Victoria Scibilia
Former Contributing Editor
CollegeXpress
The most common question you'll be asked during your college education is “What is your major?” If you're a student with an undecided major, it's important to know you're not alone. If you go into your first year of college not knowing what path you want to take, it's completely acceptable to transfer to another school to see what they have to offer. Maybe your current school doesn't have the options you're looking for, and it's okay to look elsewhere.
College is filled with new opportunities that allow you to get a feel for a variety of interests. It may seem like a waste of time and money to transfer undecided about your major, and it's only natural to be a little hesitant. However, colleges usually have a general elective requirement, which encourages you to explore new classes you wouldn’t have picked otherwise. You never know—you could enjoy an astronomy class or develop a liking for ancient history. With the endless choices at some colleges, you should be able to find an area that you want to dive into, even as a transfer student.
Also, keep in mind that your major doesn’t necessarily determine your career. It may lead you in the right direction of a job choice, but that doesn’t have to be the rest of your life. Many people find their passion years after college by using the skills they acquired with their degree as a stepping stone but find themselves at a job that isn’t directly related to their major. If you are someone with many interests, you could choose a broad major with multiple career paths, such as business. This way, you're not strapped down to just one profession if you change your mind—or your school—halfway through your education.
In the end, it's not a bad decision to transfer schools with an undecided major. You may want to limit yourself though; transferring too many times or without proper research can lead to extra requirements and postpone your graduation. You should do the best you can to explore all your options throughout your college education, and if your current school just doesn’t have what you are looking for, it is okay to look for a change in scenery.