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Jack Coogan

Choosing a Major

Updated: Apr 9, 2021





Picking a major in college can be very stressful, sometimes it can feel like everyone knows what they want to do besides you. This is far from the truth thought, as at least 75% of students start their college career undecided or change their major at least once. It's more important to take your time finding the right major for you, rather than picking a major just to be able to tell people you have one.


Personally, I didn't declare my major until spring of Sophomore year, the last semester you are allowed to be undecided in at Loyola Maryland. I knew I wanted to be a Communications major by fall of Sophomore year, but I decided to wait until the spring in case I have any second thoughts. I had plenty of friends who did the same thing too, as changing a major can be stressful.


This doesn't mean it's impossible though, far from it actually. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 80% of students in the United States end up changing their major at least once. People choose their majors for a variety of different reasons, some majoring in subjects their parents wanted them to, and others just being wrong about what they want to do in life. The important thing to remember is that changing your major isn't a bad thing, it's actually a sign of progress.


Considering this, it would be a good idea to not stress about picking your major too much. If you have something you want to do when you get to school, try it out and see if you like it. If you don't enjoy it as much as you thought you would, there's always going to be time to find something you love.


If you don't know what you want to do, going to college undecided is far from the end of the world. and taking core classes could help you find the major you didn't even know you were looking for. On top of that, your advisor is there for a reason: to advise you. If you take advantage of your advisor, it could make the process of choosing a major much less stressful. At the end of the day, hearing family members ask you over and over again during the holidays what your major is shouldn't have any impact on choosing what you want to do with your life. It's your major, and you have plenty of time to find out what it's going to be for yourself before anyone else needs to know.


And if you ever feel stressed because you don't know what you want to do yet, ask yourself if you think anyone else really knows exactly what they want to do with their life at 18 years old?

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