Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by liberal arts students in choosing their majors and the increasing anxiety surrounding their career prospects due to a shrinking number of available options and rising admission scores for humanities programs [4][10][11]. Group 1: Current Educational Landscape - The new college entrance examination reform in China has led to a reduction in the number of majors available to liberal arts students compared to their science counterparts, with coverage rates for physics-related combinations exceeding 95%, while history-related combinations fall below 50% [4][10]. - Recent trends show a wave of universities eliminating liberal arts programs, with Fudan University reducing its liberal arts enrollment ratio from 30%-40% to 20%, and Sichuan University discontinuing 31 liberal arts majors in 2024 [9][10]. - The rising admission scores for history majors in Hunan province have increased significantly over three years, with the undergraduate line rising from 428 to 446, a total increase of 18 points [10][11]. Group 2: Information Overload and Decision-Making - The importance of information filtering before filling out college applications is likened to a "second college entrance examination," as students seek to find suitable majors amidst limited options [5][12]. - Students are increasingly relying on online forums and social media for advice on major selection, leading to confusion due to mixed opinions and subjective experiences shared by others [12][14]. - Parents often seek authoritative guidance, but may fall into anxiety traps set by high-cost consulting services, leading to conflicts with their children's aspirations [18][19]. Group 3: Generational Conflicts - There is a notable generational divide in career expectations, with parents favoring stable professions like finance or public service, while students express a desire for more creative and fulfilling paths [19][21]. - Students like Shen Jia face pressure to choose majors that align with their parents' experiences, despite their own interests lying elsewhere, such as in law or social sciences [20][21]. - The article highlights the struggle of students to balance personal interests with parental expectations, leading to significant emotional stress during the decision-making process [19][20]. Group 4: Aspirations and Future Outlook - Despite the challenges, students maintain their aspirations for meaningful careers in liberal arts, with a focus on societal contributions and personal fulfillment [22][25]. - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the evolving job market and the value of liberal arts education in addressing societal needs [24][25]. - Students are encouraged to actively seek information and engage in deeper analysis of their options rather than succumbing to external pressures and fears [14][24].