Did you just get your midterm grades back and didn’t do as well as you thought? Did you love biology in high school and always wanted to be a doctor, but are questioning that choice after the first couple tests? Are you seeing the work your classmates are doing and thinking that looks way more interesting than the classes you’re in?
Relax, because feelings like these are totally normal. In fact, it is good to think critically about your major, career path and future job.
Think about it. In high school, you were forced to take specific classes. Now in college, you can pick your major and your classes to hone in on the career you want in the future. When this happens though, you see the realities behind certain careers and begin to wonder if this would be something you would enjoy doing.
As I was getting deeper into my journalism degree and took more classes, I began to question whether I wanted to be a journalist. My interest in sports still remained, and my work in sports TV production made me see the other side of college athletics. It was at this point I thought about switching my career goals.
Just like it is okay to change majors, learning about new jobs and switching up your career path is also a common thing to happen in college.
Studies differ on the percentage, some reporting 30 percent of students changing their major and others as high as 80 percent. Based on this, be aware of the fact that changing your major is not the end of the world. If you are unhappy in your current major or find another topic more interesting, talk to your advisor about the possibility of finding a different major.
While it is totally fine and normal to switch majors, be aware of the repercussions. You might be behind on required classes or prerequisite courses, so be sure to get to know the classes you will need if you switch and when they are offered.
If you are worrying about majors and what classes to take next semester, there are options open. Meet with your academic advisor to talk about your options, go to the Career and Professional Readiness Center on the second floor of the Reilly Center or meet with someone in the One Stop in Hopkins. Just remain calm knowing changing majors or switching careers is a totally normal and a viable option.
While it can be helpful and reflective to think about if you are in the right degree program, if you like your current major and are confident in your career, staying in the same degree all four years is just as common as changing majors. If there is another topic that interests you, check into picking up a minor to have another dimension to add to your resume.
By Ryan Signorino, Training Editor
signorra15@bonaventure.edu
