Advice for Students Considering Changing Majors

College is one of the greatest times of your life, but it can also be one of the hardest. You’re full of excitement about starting this new chapter, but simultaneously dreading classes and relentlessly studying for exams. And if you’re anything like me, you’re still trying to figure out what you even want to major in.

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Reconsider why you chose your declared major in the first place.

When I started college, I had a declared major. As the semester progressed and I started thinking about my choice more and more, I realized that the only reason I even picked that major was because someone in my family suggested it. I didn’t really have a concrete idea of what I wanted to major in, so when someone suggested pharmacy, I thought, why not? I went through two semesters taking my prerequisites before I came to the conclusion that pharmacy was not for me. Luckily, the classes I took were basic courses, so I did not waste any time or money. However, this is a predicament many college students find themselves in. If you’re considering changing majors, first determine why you chose your declared major in the first place – was it for YOU, or for someone else?

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Yes, it’s an intimidating decision, but one you can change.

Choosing a major, that will basically dictate the future of your career, is scary. I don’t even know what I want to eat for supper, never mind what I’m going to want to be doing ten years down the road. I know some people who have changed their major at least 8 times, and I always said that would never be me. But here I am, entering my sophomore year, wondering if going down that path isn’t such a stretch after all. I often find myself lying in bed at night, thinking about my life and why I don’t have it together yet. But I know I’m not the only one. Tons of college students are in the same boat that I’m in and that reassures me that I am not alone in all of this. What we have to remember is that even if we do decide to change our major 8 different times, the fact is; we can. We are still young and there is plenty of time to figure out what it it is we want to do with our lives.

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You’re not alone.

When I entered my freshman year of college I thought I was going to keep my major all the way until the end, however I did not. I go to a small local school near my hometown and thankfully many of my high school friends went along with me. After catching up with them, I’ve realized that the majority of them are in the same situation that I am in! Almost every single one of my friends has thought about changing their major or has already done so.

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And it’s totally normal.

At some point during our freshmen semester we realized that what we thought we would enjoy learning about turned out to be the complete opposite. But it’s okay. I’ve come to realize that it is completely and totally OKAY to be unsure. Sure, there will come a time when it is crucial for me to have a concrete major picked out, but for now, I will enjoy the ride and see where the road takes me.

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Take all the time you need.

The bottom line is that not everything will go as you planned. You will learn what you like and what you don’t like. You will hit bumps in the road and sometimes those bumps will make you crash and burn, but other times they will lead you to exactly where you are meant to be. My advice is to take all the time you need to figure out your major. One thing you don’t want is to get a degree in something you absolutely hate, and feel stuck there for the rest of your life.

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Explore all the choices your school has to offer, and if you feel like your school doesn’t have what you want, then maybe a change of scenery is what you need. Most of all, have fun and enjoy what college has to offer!