“What’s your major?” might be the most commonly asked question when getting to know a college student. Not only does the college major determine most of their course requirements and map out a great deal of their college experiences, it also acts as something of an identifier for students.
While there is a plethora of information available on why students chose their majors and how to do it, students don’t often have all the information they need to make this choice. The students interviewed below explain what they did not know when making these choices, and how having that information would have helped them make more informed decisions.
Here are three questions they had, as well as answers that prospective college students may wish to consider.
[Learn about five ways to pick the right college major.]
1. Can I change majors? One of the reasons choosing a major can be so difficult is the level of commitment students feel they’re making, and that feeling is understandably heightened when students are under the impression that they cannot change their minds later.
Claire Chandler, a junior at University of Montana, said she found herself in that situation.
“Colleges offer many tools to help you figure out your major when you get there, so I would worry less about choosing an actual major and focus more on building a list of majors and jobs you would be interested in,” she said. “I don’t want to say that you have tons of time, but you have at least a couple of semesters to dabble.”
In terms of those supportive tools, Chandler specified that most colleges and universities have advisers available with whom students can discuss their options, which is what she ended up doing. Chandler finally declared a double major in journalism and information systems the summer after her freshman year.
Saint Louis University senior Chris Ruiz says that he didn’t know he could start college with an undeclared major.
“The list of all majors was given to us and I thought I had to choose one then and there,” he said. “It was overwhelming. I wish there was more direction.”
Ruiz said he overcame this issue by simply doing his own research and ultimately going with his “gut feeling.”
[Take five steps before changing your college major.]
2. What prerequisites will I need to take? This is definitely important information to look up before deciding on a major. If you are unsure of where to find it, your academic adviser or another representative from the admissions or counseling offices should be able to guide you.
Don’t assume these will be subjects you are comfortable with, as prerequisites can encompass great variety, regardless of the major with which they are connected.
Jane Metcalf, a University of Montana junior, said this was an issue that contributed to her eventual change in majors.
“I was turned away by the dynamic track education majors are required to take to graduate on time,” Metcalf said. “There is not room to take a fun elective or non-major-related class.”
She ended up switching her major to communication studies, a program which she noted had several elective requirements.
Chandler also stressed the importance of reviewing prerequisite courses. “If you are interested in the classes and could see yourself being successful in them, then go for it. If the class list leaves you uninspired, the major probably will, too.”
[How to use out-of-school experiences to help choose a college major.]
3. How can I learn more about the career options for my major? It is certainly understandable and expected that most students won’t know exactly what they want to do postgraduation when they’re only beginning college. Thus, committing to a major that is associated with a specific career path can be confusing and stressful, and many students don’t know how to determine if said career path is right for them.
“I don’t think any information talks about the cons or downside of any career,” says Metcalf. “That is unrealistic in my opinion because everything in life has cons and hardships, but it’s not talked about prior to experience.”
Doing a bit of networking with people in your prospective field can help combat this problem. Past classmates and family friends can be helpful resources, Chandler suggested. She also noted the benefits of personality tests offered by some college career centers, and how they can help you discover whether or not a certain career path is the right fit for you.
“I wish I had taken a personality test like those offered by the career services at my school now,” she said. “The test gave me interest areas that I would succeed in and what kind of majors would prepare me for those jobs.”
Ensure you get the above questions answered as you settle on a major. The information you learn could potentially make or break your decision, so try to weigh all the pros and cons carefully.
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3 Questions, Answers From Current Students on Choosing a College Major originally appeared on usnews.com
