📖 Overview
Major Decisions is a student-focused guide that outlines how to take control of the college education experience. Written by Henry J. Eyring, president of Brigham Young University-Idaho, the book presents a framework for maximizing the value and effectiveness of higher education.
The core of the book consists of seven fundamental rules for students to follow in becoming the "general contractor" of their education. These rules cover essential aspects like maintaining career focus, selecting majors strategically, finding strong instructors, and developing key professional skills.
Through concrete examples and practical advice, Eyring demonstrates methods for customizing degree programs and connecting academic choices to future career paths. The book includes specific guidance on course selection, degree planning, and skill development.
The text speaks to broader themes about personal accountability and intentional decision-making in education, positioning students as active architects of their own learning rather than passive participants in a preset system.
👀 Reviews
The book appears to have limited reader reviews available online. On Goodreads, it has only 4 ratings with an average of 3.75 stars but no written reviews.
Readers appreciate:
- Practical advice for choosing college majors and career paths
- Personal stories and examples from the author's experience
- The focus on aligning education with personal values and interests
- Discussion of both secular and spiritual factors in decision-making
Readers note concerns about:
- Heavy focus on BYU and Mormon perspectives
- Limited applicability for non-religious students
- Some repetitive content
Available ratings:
Goodreads: 3.75/5 (4 ratings)
Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating
Deseret Book: 5/5 (1 rating)
Due to the book's niche focus on LDS students and limited circulation, comprehensive reader feedback is scarce online. Most discussions appear in Mormon education forums and blogs rather than mainstream review sites.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🎓 Henry J. Eyring currently serves as the President of Brigham Young University-Idaho, following in his father's footsteps in educational leadership
📚 The "seven fundamental rules" framework in the book draws from the author's unique perspective as both an academic administrator and former business strategy consultant
🏛️ The book's "general contractor" metaphor was inspired by the increasing need for students to actively manage their education, similar to overseeing a construction project
💼 Eyring's insights are informed by his experience at Monitor Company (now Monitor Deloitte), where he specialized in business strategy and organizational change
📈 The methodology presented in the book was developed and refined through direct interaction with thousands of students at BYU-Idaho, where the principles were tested in real academic settings