What To Consider Before Changing Your College Or University Major

What To Consider Before Changing Your College Or
University Major
Choosing a university or college major is a big decision, and it’s not always one that students
stick with. Exposure to new and interesting courses, unhappiness or difficulty completing
course work can cause some students to reconsider their area of study, but there are many
factors to consider before choosing a new major – here are some to get you started.
What Does the New Program Entail?
When a degree program isn’t what they expected, some students rush to find a new program
and, therefore, do little research into the new field of study. If the new program comes with
unpleasant surprises, is difficult or makes you unhappy, you might need to change majors again
– a process that can be daunting, time consuming and costly. To avoid making the same
mistake twice, do your due diligence. This includes:
Understanding the course requirements and workload
Researching career development and progression in your chosen field
Understanding the job options for graduates with your degree
Checking job prospects, possible internships and the availability of jobs in your market

Looking at starting salaries, average salaries and low-end and high-end salaries in your
possible career fields
Why do You Want a Different Major?
Before changing your major, think deeply about why you want and need to change. A
complicated or frustrating course, heavy course load and/or a ‘bad’ professor isn’t a reason to
make the switch. Never decide to change your major when you’re feeling unhappy, stressed or
angry. Plus, ill-feelings about your current degree program isn’t a solid reason to make a switch.
To make an informed decision, do your research and write down the pros and cons of your
current field of study. Additionally, ask yourself some questions to reveal how you really feel
about your major. For example:
Are the classes, coursework or job prospects different than what you expected? Are
they worse?
Specifically, what don’t you like about the program? What do you like?
Have your interests changed?
Is their any coursework or focus in the program that interests you? What doesn’t
interest you?
Ask yourself similar questions about the majors you’re considering. Ultimately, the
answers to these questions could help you create a clear image of the major that’s right
for you.
Your Year of Study
Switching fields of study in the middle of your college or university career means more time and
more money. Fortunately, there’s a solution for those who are past the mid-point in their
programs; instead of changing majors, find an independent study or obtain a minor or double
major. On
How Well You’re Performing Academically
For students, academic performance is often a measure of happiness. It’s easy to be unhappy
with your field of study when you’re failing or generally not performing well. In actuality, if
you’re finding that your coursework is too difficult, this may be a very good reason to change
your major. If you’re doing well in your classes, weigh the benefits and drawbacks, research and
consider all your options before switching. Remember, having a solid academic foundation
gives you options and the ability to explore other areas of interest.
How it Will Affect Graduation

In many ways, starting a new degree program is starting over. Changing majors could affect
when you graduate. To start a new program, you will need to take entry-level classes and
maybe even some prerequisites. This means more time spent meeting degree requirements
and getting to a level where you’re eligible and competent enough to graduate from your new
program. It also might mean more time spent in school.
There’s much to consider when it comes to switching your major. Speak to your academic
advisors to learn about your options and to find a solution that’s the best fit not only for what
interests you but also what makes the most sense financially and in terms of time.
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