To many students entering college, there is a massive misconception that one must have an idea of what to major in from the beginning, but statistics show that most college students change their major after their first two to three semesters and possibly a few more times throughout their college career. Keeping this in mind, perhaps colleges need to better communicate the reality that entering college as undeclared is frequently the better option.
At most colleges, students are required to take a certain set of classes, potentially including a literature course, speech, a various science or a social science class. Starting college with a very specific idea of what one thinks they want to major in could possibly be detrimental to the flexibility of having an open mind to experimenting in general education classes and introductory level courses. You could possibly realize an unexplored passion.
Personally, it would have been great for me to enter my schooling as undeclared with an open mind. I picked my first major predominantly because of the money I could make, and the few facts I knew about it sounding interesting.
I find that not only colleges, but American society in general, supports always knowing where we are meant to be going, and this is preposterous considering what age and experience level students typically apply for colleges. Eighteen-years-old is not a point of knowing the nuances of where one should be, but a time to explore different interests and fields.
Generally, these required classes take roughly three semesters to fully complete, and they do not have to go to waste. Instead of thinking of them being ridiculously imposed qualifications for you to earn your degree in whatever major, it might be easier for an undeclared major to consider them as a time in which it is encouraged to explore what one does really love or hate.
To your younger family member, friend or other individual you know entering college in the future, it might be best to spread this message. You might very well save yourself a considerable amount of time with being openly available rather than being closed off from the beginning.
