Every kindergartener has a confident answer to the question:"What do you want to be when you grow up?" But with "undecided" asThe University of Memphis's biggest major, many college studentsare no longer as certain.
Choosing a major involves a commitment that some are unready tomake upon entering college. Fortunately, it is possible for astudent to change his or her mind without falling too farbehind.
Many students at colleges across the country, including The U ofM, change their majors three or more times between admission andgraduation, said Patsy Krech, director of the College of Arts &Sciences advising center. "We'll have the occasional student whotakes a long time to figure it out."
The College of Arts and Sciences receives an estimated 100-200major change requests per semester. Reasons vary -- professors andgeneral education classes inspire some students, while others findtheir chosen major simply isn't what they had expected.
Most changes occur during a student's first or second year,which is the safest time to switch majors without delayinggraduation, officials said.
"After sophomore year, it'll probably set you back," said LaurieSnyder, assistant to the dean of undergraduate programs for theCollege of Communications and Fine Arts. "But if you stay in thesame degree, you'll be fine."
Courtney Melton, an 18-year-old sophomore majoring in exerciseand sport science, changed her major to psychology and sociology asa freshman, but then decided to return to her original major.
"I didn't want to take all that science," she said. "But then Irealized I wasn't interested in the major I changed it to(psychology and sociology)."
Melton's brief switch didn't affect her degree progress.
"The classes I took ended up being electives," she said. "I'mfinished changing now, for sure."
Students who opt to pursue a Bachelor of Sciences degree oftenface setbacks in switching from a Bachelor of Arts degree. Withmore stringent math and science requirements, some students who mayhave already completed foundations of math or biology sequencesfind themselves forced to take classes like calculus andphysics.
Most students who change majors "tend to be really happy withwhat they end up majoring in," said Snyder, who changed majorstwice as an undergraduate.
Courses taken in a student's previous major don't always amountto wasted time. Upper-division hours can be used toward a minor,and they count toward The University's requirement of 42upper-division credits.
"Students are relieved that it's not going to take as long asthey thought," Snyder said.
Krech recommends that students take personality inventories andas many general education courses as possible to get a better ideaof their strengths and interests before pursuing a major.
"Graduate with a degree that you want, not a major that will getme out of here quicker," Snyder said. "The degree is the goal.Somewhere along achieving that goal, students should be learningwhat they enjoy."
