If you are undeclared or still unsure about your major, don’t stress! You can still be a successful student without coming into your first year set on what you want to study.
It can be really stressful coming into your first or second year and not knowing if your major is right for you. My advice: take some time within your first couple years to explore your options through your breadth courses. I’ve known people who are set on going into the sciences or the humanities, but once they take classes in other areas of study they switch, double major, or minor in something completely different.
Switching Majors
My freshman roommate (still one of my closest friends) came in as a Psychology major, switched to Pre-Business towards the middle of her first year, and switched over to a Sociology major at the end of her second year (AND she’s graduating a year early. My boyfriend came in as a Pre-Business major, switched to Philosophy in his first year, finished his degree requirements early and is now studying Pre-Med while also being able to have a Philosophy degree by the time he graduates from UCR. Depending on the classes you take and the people you meet, you’ll be exposed to so many different areas of study that you can be interested in. And as you spend more time at UCR, don’t worry if your area of interest or direction changes, as long as you’re using the first couple years to really explore your breadth classes, no matter how many times you explore other majors, you should have time within your couple years to finish all of your major classes and #FinishIn4
Double Majors and Minors
Even though I came into my freshman orientation, convinced on graduating in four years as a Studio Art major and a business minor, I am now entering my third year as a double major in Studio Art AND Media & Cultural Studies. I had heard of Media & Cultural Studies as a major but had no idea how much I would love my major until after I took two or three classes in that department. I didn't begin to understand my love for the major, its diversity, its professors, and its teachings until I let myself get out of my set mindset. Don’t forget, if you find a subject you really love, you can also declare a minor; this option requires a lot less classes but you still have an opportunity to learn within that department. Although there is overwhelming pressure to know exactly what you want to do, college is a time to for you to learn, grow, and enjoy. Once you start coming here and choosing your classes, you'll find what sticks out to you most and what makes you most excited to start your future.
Finish in 4
I strongly advise, starting with your breadth courses (our name for gen. ed) or foreign language courses to start you off in your first year or so if you are unsure about your major. If you are worried about finishing within four years, make sure you are taking at least 15 units a quarter, or 45 units a year. Although 12 units a quarter is considered full time, 15 units a quarter will insure that you will finish with the minimum of 180 units by the end of your fourth year. If you fall behind, summer school is always an option as well! So knowing you have that flexibility within your first few terms, take time to explore major, double major, or minor options while making sure you are meeting your breadth requirements. Also keep in mind, breadth requirements are different for each school of study (Pre-Business, CHASS, CNAS, BCOE), so you may have to take different breadth classes than some of your friends. You will find out more about this at your orientation, or you can click on the college above to see an updated list of courses for Fall 2017.
Take Your Time!
So don't worry if you're coming into your first or second year and are still unsure about choosing your major. You are investing time, energy, and money into your education, and you want to make sure you are learning something you are truly passionate about (and a plus, you'll probably do MUCH better in classes you actually enjoy)!
