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Should I Switch Majors?

young woman in red sweater considering

So, you’re a year or two into your college journey and you’re starting to feel like, maybe, you made the wrong choice about your major. Courses in your major don’t excite...

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So, you’re a year or two into your college journey and you’re starting to feel like, maybe, you made the wrong choice about your major.

Courses in your major don’t excite you. Honestly, you’re not even sure you want to pursue a career in the same field you did when you registered.

What do you do?

 

Should You Switch Majors?

Making the choice to switch majors in college can be tough. You don’t want to lose credits you’ve worked hard for or — even worse — increase the weight of your student debt.

To be sure you’re making the right choice, first ask yourself the following:

  • What’s making me want to switch my current major?
  • How can I improve my experience in my current major? Do I need help through tough courses? Is it my professors?
  • What new major or career path interests me now? Why?

 

Once you have a deep understanding of what’s causing you to seek change, you can determine if you truly want to continue with the process.

 

How to Change Majors: First Steps

 

If you’re considering starting a new graduation track, the first thing you’ll want to do is schedule some time with your College Advisor. Your Advisor’s top priority is helping you succeed, and with their wealth of knowledge and experience, they’re a great option for advice.

In general, students in their first 2 years of college (or first 60 credits) will have a less-risky route to changing majors. That’s because those first credits are made up of your “basic” courses. The courses that set the foundation for your future degree are usually easily applicable to almost any track you choose.

The further into your current track you are, the more challenging it may be to switch without some penalties. That’s why switching majors in your junior year of college can be a risk — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.

 

How to Work With Your Advisor to Change Majors

Ready to start the process? Schedule some time with your College Advisor. Come prepared for an in-depth discussion:

 

  • Bring your college transcript and current course list
  • Bring the course list for your desired new major
  • Write down your questions ahead of time

 

At the time you schedule your meeting, request a Degree Audit or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). This will help you and your Advisor get a full-picture view of your credits, certifications, life experience, and extracurriculars. Together, you can determine if your desired switch and your previous experience are a good match.

 

Remember that when it comes to changing majors, you’re not alone. Up to 50% of college students will switch majors at least once in their college journey (that number is highest in STEM-related fields.)

 

With help from your Advisor and a lot of self-searching, we’re confident you’ll make a great choice.

 

Switching majors, choosing majors, and surviving your adult college experience is what we know best! Join the Back to School Divas Facebook Group to share stories, ask questions, and connect with women who share your experiences.

Ready to switch majors? Get organized and on track with our FREE Back to School Divas planner template. Grab the link when you sign up for our email list.

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5 Types of Professors You Meet in College

woman professor standing smiling in front of a chalkboard

5 Types of Professors You Meet in College (And How To Handle Them)

First, there's acceptance, tuition, and registration. Buying books and doing homework are time-and-money-consuming enough. But then there’s the issue of your college prof...

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5 Types of Professors You Meet in College (And How To Handle Them)

First, there’s acceptance, tuition, and registration. Buying books and doing homework are time-and-money-consuming enough. But then there’s the issue of your college professor.

Whether you’re taking courses in-person or online, you’ll have to deal with them. Your college professor can be your guide and trusted Giver of Wisdom—or they can be an absolute nightmare.

What you learn, how you learn, the depth of your workload, and most importantly YOUR GRADE are all determined by this one person. So. Much. Pressure.

Learn how to deal with the 5 types of college professors you’ll meet on your journey (if you haven’t already!)

1. The Tough Gal (Or Guy)

This is the college professor every college student dreads. Still, the universe wouldn’t be in perfect order if you didn’t have at least one of this professor type.

The Tough Gal assigns two chapter readings and a quiz every week, with no opportunities for extra credit (of course.) “Make it work,” she says in her best Tim Gunn impression.

Her Goal: to force you to prioritize your work and get organized.

How to Deal: get your work done on time, and try to stand out from the class by engaging with her and your classmates (even online.) Get her to see that you’re a real person, with a real life, and she just might have some pity on you.

2. The Absentee

If you have this professor in person, you’ll often see the sign on the door: class canceled. Yay! At least, until the test rolls around. He’s never absent on those days.

Online, this professor never replies to email. Ever. Your questions go unanswered, even while grades still pop up in your Blackboard grade book.

So. Frustrating.

His Goal: skate by on minimum effort, seems like.

How to Deal: do your work, stay under the radar, and reach out to your classmates with any questions you have. You’re all in this together, after all.

3. The Hot Mess

Maybe she’s new. Maybe she has a crazy home life. Whatever the case, this college professor always seems on edge, is always borrowing pens from students, and can never find the lecture notes she needs.

This professor could be brilliant, and yes, she shows up on time—but being in her classroom gives you anxiety.

Her Goal: just make it through the day, honestly.

How to Deal: first and foremost, be kind. You never know what she’s going through! Be conversational when appropriate, and have patience. Oh, and keep extra pens on you at all times.

4. The Genius

This is the college professor of Hollywood. Intelligent, thoughtful, and totally put-together. The Genius is the type who probably wrote your textbook. She sits on the board of nonprofits and spends summer vacation excavating archaeological sites.

She has a lot of wisdom to impart! If you have any interest in her research and subject matter at all, she’s the perfect professor to ask to mentor you.

Her Goal: save the world, and also change the way you see it for the rest of your life.

How to Deal: listen carefully, take lots of notes, and pay attention! Ask her to mentor you if you’re interested, or ask for a recommendation letter. She’s likely highly respected in her field.

5. The One Who Loves Group Projects

Who doesn’t love a good group project? This college professor type REALLY loves them. “Get together, meet people, and explore things in real life!” Sure, we all need to work on our people skills. But does he not realize how hard it is to coordinate a group project online?

Sheesh!

His Goal: improve your communication skills, connect with people, and learn to operate with a team mentality.

How to Deal: Play the role you need to in the group to survive, and be a stand-up person when it comes to meeting deadlines and showing up for activities.

 

Can you think of any other professor types? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to share this post if you enjoyed it.