Ancient Egypt Quiz
Many college students think about changing their major during their studies, and some actually do it, at least once or twice. However, prior to taking any drastic steps towards making any change of direction in your educational path and changing your major, you should consider the following tips.
It is essential to remember to be practical and to keep your emotions in check during this process, as changing your major is a significant decision that could have both a positive and negative impact. You must ensure that you have thoroughly thought about every single aspect that might have an impact on your future when taking this decision.
Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
Why Students Change their Major
One of the most common reasons that a student ponders changing his or her major is that it was hastily chosen in the first place. Also, he/she may have been swayed towards a specific program for the wrong reasons (i.e. following in the footsteps of a family member, or trying to stick close to a friend). It is crucial to make sure that the major you chose represents what interests you long-term and for which you can see a viable career. If you are majoring in an area that other people have chosen for you, it could lead to you being uninterested in and unfocused on the material you are learning, which will undoubtedly lead to feeling resentful, struggling with some of the classes, and possibly even dropping out of the program altogether. However, if you have chosen the program for the right reasons, and you have made an informed decision, you will, therefore, be engaged in the topic, you will take your studies seriously, prepare thoroughly for exams, and be eager to complete assignments. This will undoubtedly result in a greater chance of success in not only completing your studies, but in obtaining a career in your field.
Another reason that a student may be thinking of a change in their major is that their classes simply do not interest them. There is usually an area or two of a program that lacks intrigue, however this should not be a determining factor when deciding whether or not to make a change in your major. You should only become concerned if every course in your program does not interest you at all. You must try to keep your eyes on the prize, which is a career in your area of your choice.
When is the Best Time to Change your Major?
Time is of the essence when deciding whether or not to change your major part-way through your current studies. If you are still a freshman, you probably have more flexibility and would likely be able to use your completed classes as elective credits in your new major. However, if you are already a sophomore or junior, changing your major could be a little trickier, unless you are comfortable with starting from scratch. If you have just started college and you are still in the first few credits, making a change in your major shouldn’t be that complicated. As there are schools with heavy requirements in general education, all those credits might not get lost at all, and you won’t have to extend too long the time you scheduled for education. However, if you have already completed a great deal of your current program, you might have much more to gain just by sticking with it and finishing, and starting a new program afterwards. So, basically, the earlier you decide, the better!
Every major has its challenges, and its not a good idea to chose a major because it is ‘easy’. All majors have difficult areas that need studying, so do expect some challenges regardless of which major you decide upon. Be sure to research potential career opportunities in the field of work that interests you to understand areas such as earning potential, the demand for professionals, and how competitive the field is. Also, when considering such a change, you should always keep in mind the long-term flexibility of your career; i.e. will your field allow you to branch off into other areas if you want?
Don’t forget, more time spent in college will mean more money spent, and less time for you to work and earn income. Therefore, it is a good idea to prepare a new budget and check about getting additional financial aid, if needed, prior to making a final decision.
Once you have mulled over the above-noted tips, you should be ready to consult with your college advisor. Before meeting your advisor, try to reflect on what you exactly want and what will work best for you. Here are some questions you should probably reflect on before meeting your advisor:
- How will this potential change impact any award package I am due to receive when I finish my current major’s program?
- Will my scholarship be affected by a switch in my major?
- What is the cost of taking up this new program major?
- Will I have a new graduation date?
Good luck!
“When I was in college, I wanted to be involved in things that would change the world”
– Elon Musk
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About the author
Amanda Drajnic is an education specialist with a passion for writing on a wide variety of educational topics. Amanda is a regular contributor to MindCoral's blog and is always eager to share new ideas and concepts online.
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