8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Changing Your Major

By Brittany Loeffler on December 30, 2017

There is a ton of pressure to choose a major when applying to college. One of the most common questions you will receive while in school is, “What are you majoring in?” This question may make some students anxious and push them into a major they aren’t actually interested in when applying or first starting college.

A year or two into your major, if you find yourself dreading going to class and reading about your major, it may be time to change it. Before you make the decision to change your major, you should ask yourself some questions to see if it is the best thing for you.

via Pixabay

What Major Do I Want to Switch To?

The first thing you need to figure out is what major you would like to switch to. You obviously have an idea of what you want to study if you are thinking about switching majors. Before you commit to another major, though, do your research and talk to an advisor about the program. Learn everything you need to know about the classes, the benefits, and the professors who teach classes required for that major.

What Don’t I Like About My Current Major?

Why are you considering changing your major? This is the time to take a step back and figure out what it is you don’t like about your major. Maybe it’s the content or the career path it leads to. Or it may be a class or two you just don’t enjoy.

Try to determine if there is a significant problem you have with your major overall. If you find that you don’t like small, meaningless aspects of the major such as certain assignments or professors, it may not be the best idea to change your major. However, if you figure out that you don’t want to go into the career path it leads to, then it may be time to change.

via Pixabay

Will Changing My Major Set Me Back?

Determine how much changing you major will set you back from graduating on time. Will all of your credits transfer over? This is an important aspect to consider when changing your major because if you have to spend an extra year at school, that is another year of tuition you must pay.

Check out your loans and budget to see if changing majors is the best choice for you financially. Can you afford to spend an extra semester or two at school?

Is it Necessary to Change Your Major?

Depending on where you see yourself after graduation, is it necessary to change your major? If you plan to go into a field where multiple majors are accepted and can succeed, you may want to stick with your current major rather than go through the process of changing it.

If it turns out that you want to switch to a completely different subject, for example, switching from psychology to chemistry, it is probably a good idea to change your major.

What Do I Want to Do After Graduation?

This will probably be the toughest question to answer. What do I want to do after graduation? Think about what you would consider to be your dream job. Then think about what you need in order to get that job. Is a certain major required to break into the field of your dream job?

You don’t have to have a concrete plan because plans always change anyways, but you should have a solid idea of the field you’d like to go into.

via Pixabay

How Does the Program Compare to Other Schools?

If you are considering changing your major, look at the program as a whole. Is it considered to be a good program compared to other schools? How does your current program compare?

If you switch your major, you don’t want to downgrade to a program that is mediocre and may not push you to be as successful as our current program would.

Do I Know Someone in that Major?

If there is someone you know who is already in the major you would like to change to, schedule a time to sit down and talk to them about their experience. There is only so much an academic advisor can tell you about a certain major. When you speak to a current student, they are guaranteed to answer your questions unfiltered and honestly.

This will give you a much better idea of the reality of what studying that major is like.

Is This What is Best for Me?

After answering all of the above questions, decide if changing your major is actually what is best for you. If you have to stay at school for an extra year, is it worth it to pay another year of tuition? Will switching your major actually get you closer to your dream job?

If you figure out that changing your major is what will be best for you in the long-run, then go for it! Start the process and fall in love with your new major!

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