Dear Freshmen: Explore your inner voice

Dear Freshmen,

Did you know that a large percentage of college students change their major in their first year? If you’re reconsidering your major, you are not alone. This is a common occurrence because you had an idea of what you wanted based only on your experiences in high school and in your own family dynamic. Once in college, you are shown opportunities you never even considered before.

This can seem scary, but rather than ignore that inner voice….explore it. Those gen-ed classes are varied so that you can get a small taste of the options out there. If you’re starting to question your major, it would be a good idea to explore options. You can do this in several ways including talking to other students, talking to an advisor, joining a club to check out a new interest or talking to a professor of a class which is in a major you may switch to. You should also check that the classes you are taking will apply to many majors so you don’t lose credit if you switch.

Parents can be upset at first when you tell them you may switch majors, so before you tell them, explore your options.  That way when you do approach the subject, they can tell you’ve thought it through and done some research on the matter.   In the end you will be much happier as an adult if you don’t look back with regrets.  You’re young and this is the time to find yourself and follow your own dreams.