Why 'Undecided' Is the Best Major to Start With
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why 'Undecided' Is the Best Major to Start With

Undecided simply allows you to have a wider spectrum of opportunities, never tying you down to a specific major (and future) just yet.

179
Why 'Undecided' Is the Best Major to Start With
A# U# / Unsplash

In 2015, the top five majors of Biola’s undergraduate students included business administration, psychology, theology, and visual and performing arts. But in reality, almost 80% of college students change their majors at least once before graduating. It’s (almost) impossible for millennials to know what they want to do for the rest of their life, especially with the ever-broadening list of career possibilities.

Luckily, most colleges now offer a special undecided or undeclared degree, wherein students can explore their options. This is especially helpful to those who are still unsure with which major to pick. (There’s nothing wrong with not knowing what you want to do with your life). The following are several reasons why I am a proponent of beginning your college career with undecided!

Complete your GEs first.

If anything, do it just to finish your general education within the first couple of semesters. Most students who pick the undecided major as a freshman take on more of these courses, and therefore are able to focus more on their majors in the coming years. Plus points because major classes are always really engaging and interesting. (If you like your major. Hopefully you like your major. If you don’t, please rethink it).

Opportunities.

Many colleges require students to take a certain number of credits for electives. This gives us the chance to take a variety of classes that may not even coincide with our prospective careers. Art majors can take chemistry classes and theology majors can take business courses. No one is stopping you. Except for yourself, of course. Once a major is decided, it’s hard to schedule the time for other courses that may not seem as significant for the future. On the other hand, an undecided major would allow you to make time for even the oddest of classes without feeling constantly overloaded. Take that pottery class if you want to – you have the time!

Don’t settle yet.

After all, you never know until you try. College is a time of exploration and figuring out your identity. Regardless if you think you’ve figured out what you want to do for the rest of your life, coming into college with undecided is a wonderful opportunity to keep options open to what the ‘real world’ has to offer. In most universities around the world, undecided isn’t even option for most students. Majors must be decided from the moment we enter college, since both money and time are at stake. We should be making the most of this opportunity that allows us to explore a variety of subjects before settling with a major.

Everything doesn’t have to be figured out yet.

Millennials have so many opportunities that most students our age seem to have figured everything out by now. But in reality, four years of college is relatively short. It’s not enough time to plan out the rest of our lives. Undecided doesn’t necessarily mean not knowing what to do with your life it just means that you’re taking the time to figure out if it’s certainly what you want to do.

After all, college is an era of learning and seeking for the truth. Undecided simply allows you to have a wider spectrum of opportunities, never tying you down to a specific major (and future) just yet. It shows you a world of possibilities that you may never even have thought of before.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

82966
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

50165
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

983399
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments