What if the major you chose is not all it’s cracked up to be? If you’ve started to realize that you’re not satisfied with your degree path, you’re not alone. Studies show that nearly one-third of all undergrad students change their major at some point. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself if you’re thinking about changing your major.
“What are my goals?”
It’s crucial to think with the end in mind. If you don’t know where you want to go, you won’t know how to get there. Discover what your goals in life are. List out things that you want to achieve so that you can make sure the major you choose will give you the necessary tools to get there.
“What am I good at?”
Be honest with yourself- what are your strengths? If you excel in problem-solving and can make decisions on the fly, majoring in business might be for you. If you’re a natural entertainer, you might want to consider majoring in communication. Whatever path you choose, it should help to grow your skills and talents.
“What areas do I need to grow in?”
Although it’s important to recognize your strengths, it’s just as important to be familiar with your weaknesses. Getting a degree is supposed to stretch you, helping you grow to achieve the career of your dreams. Knowing what you’re bad at helps you know what you still have left to learn. The major you choose should help give you tools to turn your weaknesses into strengths.
“What could I never live without?”
It’s hard to do anything if you’re not motivated to do it at your core. What gets you up in the morning? What makes you excited to get through your day? Choosing a major you’re passionate about makes all of the assignments, exams, and general busywork feel worth it.
“What’s going to make money?”
Think about what career opportunities your major will open up- will that help you make the income you want? Look at job listings, check out jobs that you potentially want, and look into their education requirements. If changing your major makes you more prepared to land the job you want, then it might be a necessary risk to take.
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When you’re considering a different major, the change can feel scary. But change comes with new potential and new opportunities. Taking the time to reflect on your wants, needs, and capabilities will help guide you to make a well-informed decision and declare your new major.
