Question:  

Dear Ms. Informed, 

What should I do if I want to change my major as a junior?  

Sincerely, GPA Goodie Two-Shoes 

Response:  

Dear GPA Goodie Two-Shoes,  

It’s always a challenge to feel like you’ve committed to one major, only to discover in your journey that you would be better suited to another. It takes wisdom to discover that, so props. You don’t want to end up in a field that will make you miserable.  

When approaching a decision like this, remove all judgment, other people’s and your own. If you realize as a junior that you need to take a different path, you have every right to commit to that and take all the time needed to get there.  

However, this decision does require wisdom and intention. Think about the work you have already done and ask yourself why you want to switch — is it a temporary setback, or a deep dissatisfaction with your current path?  

One idea to combat is the sunk cost fallacy, which holds that “we are likely to continue an endeavor if we have already invested in it, whether it be a monetary investment or the effort we put into the decision.”  

You are not required to finish something just because you started it. At the same time, if you find that this is a pattern of starting something and dropping it, that might be a sign that you need to examine your college goals more closely.   

There are a few things to consider, including how much time and money goes into a change like this. If you are switching from something like nursing to business, it’s safe to say that not a ton of your credits will overlap and that will likely mean more semesters before you graduate.  

If this change is important to you, that time is necessary. For the additional tuition money, make sure you have a plan in place to keep a steady stream of income. Start looking for jobs and internships in your new field now, so you can get loans paid off sooner and find financial security.  

Be cognizant of your sources of income and support for college. If you are receiving support from parents or scholarships, make sure everyone knows what’s going on and understands the change. Don’t forget the blessing it is to choose your own path in college, and the people that are helping get you there.  

This is one of the most important times to seek out your advisor — it would be horrible to miss credits and lengthen your time even more. Consult every resource available to you when you make the transition.  

Finally, there is no such thing as living your life at the wrong time. College should take a different length of time for every field and every individual. If you need to graduate faster, do it. If you need more time to discover your bet fit, fantastic. There is no list of rules for how you as an individual need to “do college.” Good luck! 

Sincerely,  

Ms. Informed

Graphic by Scribe Staff