3 Things to Know About Changing Majors in College

Did you know that you are not necessarily tied to it forever once you declare a major? Technically, you can change your major at any time. However, as you can imagine, it isn’t
always that simple. For some, changing your major might not have much of an impact at all on your college experience. For others, changing majors in college may come with drastic changes to all aspects of college life.

This article will discuss the many aspects of majors in college, including how to choose a college major and how to change majors in college. Changing majors in college can be an involved process, but there are resources to help.

How to Choose a College Major

If you are undeclared or realize that you need a change, you must select a major. Let’s take a look at how to choose a college major. Your college major is not necessarily a career choice. There are many career opportunities that follow each area of study. Consider what you enjoy studying and what you might enjoy doing for work.
They say, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” While we want to be realistic in realizing that anything worth having takes work, the truth is - if you enjoy it, you will be happy to do the work. Ask yourself if you can handle the course load and the work in the field. Forget about finding a job and ask yourself what you want to do for the rest of your life. Even if you think it is unrealistic, there is probably a major that covers it.
Talk with a college consultant or your academic advisor about the field you are considering or the job you want to get. They can help you find the right major to get you there.

Reasons to Change Majors in College

Changing your major is not a decision to be made lightly. In fact, because of the impact, it can have on your college experience (and your wallet), colleges don’t require you to declare a major right away. However, that doesn’t mean that changing a major is not sometimes necessary. There are many reasons that you might consider changing your major. The critical thing to consider is if these reasons are temporary or long-term.

If you are nearing the end of your college experience, changing your major can impact the entire college plan. For example, if you are a criminal justice major in your junior year and you decide to change your major to a social work major, you might lose a lot of the work you put in. This might include forfeiting credits that you have already earned, adding semesters of courses that impact your graduation date, and adding tuition costs. Not to mention, you will be giving up your chances to obtain a career in your original field. If you are only a few semesters away from obtaining your degree, it might be more beneficial to finish the first degree and then start working on another. That way, you keep your options open, and you don’t lose years of hard work. Take some time to reflect on the reasons you are considering changing your major to determine if it is really worth the hassle.

Ask yourself the following questions before making a final decision:
● Am I overwhelmed?
No, we do not mean by one class. We are talking about the entire experience here. Ask yourself if the stress you are feeling is just because of one class or temporary external factors. If yes, you may want to push through. You can always talk with your teachers or academic advisors to develop a plan to make adjustments. However, if you have noticed that the work has been too much for you to handle and is only getting worse, maybe working in that field is not for you.

● Am I confident about my career options, or am I uncertain?
There are many reasons that you may find yourself dreading looking for a job in your chosen field. This might be because of economic changes such as the job market, or it might be that you realize you hate it after being immersed in the field. Or perhaps, you found something you have a passion for that you didn’t know about before. Whatever the reason, ask yourself if you can see yourself working in your chosen field for the foreseeable future.

● Do I have an alternative option?
If you are sure you do not want to be tied to your current major anymore, it is still important to declare a new major, especially if you are a junior or senior. Take time to evaluate what your career goals are and where your passions lie.

Remember, your major does not commit you to a career field forever. There is always the option to go back to school later or even explore alternative job opportunities in adjacent fields. For example, suppose you are studying criminal justice but realize that you actually really love writing. In that case, you could still apply for a job as a transcriptionist with the court or technical writing for a law firm.

How to Change Majors in College

If you are committed to changing your major and have chosen a new one, you are probably at the point of wondering how to change majors in college. Start by talking to your academic advisor as soon as you decide or even as soon as you consider it. They will be able to walk you through the entire process. Make sure you understand what your academic requirements are. Finally, submit all the required documents. Each college is different, but your advisor will help you. Take your time and do it correctly the first time.

The bottom line is, if you are considering changing majors in college, take your time to consider all your options and contact your academic advisor or college consultant to discuss your options.

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