Switching Majors: The Difference between Giving Up and Knowing What is Not Right for You | Gretchen Weber

                  It’s that time of year when the spring fever isn’t just about getting outside; it’s about getting out of your major.  There are many aspects of changing majors that can seem, well a bit terrifying.  First and foremost visit your advisor, let them know what you’re thinking.  Know that they will not have all the answers, and you have to do a lot of research on your own.  Set up appoints with advisors in other majors, and ask them what the program is like, what the coursework entails, and where the major can lead you.  Below are some of the most common excuses that can keep you from switching majors:

 ‘I can’t switch majors because (of)                                              ‘

1.     My parents

Parents have a large sway on our decisions.  They may even fund our education, which can get a bit hairy.   The best solution is just talking, note: talking NOT yelling.  Your parents may have expected you to become a doctor, they may not have.  Explain to them, and be honest, that where you’re headed simply isn’t where you want to be.  Hiding information, say about your D in Chemistry, will not help you in the long run.  They will find out. They’re parents, it’s inevitable.  If they are threatening to pull the plug on funds, take it easy, suggest other avenues you’ve discovered since visiting college, and that being a lawyer, concert pianist, etc… isn’t your passion anymore.  The word passion is key.  Your parents have been on this earth long enough to know that passion is something you need in a career to truly find it worth-while.

2.     My scholarship

This is really scary territory here.   When it comes to losing a scholarship over a major change it’s heartbreaking, not only because you probably worked really hard for that scholarship, but also because financially you’re just not as steady.  

First of all keep in mind you are NOT the first one for this to happen to.  Talk to donors, tell them your situation, and let them know you’re thinking about switching majors.  Ask them if there are any other majors you may consider that will apply toward scholarship.

Secondly there are many scholarships out there.  Not just for OSU, but scholarships that are handed out in your community.  Do a little research.  One of the best resources I’ve found is fastweb.com, a site that will find scholarships for you based on the information supplied.

3.     I’ll feel like a failure

Your worst enemy most the time is yourself.  There are so many avenues to get where you want to go.  Just because you don’t have a degree in marketing, doesn’t mean you can’t go be a marketer.  An advisor once told me that in college you learn certain skills, and it is the way you advertise those skills, and the experience you gain that can get you where you want to be.  You have to look beyond the label of the major.