Considering Switching Majors? Read This

At least 80% of college students change their major throughout their college education. While changing majors in common, experts say it’s a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

US News recently offered a few tips on how to best go about changing majors and what you should know if you decide to make the switch.

DO IT BEFORE YOUR JUNIOR YEAR

Typically, colleges will require students to declare a major by the time they reach a certain number of credits. Experts generally recommend that students choose a college major by their junior year to allow enough time for on-time graduation.

“A change of major can happen at any time, but students will be advised about the pros and cons of doing so if they are thinking about it later in their college career,” Peggy Whaley, director of student engagement and success at Murray State University, says. “It’s possible, it just may extend their time and cost to degree.”

HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD SWITCH MAJORS?

Changing majors is a personal decision—one that requires careful analysis. Typically, experts recommend considering a major switch if you don’t enjoy your current classes or if you’re looking to transfer colleges. Still, experts say, what you major in typically isn’t as important for post-grad success, especially if you aren’t pursuing studies such as medicine or law.

“Don’t make the major the focus or the concentration of your effort,” David Moldoff, founder and CEO of AcademyOne, a higher education software and technology company, says. “It’s the common experiences of you learning what you like and what you don’t like. What you end up doing after college really isn’t impacted so much by the major, unless you’re going into professional studies like medical or law.”

ASK FOR HELP

While your decision to change majors is ultimately up to you, it can be helpful to gather insight and perspective from academic professionals. Experts recommend reaching out to academic advisors and faculty members to help you make the right decision.

“Professional advisers, faculty mentors and career centers have insights and data-informed tools that can be really useful,” Joanna Brooks, associate vice president for faculty advancement and student success at San Diego State University, says. “And when you gather data and perspectives, trust your instincts. Make a bold choice. A great education and career are less about which major you choose than about how deeply you engage and cultivate your capacity to think, write and innovate.”

Sources: US News, FRANK