Is it worth choosing side studies?

Dear incoming freshman,

I will briefly tell you my story: a few years ago I entered Vytautas the Great University, I chose career and professional counseling studies, but I also dreamed of public communication - I was always interested in media and public relations. As my studies progressed, I found out that Vytautas the Great University gives VMU students the opportunity to choose another parallel study program without paying for it. Great opportunity, isn't it? I took advantage of this opportunity and chose public communication studies. Why? Because I always try to get everything I can out of life, and this opportunity was a great way to test myself if I could study two majors at the same time. Also, thinking about my future, I saw the possibility that these side studies and the knowledge gained during them will be useful in my future work as a career consultant. Now I can safely say that this adventure was the best decision I ever made. After all, by choosing parallel studies, you will gain more knowledge and broaden your horizons, you will gain a broader education, you will expand your employment opportunities, you will find new friends, and after completing the program you will receive a certificate. I also want to emphasize that when you choose to study a master's degree in the field of parallel studies, you will not need to have compensatory subjects. So, having decided that you really want it, you must first choose a program that you can find www.vdu.lt in the section Studies > Concurrent studies. You can choose not only from the programs offered by your faculty, but also from others. Now that you have chosen what you would like to study, you must additionally submit an application to the dean of your faculty before the start of registration for study subjects. You can choose side studies from the first semester of the first year. My advice to you, if you do decide to choose them, think carefully about whether you will be able to combine the two study programs with your personal life and plan the time between lectures so that you can go from one faculty to another and whether you will be able to prepare for all the payments. I can say from my experience that it was difficult at the beginning: more lectures and settlements, constant rush, but later, when I got used to everything, I started to enjoy my studies, I learned to plan my time, and I applied the knowledge I had already acquired in practice. Studying two majors is not easy, but it is definitely worth it if the university offers such an opportunity, so why not take advantage of it - more knowledge has never hurt anyone. However, if you feel that parallel studies are not for you, you can stop or stop them, but if you stop and think of taking other ones, you will have to pay for them. And if you have any questions, you can always contact your dean's office or the department of associate studies, the people working there will always help you and answer all your questions. Good luck!

Gabriele Stasiunaite