It can be frustrating to watch your friends plot out their schedules without hesitation if you’re still searching to decide where you should even begin when it comes to choosing a major. The good news- you’re not alone. Nearly 25% of Redhawks start off not knowing what they want their major to be. While it may seem like you should already know what you want to be when you grow up, the truth is it’s okay to not know.

There are plenty of options.

Southeast is an undecided student’s dream school because of the number of programs here. Check out our programs page, and you’ll find majors you never even knew existed. See something you’re interested in? Check the degree map to see which classes you should take to test the waters or reach out to a faculty member in that program.

We have people for that.

You’re not the only Redhawk that doesn't quite know what to major in. We actually have a team dedicated to helping you decide. While no one is going to tell you which major you should pick, career counselors can help you make sense of what you’re looking for in a career and where your skills fit. Even better news: meeting with a career counselor one-on-one is 100% free. All you have to do is schedule an appointment.

Switching your major is more common than you might think.

Take comfort in the fact that nearly half of all Southeast students change their major at least once. Even students who have had their lives planned out since fifth grade sometimes find themselves switching lanes after a few classes. Luckily, declaring a major isn’t a lifelong commitment unless you want it to be.

You learn things you might otherwise not.

There’s a reason we call it “exploratory.” By not limiting yourself to only courses that fall within your degree map, you give yourself a chance to explore subjects that interest you. You may develop a skill that will set you apart from other grads in your field or you may even find your major.

You have time.

There’s no need to feel rushed into declaring a major. Most programs have a little wiggle room built in, so you can still finish your degree within four years even if you don’t know what your major is from day one.

Follow this general timeline to help you gauge where you should be when it comes to making a major decision:

• First semester: Take time to assess your skills and interests and think about how they translate to different majors/career paths.
• Second semester: Narrow down your list and dig deeper to learn more about the majors/careers you’re interested in.
• Third semester: Pinpoint a direction or major to help you decide which classes to take.

If you don’t yet have a plan for where you want to end up, focus on starting with a plan to help you make that decision. While it’s okay to not know where you’re headed yet, don’t wait too long before taking action, so you don’t delay your academic progress. Considering your options? Apply to Southeast today and see what you can do here.