While many students know exactly what they want to major in and what career they want to pursue, there are just as many, if not more, students who have yet to make those decisions when beginning college.
Furthermore, many students go in with one major and often change it at least once in their college career.
Students who have yet to decide or declare a major typically enter a college or university as an undeclared major.
But, what does this term mean? And why do students choose this path?
Today’s article will define and explain what it means to be an undeclared major and why this path could be beneficial depending on the student and circumstances.
What is an Undeclared Major?
Colleges and universities use the terms “undeclared”, “undecided”, and “exploratory” for students who have not yet chosen their official academic major.
These students have been accepted and are enrolled in the university but must still choose their final major or degree. These students start their bachelor’s degrees without committing to a specific degree program.
Generally, undeclared students take general education classes to fulfill the general core curriculum requirements of most universities and degree programs. Plus, students can explore various degree options by taking courses in different disciplines.
Why Do Students Enter College with an Undeclared Major?
Entering college as an undeclared or undecided major does not mean you are an unmotivated or undedicated student. It can mean quite the opposite.
Some students are interested in various majors and career paths and need help choosing between different degree programs.
Other students are more definitive but also want to explore all of their options first and like the undecided option’s flexibility.
And while some students elect to be undecided because they do not know what to study, this does not mean they are bad students.
Deciding who you want to be in two to four years after high school graduation is a challenging decision, and undeclared students give themselves more time to explore their passions, interests, and options while completing core academic classes.
This is not to mention the possible money saved by not changing majors multiple times and potentially taking classes they might not otherwise need.
Additional reasons students enroll without a major include:
- They were not initially admitted to their major of choice.
- They declared a major that they no longer want to pursue.
- They want to get their general education requirements out of the way while keeping their options open.
Learn more about choosing Undecided at University of Bridgeport!
Choosing a Major as an Undeclared Student
Choosing a major is a highly personal and important decision that students should take their time making. Students should consider their interests, skills, values, abilities, and personal and professional goals during their first year as undeclared majors.
Explore a wide variety of general education courses such as Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to English, or Introduction to Biology to discover different academic disciplines.
Additionally, at University of Bridgeport, all Undecided students are assigned an academic advisor, a faculty member whose job is to guide and support students throughout their academic careers. Under their guidance, students explore their school’s degree plans and ensure they take courses that will apply to all the majors they are interested in.
Remember that most advisors will encourage students to choose and declare their major by the end of their sophomore year. This is due to the fact that they want you to graduate in four years, and degree plan requirements can change from year to year. But, once you’ve declared a major and degree plan, you will not have to take additional courses that may be added to subsequent degree plans.
Lastly, check out your school’s support services center or career development office to find more resources, opportunities, and connections with staff and peers to foster your academic, personal, social, and professional development and growth.
While being Undecided means you do not have a major, you are still able to take advantage of everything your college or university has to offer. Get involved in your classes and extracurricular activities like clubs and organizations and begin building your community and network.
Finding your community on campus and establishing a sense of place will inspire you to choose a major and finish your studies surrounded by friends. No matter if you are an undeclared or declared major, you don’t have to go through college alone, especially at University of Bridgeport.
Contact us today to learn more about the options and support services available as an undecided major. We can’t wait to help you learn more about yourself and make plans for your exciting future in college and beyond!