How do I choose a major? The complete guide for undecided college students.
How do I choose a major? The complete guide for undecided college students.
If you’re asking, “How do I choose a major?” you aren’t alone. Picking a major can seem like a daunting, high-stakes task. In reality, it’s common and even expected that you won’t know what career you’d like to pursue as soon as you graduate high school. It’s OK to still go to college and take your time considering your options.
Consider declaring as an exploratory major. While you cannot graduate as an exploratory major, the program allows you to find the major that is the right fit for you. Here’s what you should know about being undecided and your option to be an exploratory student.
What is the exploratory major?
The exploratory major is for any student who is unsure of what they’d like to study. Rather than committing right away to a program you’re uncertain about, this option gives you time to discover what interests you and how you’d like to spend your time once you start your career. It gives purpose to your studies, making the exploratory program one of the best majors for undecided students, even though it isn’t technically a major.
Being exploratory is different from being a general studies major. A Bachelor of Arts in General Studies allows you to receive a well-rounded liberal arts education, taking many different courses from many different departments. With an exploratory major, you will declare a focused area of study at some point (usually by the end of your first year), but take a variety of courses as you decide on a plan of study.
How do I choose a major by being exploratory?
The University of Northern Iowa has a five-step process for exploratory students to streamline finding the major that’s best for you:
- Assess interests, skills & values. This involves taking career assessments and talking with people who know you well.
- Explore your options at UNI. One way to explore is by going to the Majors in Minutes event — it’s like speed dating for majors!
- Research & gather information. You’ll connect with student groups, Career Services staff and faculty from different areas of interest.
- Narrow down options. This might include making a pros and cons list or job shadowing.
- Select your major! Now it’s time to pursue your passion!
Throughout the entire process, your academic advisor will be there to guide you, making you feel more confident and less alone.
“My advisor has been fantastic!” said UNI exploratory student Katelyn Stiles. “She's been extremely helpful with all the questions I've had. If there's a question she can't answer specifically, she connects me to someone who can and has overall been amazing!”
“The best resource I had was my advisor,” said Jana Baker, a psychology major who started as exploratory. “She was here on the first day for orientation. She picked all my classes. She really got to know me before she picked these classes, and I felt like she understood what I was stressing about. I ended up liking one or two of those classes.”
The benefits of being exploratory
Being exploratory means you don’t waste time. When you declare your major after going through the program, you’ll be more likely to stick with it through graduation. The program helps you learn more about yourself, analyzing your skills and values, which will serve you well in your future. Ultimately, you’ll make an informed decision about a major.
“I was not constricted to certain classes or a certain timeline,” said Will Hornseth, another exploratory student at UNI. “I was able to try many different courses to find what suited me best.”
It can be hard not to know what you’d like to study in college, especially if it seems like all your friends have this figured out. By being exploratory, you’re actively in pursuit of making this decision, rather than pushing it to the side. It’s highly effective at connecting you with the right major.
“When I declared my major, I felt confident,” said Baker. “It took a lot of work to find who I was, and I really feel like I have grown to know more about myself and what I like to learn about. I know myself on a deeper level.”
Does the exploratory program work?
The exploratory program is an effective way to get connected with the major that’s the best fit for you. For years, students at the University of Northern Iowa have appreciated finding their path through the exploratory major. The program’s success is grounded in the success of students and graduates.
“It’s totally okay not to have it all figured out,” said Amelia Garber, a UNI grad who discovered public administration through the exploratory program. “College is a time to explore your interests, try new things, and learn about yourself. Don’t compare your journey to others. Focus on the classes you enjoy and use that as a starting point. I thought I knew what I wanted, but after a few classes, I realized it wasn’t the right fit. You won’t know until you try, so try a few things out and take full advantage of the resources UNI offers.”
Another grad who found his major through the exploratory program is Lucas Kahler, who earned a degree in public relations.
“Take the time to explore because UNI has so many amazing options,” he said. “Use the resources available to you, read the four-year plans of study and decide how those courses align with your interests. UNI is an amazing campus filled with supportive faculty, qualified educators and a community of Panthers who will help you become who you want to be.”
I already declared a major. Can I change it?
If you already picked out a field of study, you can still change it! Many students change their major multiple times. It’s OK to change your mind. Some students can make a seamless switch, while others choose to add a major or minor. Regardless of how you decide to do it, you can pivot with purpose. The Office of Academic Advising should be your first stop if you’re thinking about changing your major.
Start exploratory at UNI — one of the best majors for undecided students
When you look at the process and the results it yields, it’s easy to see why the exploratory program at the University of Northern Iowa is so successful. If you’re ready to go through the exploratory program at UNI, connect with the Office of Academic Advising. An advisor will be with you each step of the process to help you go from undecided to declared.
