  • #29


Willowz said:
Here comes the mathematician... I mean, he's just so above us all.

lol

Pengwuino said:
Don't let the mathematician try to butt in! He probably couldn't solve low energy compton scattering! *chuckles*

I am far from being a mathematician. The honors linear algebra course I'm currently taking is the most advanced course I've experienced. In other words, I'm still a complete newb.
 
  • #30
On what criteria are you basing "hardest"?

As far as work load goes, engineering, science, and math majors study far more then other majors (including philosophy). In fact, at my school it seems the standards of all the non engineering, science, and math are pathetically low. My 1 credit hour physics lab is probably ~3 times more work then my 4 credit hour macroeconomics class.

Additionally I find it easier to get high grades in my non technical courses (like humanities electives).

Although I still think the question is pointless. It is difficult to be "great" in any field.
 
  • #31
Interestingly, Oxford have a variant of their degrees in Physics, Maths and Computer Science which has a Philosophy option. (note: in the UK, one must choose their major while applying)
 
  • #32
You're all wrong. It goes like this;

1. Communications
2. Art
3. Guitar
 
  • #33
LOLOLOL, philosophy the second hardest major? You serious :biggrin:

In my opinion, these are the hardest majors:

1) physics
2) engineering
3) medicine
 
  • #34


Willowz said:
Anyways, you can't beat mathematics if you want to start measuring things.

I dunno, I'm studying mathematics and I'd say I've learned you CAN'T measure things. That's why I bury my head in number theory. Nothing to strain my sense of reality there. Just shuffle numbers and variables around and see what pops up. ;)
 
  • #35
Yeah, you can't beat math in measurements. Maybe because it's the 'medium' in which the measurements can be carried out.

Anything that needs a lot of chemistry in it is a tough major.
 
  • #36


Dembadon said:
This thread is becoming a massive p!ssing contest. This type of question has never produced a meaningful discussion in my experience.

Comparing majors is nonsense. Becoming a field expert and leaving solid contributions whether in English, Philosophy, Math, Music or Communications will likely take same amount of effort.
 
  • #37
micromass said:
LOLOLOL, philosophy the second hardest major? You serious :biggrin:

In my opinion, these are the hardest majors:

1) physics
2) engineering
3) medicine

I don't know micro, rick rolling is pretty high up there.
 
  • #38
Well we can't quantify anything or meaningfully define what "hard" means in this context so comparisons are out. Anyway, it's the time and effort that matter and many students from all fields certainly do more than the bare minimum. So in my opinion, education is more or less as difficult as the student chooses it to be. It's almost like comparing different universities; they may be different in various ways, but in the end its possible to get a great education anywhere, including from the library for free so long as the individual gives the required effort.
 
  • #39
Topher925 said:
You're all wrong. It goes like this;

1. Communications
2. Art
3. Guitar

Don't forget a degree in "elective studies", which is right about philosophy.
 
  • #40
For me the most difficult tasks were the ones I had little interest in, but this is more often one particular aspect of a class rather than an entire field of study. For example while I love reading literature, I really don't enjoy writing about literature and quickly find it difficult to remain focused. On the other hand dedicating long hours to math and science is quite easy for me. So I wouldn't necessarily say one subject is easier than another, but I certainly find it easier to pursue those that I find enjoyable.
 
  • #41
Guitar is a major...?
 
  • #42
flyingpig said:
Guitar is a major...?

Yes, at my university it is. You can also get a degree in trumpet and home making.
 
  • #43
Topher925 said:
Yes, at my university it is. You can also get a degree in trumpet and home making.

Home-making? WHAT? How do you even get tested? I think I would actually take a Home-making course LOL
 
  • #44
The hardest majors are where those things are applied, such as engineering.
 
  • #45
AVReidy said:
The hardest majors are where those things are applied, such as engineering.

Hardly true. While it does differ from person to person, it is easy to argue that theoretical physics is much more challenging than engineering.
 
  • #46
WannabeNewton said:
Hardly true. While it does differ from person to person, it is easy to argue that theoretical physics is much more challenging than engineering.

So I suppose you have experience with engineering studies?? Engineering is way harder than theoretical physics.
 
  • #47
micromass said:
So I suppose you have experience with engineering studies?? Engineering is way harder than theoretical physics.

How so?
 
  • #48
WannabeNewton said:
How so?

Because theoretical physics is just mathematics. And mathematics is very easy! Sure, it requires some thought, but I wouldn't call mathematics difficult at all.

Engineering and applied physics is way more difficult: it requires you to have skill in mathematics (often great skill) and it requires you to apply this skill to the real world. This applying is the most difficult part of the job.
 
  • #49
micromass said:
So I suppose you have experience with engineering studies?? Engineering is way harder than theoretical physics.

GTFO micro.

Engineers just have to work in 3-dimensions. We have to work in 11-dimensions.

And did you get my PM.
 
  • #50
Pengwuino said:
GTFO micro.

Engineers just have to work in 3-dimensions. We have to work in 11-dimensions.

And mathematicians work in infinite-dimensional spaces! Therefore: math wins :biggrin:

And did you get my PM.

Yes, I'm as frustrated as you with that thread
 

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