Playing Mahjong vs Choosing a University Major: What Do They Have in Common?
Choosing a university major can feel like sitting at a table with many possible moves. Some students already feel certain about Business. Others are weighing Engineering, Creative Arts, Data Science, or Health Sciences. Parents, understandably, want that choice to lead somewhere meaningful.
A Mahjong analogy can help. A thoughtful decision does not come from grabbing the first tile that looks appealing. You look at what you already hold, understand the aim of the game, and build a strategy with care.
1. Know the “tiles” you already have
When choosing a major, your tiles are your interests, academic strengths, learning habits, activities, and the questions that keep you curious. A student who loves creating visuals does not automatically need to study design, but that curiosity could open exploration into design, communication, architecture, or digital media.
Start with a few simple questions:
- Which subjects make you want to keep learning?
- Which activities feel challenging but still energising?
- What kinds of problems would you like to help solve?
- What learning environment helps you do your best work?
Do not stop at “I like this”. Look for evidence: school projects, personal work, competitions, community activities, or a short work-experience opportunity.
2. Do not chase one popular “tile” too quickly
At a Mahjong table, taking a tile only because it looks attractive can disrupt the hand you are building. The same can happen with a popular major. Popularity can be a reason to investigate, but it should not be the only reason to choose.
Encourage students to explore a programme’s subjects, teaching style, projects, and possible roles after graduation. For parents, the most useful question is often not “is this major safe?” but “which parts of this major suit the way you think and work?”
3. Build a strategy, not just a wish list
A good player does not look only at the current tile; they prepare the next move. Students can build a three-layer shortlist:
1. **First choices:** the programmes and universities that best match the goal.
2. **Realistic choices:** strong alternatives with entry requirements that remain achievable.
3. **Exploration choices:** related fields that may be less familiar but worth investigating.
For each option, check admission requirements, language ability, costs, location, teaching style, and university support. If overseas study is the plan, add a document and application timeline to the strategy.
4. Adjusting is not the same as losing
Sometimes the next tile does not arrive as planned. Exam results, application outcomes, or changing interests may mean that a strategy needs adjusting. That is not failure; it is part of making a more informed decision.
A student who first targets one major may find a pathway, foundation programme, minor, or related discipline that fits better. The important part is to adapt after researching, not in a moment of panic.
5. Make the final choice deliberately
Mahjong teaches players to notice patterns before making a move. Choosing a major works in much the same way: listen to the student’s goals, include the family’s practical considerations, and match them with programme information and a longer-term plan.
No major automatically guarantees one particular career. But a choice built on self-understanding, enough exploration, and a structured application strategy creates a much stronger starting point.
RIM Education can help students and parents map interests, build a programme and destination shortlist, and understand the preparation needed for overseas study applications.