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by Vicki Nelson

Many students (some say as many as 50%) enter college undecided about their major.

Many students who enter college as undecided experience stress and anxiety about declaring a major and/or finding a career.

Many students who enter college declaring a major are really undecided but have made a choice because they feel pressured.

Many parents of undecided students worry that their student lacks direction and will not find a meaningful career.

Many students, and their parents/family members, are anxious about this seemingly indecisive status.

Who are these undecided students?

At a time when so many students, and their families, say that the reason to attend college is to get a good job and have a good career, it may seem surprising that so many students are not on a “career track” immediately.

Some students may be unwilling, unable, or unready to make a choice of an area of study at the point when they enter college. If your student is currently undecided, it is important to recognize that unwilling, unable and unready are significantly different characteristics. Your student may make a decision to wait to commit to a particular major, may be unable to decide between options, or may not yet feel that he is able to make any decision at all.

Perhaps simply changing the mindset from the more negative undecided or undeclared to open or exploring may help relieve some of the anxiety your student feels and may help them embrace, at least for a time, this exploring status. If they can see this as an opportunity, rather than a problem, your student will keep many doors open as they gather information during their first year of college

You can help your student as they move toward making this important decision. Try to understand why your student is undecided and reassure them that beginning their college career as an undeclared major may be just fine. If it is the policy of your student’s school that they must declare a major when they enter, then you might remind them that they may change their mind as they learn more about both their intended major and themself. They will not be alone.

Why is your student undecided?

There are several reasons why your college student may be undecided about a major as they begin college.

• They may lack information about themself, possible majors, or possible careers. They may need to spend some time in college learning more about all of these areas.
• They may not be comfortable yet with the decision-making process. They may not know or understand yet what is involved in choosing an area of study.
• They may be conflicted. There may be a conflict between their interests and their ability. There may be a conflict between their goals and their values. There may be a conflict between their goals and others’ expectations.
• They may be afraid to commit.
• They may feel that there is “no rush” and want to take more time to explore.
• They may equate a major with a career. Remind them that one major might lead to many possible careers and one career might be approached through several possible majors.
• They may be apathetic about the college experience.

Consider which of the following statements sounds as though it could be made by your student.

• “I have no idea what I want to do.”
• “I’m interested in everything and I can’t narrow it down.”
• “I have some idea of what I’m interested in, but I’m not sure.”
• “I want to do X but everyone expects me to do Y.”

Once you begin to understand some of the reasons behind your student’s indecision, you can begin to talk to them about their interests, fears, uncertainties, and dreams. Together you can discuss possible ways to begin defining some goals.

Help them to debunk some myths.

• Myth #1 – “I’ll just figure it out eventually.” – Just waiting and hoping will not necessarily help your student explore. They will need to do some work to find their path.
• Myth #2 – “I’m the only one who doesn’t have a plan.” – Your student may feel that they are the only one who has not chosen a major. The reality is that at many colleges more students enter as undeclared students than anything else.
• Myth #3 – “Once I’ve chosen a major, I won’t be able to change.” – Some majors are easier to change than others, but no student should continue in a major that they don’t feel is the right fit. If your student feels that a major is not working for them, they should talk to their academic advisor or a trusted professor. Obviously, the earlier this conversation can happen, the easier it will be. Sometimes a change may require an extra course or two, a summer class, or even an extra semester, but changes of major are possible and are often the very best choice for a student.
• Myth #4 – “When I choose a major I’ll have chosen a career for my entire life.” – This myth is a two-fold concern. Help your student understand that a major is an area of study, a subject that they enjoy, not necessarily a career choice. That major may lead to a specific career, but it may not. Remind your student, too, that most people today change jobs and even career paths several times throughout their lives. They can expect to make changes in direction as they move through the workplace and discover new options, new interests, and new skills.

Be there.

• Encourage your student as they struggle with this decision. It is an important choice and for many students a difficult decision. Be the sounding board they may need.
• Don’t pressure them to make a decision sooner than they need to. With the exception of some specialized majors, students often don’t need to declare a major sooner than the end of their first or second year.
• Try to help your student identify the “real” issue behind their indecision. Are they unwilling, unready, or unable?
• Help your student develop a plan of action for exploring options.
• Encourage your student to explore any career information available on campus. Most colleges have a career office to help students gather information and do some self-exploration. Colleges often sponsor career fairs or career exploration events.
• Help your student understand and integrate any information they gather.
• Encourage your student to participate in co-curricular activities on campus. Joining clubs or organizations will not only help them to gather information, but it will also allow them to spend time with students with similar interests.
• Help your student to clarify their values and goals.
• Suggest that your student conduct some informational interviews with people they know in various fields. They can ask what they do, why they love what they do, and what they recommend as the path to that career.
• Reassure your student that they will find a path. Encourage them to have patience and to trust the process.

Ask questions.

Don’t ask every question you can think of, and don’t ask questions all at once, but asking a few questions might help your student think about their interests and goals.

• What majors are you considering? Why are you considering those? What do people do with those majors?
• What are your favorite classes? Why?
• What outside activities do you enjoy?
• If you had a spare hour, what would you like to do? What would you pick up to read?
• What do you see as your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
• Where do you picture yourself 5 years from now? Ten years? What environment would you see yourself in?
• What resources are available at school to help you consider your options?
• What are you doing to work on deciding about a major?
• How can I help?

This is a big decision for your student. It may be difficult for you to step back and allow your student to struggle with it.

Reassure them that you understand how difficult this decision may be. Reassure them that with time they will find an answer. Encourage them to take some action to explore – both themself and the options available. Be honest with them if they ask your opinion, but remind them that this must be their decision.

And then try to enjoy the process of watching them discover their place in the world.