When to Choose a Major

For some students, having to choose a major is a no-brainer. They know what subjects they like, they know what career they wish to pursue, and they know exactly which major fits their goals. For other students, though, the long list of potential majors brings more confusion than clarity. Fortunately, students have many resources to help in their decision, and the decision doesn't have to be made nearly as soon as many people think.

Who Can Help You Choose a Major?

Before a student graduates from high school, it's a good idea to develop a relationship with the school's guidance counselor. Through periodic meetings, the counselor can get to know the student's interests and his class preferences and difficulties. The counselor may be able to make suggestions about which majors and career goals fit well with the student's current interests. If nothing else, these discussions may help the student to narrow down the possible majors.

Once enrolled in college, each student is given an adviser who is available to discuss problems and to help a student select courses, schedule classes, and choose a major. The adviser will be able to offer tips to help a student with her selection. (Though advisers are assigned, most colleges will allow a student to request a new one if she establishes rapport with a different instructor. Once a student has declared a major, she'll be given an adviser from that department.)

Interest and aptitude tests can sometimes help a student's decision by offering an objective evaluation of the student's interest. On such a test, a student will rate statements according to his preferences or he may be asked to choose which statement in a pair best describes him.

Frequently using a computerized rubric, the test will evaluate the student's responses and offer a list of majors and/or career fields that may suit him. For some students, this can be a tremendous help in choosing a major.

The college adviser may be able to direct students to quality aptitude tests, or an internet search will likely return many results.

When Should You Choose a Major?

Fortunately, it isn't necessary to choose a major when applying to college, on orientation day, or even anytime during the freshman year. Most colleges don't require a major to be declared until the second semester of the sophomore year or possibly the first semester of the junior year.

Prior to declaring a major, students can work on taking the general studies courses that are required of all students. It may be helpful to take upper level classes required for a couple different majors to get a better idea of whether the topic is suitable - though it may be a better idea to simply review the course syllabus and 'sit in' on a few of the class sessions. This allows a student to see the topic in greater detail, listen to the instructor, and look through the text books without actually paying for the class. Of course, sitting in on a class in this way won't give a student any credit hours.

The time needed to choose a major varies from student to student, but no one should rush into the decision. Plans and preferences can change during the college years, and students should feel comfortable giving themselves time to make that final decision.