I've heard stories about people changing majors, but I guess I always assumed it was a one time thing that people did. If they didn't like one thing, they'd figure it out and change it to something else. I'm learning that's not the reality. Changing your major can seem like a daunting task for any number of reasons. I felt like I was abandoning my dream of having a writing career. I feel now like I'm setting my studies back by taking classes that may not end up counting towards whatever degree I settle on. It can feel like you're running in place or like you're changing your mind too many times. But here's my advice for you: do it anyway.
When I first entered college, I thought I had my life figured out as far as my career was concerned. I was a creative writing major and I wanted to write books and screenplays. Sometime around the end of my second semester though, I had a crisis of sorts wherein I figured that I wouldn't be able to support myself with a creative writing degree. I needed a job and being a creative writer isn't the most applicable of degrees. I had to decide between practicality and pursuing my dream, and ultimately practicality won out. Here's what I wasn't expecting though. After changing to a family studies major, I'm now considering changing again.
We don't stand much to lose by changing your major. The only problems I can reasonably see is prolonging your studies too long and outlasting any scholarships or financial aid that might only be supplied for four years and having to edit your resume a lot. But what do you stand to gain from changing majors? Most likely you'll take a wider variety of classes which might uncover a hidden hobby or career path for you. Miscellaneous classes don't just disappear; you can use them for multiple degrees, minors, or life enrichment. Most importantly of all though, it'll make you happy. You'll find a major that suits your interests and life goals and you'll (hopefully) spend your life doing what you love.
Sometimes I feel like my education is a competition with my friends. Who can have the highest GPA? Who can take the most classes? Who can take the most AP/honor classes? Who can enter college with the most credits? Who's in the most impressive field of study?Who can graduate in the shortest time? I get caught up in all those imaginary conflicts and forget that my education has nothing to do with my friends, particularly that last one. As I consider changing my major again, I worry that I'll lose progress in my studies and delay graduation.
However, there are other options if you feel like changing your major is too drastic an action to take. Another option is the double major. I haven't known many people to choose this option, but perhaps that's because not many people talk about it. It's not considered a traditional route and it's usually considered far too rigorous. While I haven't personally attempted it, a double major only increases the number of credits, but not the difficulty of the classes. Plus, if you were to choose related fields to double major in, you can double up certain classes and earn twice the credit.
That's currently where I stand and I encourage you all to not be worried if you aren't where you want to be yet. Changing your major or choosing a less traditional path is normal and doesn't have to be a scary thing. It may just be the key to a fantastic education and future career.
