How to change your major

How to Change your majors

Changing your major while you’re in college is a big decision; however, if you feel that it is the right choice, it is a choice you must make.

You might be thinking about changing your major because you are bored with your current choice. Or, it might be because you find your major too challenging. Perhaps another major has caught your eye, and interests you far more than your current one. Maybe, you have changed your career goals entirely.

Either way, changing your major can be a difficult process; and it’s one that needs to be made quickly.

Time is more important than ever in this process; most majors come with a variety of prerequisites and requirements. You’ll want to ensure that you have enough time left in your college experience to complete those requirements, assuming you wish to remain on the four-year graduation track.

Because of the necessity of time, don’t make this decision without deciding on your new major. It’s better to stick with your current one than being undecided for a year or more. If you plan accordingly, you can find time in your schedule to explore your interests while simultaneously taking your major requirements.

Once you’ve made your choice, the first thing you should do is speak with a guidance counselor, as well as a major advisor for both your old major and your new one. Ask them what they think would be in the best interest for you and your future.

Using the help of your counselors and advisors, be careful to fill out the necessary paperwork and plan out your future coursework. Most likely, you’ll be in a rush to fulfill the necessary requirements before graduation, and to do so, you have to be prepared.

An important thing to consider is alternate options. If neither of your chosen majors require total concentration, and if the two seem to go hand-in-hand, consider pursuing a double major. That way, you can enrich your resume and future job experience by opening up new avenues, and keep the experience from one major as a backup just in case the other doesn’t pan out.

At the same time, the process of changing your major can be highly subjective from college to college, and even from major to major. If a major is considerably more competitive than the others, there is a chance you won’t be accepted into the stream. For both reasons, it’s important to do your own research on your college’s process, and to stay in touch with your advisor.

Again, changing your major is not an easy, nor simple task. It requires hard work, preparation, and dedication, but it can be done if you stay determined.