Choosing A Major And Minor In College
How can I get help choosing a college major?
Many colleges do not expect students, and in fact even prohibit students from declaring a major when they first begin. Some schools do allow students to declare a major when they apply to attend the school. There is some benefit in waiting. Many times, students are pressured into feeling that they must declare who they are, and that they must see somebody academically right away. That is not necessary, and actually statistics tell us quite the opposite. In fact, students typically change a major two and a half to three times during their college days, so instant choices on your major really isn't necessary. So, you really should go into college expecting that you will change your major during the course of your education. If you need help, there are always people available. Your faculty advisor is more than willing to talk to you about what your academic interests are, and how they change. Staff and faculty members who are part of an academic program are also available to talk to you about what your major is, and what it can do to help you to be successful. The career center can often be helpful in telling you where to go to get more information, such as web sites or internship opportunities.
How do I make the best use of college electives?
Electives are your opportunity to pursue what you would like to know. It's your opportunity to explore an area of interest that perhaps you've always had and wanted to learn more about. The key to using your electives wisely, though, is to prepare near the beginning of your educational experience by speaking with your faculty advisor and determining whether or not you have an interest in earning a minor. If you would like to pursue a minor in a subject to supplement your major, many times colleges and universities expect you to fulfill your minor requirements with your elective courses. Some people do not choose to pursue a minor and in fact like to take their electives and use them to pursue specific interests that they've always had. Either way it's your choice, but do prepare in advance because if you get too far into your academic experience in your second or third year, you may have taken electives based on personal choice and decide you want to take on a minor and it can be a little too late at that point and you've had to take extra courses to fulfill the minor requirement.
Is there a particular order I should follow when signing up for courses in my major?
Yes, it's very important to meet with a faculty advisor and to follow the description of your major closely. This can be found in the catalog. It can also be found in any supplemental hand outs or information that your faculty advisor provides for you. In order to be able to successfully graduate with the combination of general education or core requirements, you need to follow a carefully prescribed plan that your faculty advisor and you will follow. Typically this includes taking lower division courses in your first and second year, getting much of your general education out of the way and then moving on to taking major courses as well as possibly some minor courses. This is a very carefully structured process and I cannot stress enough how important it is to speak to your faculty advisor early on, so that you don't make any mistakes down the road.
What is a college 'minor'?
A minor is an alternative field of study that is a compliment, or perhaps entirely different from your main field of study. Students use minors to fulfil either a personal interest or to supplement whatever it is that they are taking as their major. It typically involves a smaller number of units than the major, hence it's called a minor. And oftentimes it can be completed in approximately two semesters, it might take about six classes to be able to complete a minor.
What is the best time to choose my college major and minor?
Students who are choosing a major must make their decision before the second or third year. However, most schools, colleges and universities often require the students to declare their major by the second yea; that is by the end of the soft more year. Whereas, other schools leave the process entirely open. It is better that the students make their decision on which major to choose by the end of the second year or even before as all the general education courses basically end by the second year. That is why the faculty advisor working with you will advice you to make the decision before the middle of your soft more year.
What if I want to change my college major?
Changing your major can be very simple, especially in the earlier years of your education. It is something that should be anticipated. Changing one's major often requires the permission of the faculty advisor who you have been working with. It will often also require some permission from the college, or at least from the department that you are leaving. It will always require permission from the department that you are about to enter. The process is not that time consuming, but it is something that needs to be done. This is because until the paperwork is actually filed, your major will not be recorded on any transcripts or any documentation that you may need when you want to apply for scholarships or awards, and when it may be important to have a certain major. It's important to get that paperwork filed early.
