UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

First Year Student Blog

Considering Changing Your Major

Considering changing your major?

Thinking about changing your major? Making the decision to change your major can be difficult, especially if you are not entirely confident that you know exactly what you want to change it to. Although you might not know what new major you want to declare, you may already know that your current major is not the right fit for you. Before you take the leap into a brand new major, there are a few steps you can take to help you decide whether you want to change your major or not.
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Thinking about changing your major for the first time? Second time? Does it feel like the 100th time? Making the decision to change your major can be difficult, especially if you are not entirely confident that you know exactly what you want to change it to. Although you might not know what new major you want to declare, you may already know that your current major is not the right fit for you. Before you take the leap into a brand new major, there are a few steps you can take to help you decide whether you want to change your major or not:

  1. Talk to your advisor.
    Speaking with your advisor may be one of the most important things you can do when determining what you want to do in your future career. Your advisor (or an advisor in a major you are considering) can help you learn about the different classes you could take to find out if you want to continue taking courses in the major. Your academic advisor is an important resource all throughout your college career.
     
  2. Connect with people within the major you are curious about.
    Speaking with students and faculty in the major you are interested in can provide important information that may help you decide whether you would be interested in entering that field or not. Not only would connecting with faculty be helpful for you in order to gain information, but reaching out to them can show that you are willing to put in the effort and demonstrates a commitment to your academics.
     
  3. Take an introductory class in a new major.
    Taking introductory classes is an excellent way to dip your toes into a major you may enjoy. Before changing your academic plan completely, talk to your advisor about exploring a 100-level course that can provide a little insight into what to expect from the major. If you don’t like the course, you can still earn some credits that may apply to fulfill General Education or University Requirements.
     
  4. Set up an appointment with Career Services
    Sometimes it might not even be clear what major can best support you to get where you want to go. Sitting down with a trained career counselor can help you learn more about turning your passions into a career, and what degree will help you land a career in the field of your choosing. Career Services offers helpful appointments, assessments and opportunities to learn about internships to help you narrow down your path.

Changing you major can seem daunting, and there is the potential that it can delay your graduation, but don’t let that keep you from considering the option. Many students change their majors and many still graduate on time. And for those that don’t, they may walk away having had a college experience that was much more fulfilling and worthwhile for them, even if it took a little bit longer. If you don’t quite know where to start, reach out to your academic advisor and discuss what you can do to better your experience at River Falls. And remember: you don’t know what opportunities await you unless you take a closer look.