Many college students remember the feeling: after deciding on a shortlist of your favorite schools, you start working your way through an application to arrive at a potentially life-changing decision: selecting your major. At a time in your life where it seems like so much depends on the decisions you make as a senior in high school, it’s important to know that it is totally okay to be unsure of what you want to study. While selecting a major seems like a daunting process and decision, there are a number of steps you can take, both before and after you arrive at college, to find a major that fits your needs.
Find Something You’re Passionate About
If you already know that there’s a particular subject you love, deciding on a major can be an easy process. Think back to the classes you looked forward to going to in high school, or a hobby you picked up that you want to turn into a full-time career. Whatever it is that you love doing, you probably can find a major that is compatible. At Nazareth, there are 60 different majors to choose from, so there is bound to be something that’s right for you.
Enter Undeclared
One of the best options for someone who isn’t sure what they want to study is to come in undeclared. There is sometimes a misconception that entering a college as undeclared will set students back, or prevent them from graduating on time, however, coming in undecided allows you to take classes in a number of disciplines, many of which are already required for most majors under the Core Curriculum. Almost a third of all students at Nazareth College entered without a declared major, and Nazareth helps them find one along the way with Academic Advisement classes through their Guided Exploration of Majors program, which allows undecided students to explore all available majors to find one that fits their needs. While coming in undeclared may sound overwhelming, it could end up helping you find a major you love.
Sit in on Classes
When I was deciding on a college, I always made sure to sit in on classes if I was given the opportunity to do so. if you’re still in the process of visiting and deciding on a school, inquire about sitting in on a class, particularly if there’s a subject you’re already interested in. Even if you’re unsure what you want to study, actually experiencing a class for yourself can make a world of difference. When I visited Nazareth during their #NazBound days, I sat in on two classes from the business management program, which helped me decide on my major when I eventually enrolled. There is no better way to get a feel for how a school presents material than to sit in on a class with actual students in a real classroom environment.
Start With a Minor
When I came to Nazareth, I declared a business management major, however I knew I wanted to explore and take courses in more specific areas of business before deciding what academic path I would take. Since my major allowed me to take courses in a number of different fields, I was able to discover what I liked and disliked, and decided to declare a minor in marketing. Declaring a minor allowed me to take courses and earn credit in a subject matter I loved without having to switch my major. Even though my major and minor are closely related, the minor you select can be completely different from what you’re studying for your major. There are over 70 minors to choose from at Nazareth, and there is really no limit to what you can study. Declaring a minor can be a great way to either learn more about a subject you may be interested in majoring in, or study something you love without having to make it the focus of your entire academic program.
Talk to Experts
Once you arrive at college, there are a number of people who can help you find a major you love. As I mentioned in a previous post, every incoming freshman at Nazareth is assigned a career coach to help them navigate things like internship and job hunting. However, your career coach can also help you decide on a major. In fact, there are even specific career coaches who are assigned to help undeclared students find something they’re passionate about. In addition to a career coach, all students at Nazareth have academic advisors who are trained and experienced in working with undeclared students. I’d also recommend speaking with teachers and program chairs to get a sense of what material their courses cover. Also, talk to other students to get an idea of what classes they’ve enjoyed, and how their academic career has changed since they arrived at college. There are bound to be plenty of students who entered without knowing what they wanted to study, and have since decided upon a program that was right for them. The fact that there are so many people willing to help students find a path that’s right for them can make a stressful decision a lot easier.
No matter what you choose to major in when you arrive at college, it’s important to know that the decision doesn’t define you or your future. College is a great time to learn about yourself, and the learning experiences and opportunities that come along can help shape your future regardless of the major you choose. Even if you are unsure of what you want to study, there are a number of opportunities to find the perfect major along the way.