Changing your Major in College
College is the perfect environment to figure yourself out, including what you want to study.
By Mackenzie Roberts — November 9, 2022
Everyone asks what you want to do from the time you begin high school until the day you graduate. Are you going to college? If so, what do you want to study? You hear these questions from your parents, teachers, and school counselors. The questions can cause tremendous stress and even the pressure to have it all figured out — as was the case for me when it came time to decide on a major. I knew that I wanted to attend college, but I did not know what to study or where I would go after the fact.
Admissions create stress too. Many things are thrown at you quickly, such as cost and financial aid, living options, and your schedule. I remember visiting campus for the first time in October of my senior year in high school. When my admission counselor asked about my intended major, I told her I had considered attending law school. She scheduled me to meet with the chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences to discuss the appropriate path. Unlike many science — based careers, law does not require specific prerequisites, meaning what I majored in was entirely up to me. After speaking with my now academic adviser about what would be beneficial, I declared my major in political science and sociology. I remember leaving that day feeling unsure of my decision. I was not even sure what sociology was.
In 2019, I walked the long sidewalk to the building where I would attend my first classes. During the first-week ice breakers, the most common introductory questions were "What is your name?” and "What are you studying?" I was shocked to hear so many people confidently assert that they were undecided at the time. I had no idea this was an option, and I could not understand how they were so okay with not knowing what they wanted to do. Weren't we supposed to have all this figured out?
For three semesters, I studied sociology. I dreaded every class and felt I could not grasp any of the concepts. I did not understand how it would help me if I wanted to attend law school. The feelings of extreme unhappiness tainted my college experience and made me question if college was even for me. Before beginning classes, my academic adviser informed me I had to take general education classes to graduate, including a history course. I could not understand why. I felt it was such a waste of my time. Even in grade school, I dreaded history and did not want to encounter it again. Spoiler Alert: I will graduate this May with a history and political science degree.
I spent three semesters scared of change. I took history courses on top of my political science and sociology classes for fun. While studying history, I felt confident in understanding the materials and enjoyed what content I learned. Changing my major terrified me. I felt that it would set me back and that I had to stay in sociology. Now in my fourth year of college, I know just how common it is for people to change their major once they find something they genuinely enjoy. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 1 in 3 college students change their major on their way to achieving their bachelor's degree (Data Beginning College Students Point-National Center for Education)!
The reality was that I did not experience a setback at all. Despite having made a change, I made adequate progress and stayed on track to graduate. More importantly, I enjoy attending classes and take pride in my studies. Homework is not nearly as painful as it was when I studied topics like sociological research methods. I am also no longer in the professor's office on the verge of tears, prepping for each exam filled with anxiety.
I should note, however, that changing a major is not always easy, and you should consider many different factors. If you feel uncertain about your studies and wonder if a better option exists, you might meet with an academic adviser to express your concerns. Advisors are there to assist you regarding these decisions. Together, you can figure out if a change will cause conflict with cost or your path to graduation.
If I could go back and give myself advice, I would tell myself to embrace the uncertainty. College is the perfect environment to figure yourself out, including what you want to study. I spent a lot of energy doing something I did not enjoy out of fear of change. I do not regret my decision to become a history major. I am glad that I acted on my feelings of discontent and would encourage anyone in a similar position to embrace their uncertainty and examine the available options.
Mackenzie Roberts
Mackenzie Roberts is a senior at William Penn University majoring in History and Political Science. On campus, Mackenzie is an active presence, enjoying her roles as Student Ambassador and the Department Assistant for Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mackenzie loves college student life and expanding her knowledge on various topics.
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