4 Things to Consider When Changing Majors or Plans

By Moses Johnson III on November 28, 2015

The college experience is largely presented as transformative and highly developmental. It is a testing ground for strategies in life, love, and career. It is not uncommon for change to occur in any of these areas at any particular time in your life, including the college era. As the semester ends, student’s stress levels increase and opportunities for change become more apparent. When approached with making the decision to change your career as a student, consider these things carefully to achieve quality results.

Constrains harm when they are left unconsidered
By: Anton Petukhov

Consider your constraints Honestly

Idealism and optimism are never lacking in the college atmosphere. You will face advisers, professors, and peers who will challenge you and expect you to never limit yourself or your ability to overcome or achieve. It is important to accept and internalize this lesson as soon as possible because there are other, more substantial constraints that are to be considered. Finances, timeframes, and logistics should never be dismissed as negativity or pessimism. If there is a financial constraint, for instance, that looms in the coming semester it would be foolish to leave it unattended. Myopia will stifle all your greatest plans and can curtail any gains you set out to achieve. If your plan for a major change involves some sort of constraint, it would be best to be aware of situations that can arise and create a plan that resolves whatever issues are apparent. Perhaps this means remaining in a program to resolve GPA issues, downsizing a budget to accommodate future expenses, or taking a sabbatical to fully pursue. Whatever the constraint, there can be a realistic way to reach most goals that you desire.

Adding knowledge and skills will set you apart from your peers
From: Flazingo.com

When in doubt, choose advancement over tradition

The path of education at the college level is not paved in the same way as any other in America. There are many ways to achieve or bypass goals on the path to future success. While the “traditional” student begins immediately after high school and takes four to five years to complete their coursework, it is much more important that the individual student set out to become the candidate that they can effectively sell to their client, their enterprise, or their future employer. It is much more common for double majors and minors or honors programs to take precedence over “timely” graduation schedules. Do not be dismayed if you find yourself among the ranks of students who have added a second major, minor, or have taken on an honors program later in the process; especially if the addition will directly result in an increase in your knowledge-base, ability to be employed directly, or your ability to set yourself apart from other candidates specifically. A transferable skill will trump the youth that it costs to obtain.

Know before you go

Not all programs are made equal. There are programs with limited admittance and others with audition processes as a prerequisite. It is important to inform yourself about the process of withdrawal from and admission into the programs that you are involving yourself with. Every school has resources to facilitate the process of change, addition, or temporary or permanent withdrawal. No one is necessarily obligated to inform you of your options or deadlines as the information is readily available. It is up to you (as is the pattern of College life) to plan, organize, and oversee your progress as a student. Contact your current and anticipated departments to learn of the exact requirements for successful change or addition, follow up on the information and any steps involved in the process, and do your best to retain a positive reputation with all parties involved.

Try not to be a proud little peacock when switching time approaches
By: Jason Mrachina on Flikr.com

Don’t be too proud to make the switch

Everyone understands and processes pressure in different ways. Pressure and general stress can be channeled as fuel for success if properly refined and set to purpose. If you find that a change of major or education trajectory is most beneficial, it would be in your best interest to begin the process as soon as possible. One of the larger opponents to a swift move can be a feeling of shame surrounding the meaning of making a transition.

“Am I a failure?”

“I didn’t set out to do what I planned!”

“What will my (fill in the blank) say about this?”

The feelings are both natural and chocked full of pride. Yes you may have failed… You are human and share the state of mortality as such. There is nothing wrong at all with missing a mark and moving on or striving to achieve your goal over and over. Dwelling on a lapse in achievement as any more significant than the educational tool that it is exists among the worst things to do. Try not to become so proud that future sacrifices of time, money, and fulfillment become necessary to resolve situations that early changes could have prevented.

Your college experience is unique to you and should set you on a path to achieving your goals. If you continuously plan and positively react to problems during your experience, there will be little in the way of halting your successful procession into future success. Remember to take all the time you need; but take no more or less.

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