When I arrived at Syracuse University on move-in day, I thought I had my whole life figured out. I would participate in the school’s five-year Music Education program, secure a job as a music teacher in a New York state suburban school district, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, my plans were quickly derailed. As I listened to my professors describe the academic and career track of my major, I began to doubt my choices.
Still, changing my major seemed like an unthinkable option. How could I choose to unravel the plans I’d put so much work into making? I eventually did change my major, and I never looked back. Switching programs was undoubtedly the right choice for me, but how did I garner the courage to make the change? If you’re thinking about changing your major, here are some things you’ll want to do.
Identify a new major. It sounds silly, but it’s important to do extensive research on what programs are available before you decide to switch. I knew I wanted to stay within the music realm, but the education component wasn’t for me. Think about your long-term goals: where do you really want to be in five years, and what do you want to spend the majority of your time doing? Choose a new major based on that.
Utilize official school resources. Talk to admissions counselors and faculty/staff within the programs you’re interested in. They’ll help you work through the doubts you’re having about your current major, and identify what it is you’re really looking to get out of your college experience. Don’t be afraid to tap into these resources — that’s what they’re there for.
Talk to other students. My biggest catalyst in making the switch was a conversation I had with another student. After surveying my options, I was pretty sure that Music Industry was where I wanted to be. So, I asked older students in the program about their experiences. Getting the real, no-frills lowdown from students just like me helped more than anything in making my choice.
Let go of your plans. What they say is true: life doesn’t always work out the way we plan. Trust me. I spent four years loving my major and two years after college enjoying my work in a relevant industry. Now, I’m doing something totally different. Plans and goals are important to have, but try not to get attached to them. Trust the process, and be willing to let go of your plans if it means doing what feels right to you.
If you’re thinking of changing your major, don’t be afraid — just do it! You’ll be much happier in the long run, and well on your way to establishing a successful, fulfilling career.
Written by Nicole Milano. Nicole is a writer and yoga instructor from Rochester, N.Y., as well as a freelance writer for NextStepU. Read more from her at The Everyday Yogi and tweet her @nicolemariemil.
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