How to Pick a College Major (And Why It’s OK to be Undeclared)

The age-old question, what do you want to do when you grow up can cause considerable stress for high school graduates and new college students. The undue pressure to be able to give an immediate answer can be overwhelming for young folks who, maybe, aren’t so sure just yet exactly what their future college and career path holds. Below, we’ll lay out a few common situations and discuss why it’s ok if you’re not 100% decided on your course of study, as well as offer some tips on how to choose something you’ll love studying.

Situation 1: I have no idea what I want to study. Is that ok?
The short answer is, yes. If you do know your exact path, more power to you—some people know what they want to do from toddlerhood. Many of us, however, follow a zigzag path until we arrive at a particular career or field that really captures our interest and passion. So, while you may have an idea of your direction, do not fret if you don’t have every single move mapped out. Often times, your interests crystallize as you move through your college journey.

In fact, in some fields, an undeclared major can actually be a good strategic move. If, for instance, you plan to enter a highly competitive concentration, you might do well to use the first year of college to build a super strong GPA. A good example is engineering school: since many engineering programs are highly selective, having a strong GPA when you apply is a good idea, so using your first year of college to build it can really help you to be an appealing candidate.

The indecision of youth is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to college majors. Many students change their major midway through college, so going in undeclared simply gives you more time to make up your mind. Who knows what classes you might find life-changing that will then inform your final decision as to a field of study. If you are completely unwilling to change your mind, you may end up studying something you don’t really feel passionate about. Listen to Claire Chandler, a junior of the University of Montana: “I don’t want to say that you have tons of time, but you have at least a couple of semesters to dabble.”

Situation 2: I know exactly what I want to study.
Good— there are definite benefits to that. For instance, you’ll know exactly what required courses you need, and you can potentially start taking them right off the bat—or even at a county or community college before you officially start, a great way to accumulate credits. Also, you can spend time familiarizing yourself with the basics of your field, reading, researching, and asking questions to prepare yourself to dive right into your course of study, already ahead of the game.

Situation 3: I kind of know what I want to study.
This is more common than you think. So many students, for example, are “interested” in business but, perhaps, don’t know much about all the different directions that course of study can take, such as marketing, supply chain, human resources, public relations, law, advertising, etc. Maybe you’re a book lover and you know you’d like to study something related to English—for many students, this can morph into studying journalism, psychology, philosophy, or law. So if you fall into the category of “kind of knowing” what you want to study, you have time to further investigate potential majors and programs. Your high school probably has a career counselor and your college will definitely have a career center, both of which can provide invaluable guidance as you navigate your interests and align them with your course of study. And, again, you may land in a college class that opens your eyes and sends you down a particular path. For more individualized help, contact iAchieve Learning to work one-on-one with a College & Career Counselor.

Along your journey to discover what you want to focus your college years on, stay attuned to what makes you happy. Do you love CSI, for instance? Maybe a career in forensics is for you. While not always so cut and dry, following the things you enjoy can lead to a truly rewarding career. Once you’ve got a sense of it, there are many ways to further your understanding of a particular field. Internships and field work, for instance, are a great way to get your “hands dirty” and to really find out if a certain line of work is for you.

The pressure of feeling that you have to know exactly what you’re studying before you set off for college can suck the excitement right out of what should be an amazing and eye-opening time in your life. Remember, this is not always a direct path, but it is often one that leads to a rewarding educational experience.

Written by Phil Lane

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