Changing Your Major
Choosing a major can be one of the most significant decisions you’ll make in college. Some feelings of uncertainty may cross your mind as you reflect on your first semester classes and your major. These thoughts and feelings are extremely common, and it’s okay to feel conflicted toward the classes you took or your major as a whole. In fact, did you know that most college students change their major at least once? If you’re considering a change for yourself, here are some tips and questions to consider to ensure you are making the best decision:
Why am I making the change?
Consider why you feel like you might want to change your major. Have you lost interest in your current major, or are you discovering that it’s not really what you want to study and pursue for a career? Are you considering this change for more practical reasons? Take some time to explore why you’re thinking of switching majors to ensure you make the right decision. You might want to avoid making this change if you did not like one or two classes.
Could this affect my college costs and graduation year?
Deciding to change your major could impact your graduation year. However, this should not be much of a concern during your first year of college. Sometimes a new major might relate well to your current one, and some of your classes may be able to transfer over. If you happened to drastically change your major/career field after several semesters, it may delay your graduation time and increase your college expenses.
Am I Absolutely Sure it’s Time to Jump Ship?
If one of your class grades or the class content did not turn out to be what you expected, that does not necessarily mean you should bail just yet. Before you make any decision, meet with your Launchpad advisor as they are a valuable resource in helping you navigate these questions. They might be able to give you helpful advice or connections to others on campus who might be able to give you more information about what the rest of your program looks like or other possible career paths that might fit your interests. After speaking with your advisor, you might not feel quite as discouraged.
How Do I Choose Another Major?
Along with meeting with your advisor, you could conduct some additional research on your own, such as:
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- Using the Career Explorer on Tech's website can be a great tool to research careers you may be interested in and then find related majors/programs of study.
- Taking a personality assessment, such as the TypeFocus, offered by Tech's Center for Career Development, can be a great tool in finding the right fit.
- Researching courses within other majors in the Tennessee Tech Undergraduate Course Catalog to see if they pique your interest
- Exploring the possibility of taking a new class outside of your major next semester to see whether it interests you or not.
- Asking people you admire about their work and how they got there. They may have worthwhile insights and warnings.
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If you find that you have more than one interest for your major, you might be able to combine them into an interdisciplinary program.
Don’t Panic!
It’s okay to feel like you don’t have all the answers to your future plans right away. Some classes from this past semester may not have been what you were looking for, but there may be many other interesting ones as you progress in your college career. After careful research and conversations, you still might find that your major does not knock your socks off, and that’s okay! It’s important to communicate these thoughts with those who support you and understand that these feelings are common. There are lots of resources on campus for supporting you in whichever decision you make.
Overall, it’s okay to feel like you may or may not want to stick with you current major. If you do it thoughtfully, selecting a new field of study could be the best decision for you and lead to a more meaningful career aligned to who you are. On the other hand, next semester or next year might have the course that confirms your passions and reaffirms your decision. Making these choices and exploring your options can be fairly flexible during your first year, and there are lots of people to support you on campus as you explore your options and plan for your future.
