Changing majors can seem like a scary thought for many students, especially because there is a set idea that once you’re 20 years old, you have to have your life together. The reality is that everyone moves at a different pace, and changing your major might be a great idea for you!
When I started my freshman year, I went in knowing that I wanted to be a doctor, but I was confused as to how I would get there. Most people at my university were majoring in biology, so I went along with the trend. I soon realized that that wasn’t going to work for me. After that realization, I switched my major to forensic science. I thought that I wanted to be a pathologist, but again, I would change my major when I transferred from Loyola to Roosevelt. I went from forensic science to nuclear medicine technology to histotechnology. Currently, I am a philosophy major. I could go through my own thought process as to why I switched from major to major, but that could go on forever. Instead, here are some tips that might help you in your own process.
- Don’t be afraid to talk to your advisor: They have talked to many students and can help you discover new opportunities.
- Have a support system: If you’re changing your major, it can be a big deal. Having people around you that can help guide you will help!
- Shadow professionals in fields that you’re considering: There are individuals who actually live through the job that you might want. Most of the time, this opens up your eyes to whether or not you really want to pursue that degree for that job. If you do not like what you see, then maybe change it up!
- Talk to upperclassmen about their experiences: You would be surprised at how much you could learn from someone who is a year or more older than you. Maybe they could learn something from you as well!
You might be wondering why someone would change their major so abruptly and often. The truth is, as you go through college, you discover new ideas and paths that might change your goals. That is what happened to me, and that is what happens to a large percentage of college students. If you’re thinking about changing your major, just know you are not alone!
By: Sienna Cao