As states put pressure on universities to graduate students quickly, the undeclared or undecided major becomes a stigmatizing choice. It is imperative for government funding that incoming students do not experiment as much, because that leads to extra classes. Therefore, as if beginning college was not stressful enough, students are often forced to choose a major right as they walk in the door.
Pressure to Choose a Major
The first thing most college freshmen are asked by friends and family is, “What is your major?”. There is a bevy of pressure in this one question. For an 18 year-old, the decision of what he/she is going to do for the rest of his/her life is extremely important and personal. Incoming freshmen who don’t know the answer to this question are sometimes made to feel less adequate than those who have chosen a field.
The Stigma of the Undeclared Major
At orientation, undecided students are grouped together and often treated as if they are not on track. This creates a stigma for these students that is often unnecessary. More than 70% of college students will change their major sometime during the course of their college career. By not reassuring the undecided students that it is okay to be unsure, universities are causing them undue grief.
The Undeclared Major is Okay
It is okay to not have a clear vision of the major. By choosing a major immediately and having unwavering devotion to it, many students are crushed when it turns out that they are not suited for the major. It is disheartening to put so much effort into something and not have it come to fruition. By beginning in an undecided option, incoming students are not tied to one goal that might often be unattainable.
Exploring Majors
There are excellent resources for undeclared or undecided students that allow them to explore their interests and personalities to determine their most desirable majors. Many universities have a 1-hour major exploration course set up to assist students in their decision. By exploring all of these resources, undeclared students often have a better understanding of themselves at the end of the term, and they can make a more informed decision regarding their major.
The most important thing to remember about major exploration is to keep an open mind. Sometimes there can be surprising results that can lead to a major or a career that was completely unheard of at the beginning of the college career.
For more information about major exploration see the Capital University Major Career Booklet or the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Workbook for Choosing a Major.
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