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At what point in your college experience is it best to confirm your major?
I like many other high schoolers am not 100% confident of the career I want to pursue yet, but I also do not want to end up spending any extreme time in college than I must. I am afraid that if I do not go in with a set plan, I will not be able to finish in four years.
#undecided #whentodecide #finishintime
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Gloria’s Answer
Hi Alanna,
It is probably best to lock your major by the end of your sophomore year. That is about the time that you have completed your general credits and need to be focusing on your major specific work. Plus that is a good amount of time for you to see how college life works and see what areas interest you. When you are doing your core credit work, I would recommend that you be very diverse in the classes that you choose. If you have to take science, take something like Astronomy to see if you like Math and Chemistry which are big elements of that subject. If you have to take art, taking something like acting. I know that I didn't want to be actor but the class certainly helped me to be more comfortable in front of an audience and learn how to be silly. I ended up becoming an instructor and that acting class really helped me out. You can really expand your horizons in college through taking a variety of classes and meeting a lot of people in different majors. The Student Unions on most campuses can also put you together with groups that may give you more insights into various majors.
Gloria
It is probably best to lock your major by the end of your sophomore year. That is about the time that you have completed your general credits and need to be focusing on your major specific work. Plus that is a good amount of time for you to see how college life works and see what areas interest you. When you are doing your core credit work, I would recommend that you be very diverse in the classes that you choose. If you have to take science, take something like Astronomy to see if you like Math and Chemistry which are big elements of that subject. If you have to take art, taking something like acting. I know that I didn't want to be actor but the class certainly helped me to be more comfortable in front of an audience and learn how to be silly. I ended up becoming an instructor and that acting class really helped me out. You can really expand your horizons in college through taking a variety of classes and meeting a lot of people in different majors. The Student Unions on most campuses can also put you together with groups that may give you more insights into various majors.
Gloria
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Alanna While there are no set rules it is advisable to know upfront what you want to do before you start studying. If you are not sure you could take a Gap Year and do part time income generating work. Not finishing is a different issue. Registering to study and paying for it when you are not sure what you want to do is a problem. You will be wasting time and money. Do some research, talk to an appropriate person or do shadow job training at a company to decide.
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Pro’s Answer
Try an Interdisciplinary, Liberal Studies, or General Studies major, that will let you combine multiple interests. Or an Individually Designed major that you can even name yourself.
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Stuart’s Answer
Like you said, you are not alone in not knowing what you want to major in. Do not let that bother you. When you enter college, take different gen ed classes, which you will need anyway. Also talk to an advisor and friends. Hopefully that will lead you down a path and you are still taking classes that are needed. By the end of sophomore year, most schools require you to declare a major. You can always change your major if you feel you made a mistake, but that may require you to stay a little longer in school.