By Deana Lesher
“What do you want to major in?” This simple question is often repeated in the span of a few, short months in your senior year of high school. For some students, it’s a quick answer, but for others it’s thought provoking. While some supporters believe it’s okay not to know what you want to do with the rest of your life at 18, others feel very different. Why is that?
Well, our Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Nickala Hagarty, might have an idea. “This idea of what if I pay or whoever pays for you to go to college. Then you go and get a degree you don’t really want.” Many feel as though a degree will “waste money” and you won’t get the actual degree you need.
I view this as one of the main reasons why choosing to be undecided is so misunderstood. Most first year students feel as though making decisions is very intimidating, especially when trying to figure out not only a major but also an institution that will fit with what they are looking for in a college experience.
Another important thing to note is high school classes. “I think some high schools don’t have access to elective based courses, or potential AP or dual enrollment, so it gives them so much more flexibility in college,” comments Nickala.
As a student who has come from a small school that has little AP and Dual enrollment options, I find it challenging to actually know what I want to pursue. Even though I am a declared student, I still find myself wondering if this is truly what I am looking for.
Now if you are here for some advice, Matt Duperon, our Associate Professor of Religious Studies and coordinator of the first-year seminar program, is here to help. “The open secret is that it doesn’t really matter what you major in. What matters is what you do with your time.” I personally think this is a great piece of advice for any college student. No matter your major, you should just live your life how you want to. Just because you are undecided does not mean you are going to fail or not be as successful as classmates with declared majors. Undecided just means you are taking more time to truly figure out what you want to spend your time on.
Some know exactly what they want to do as soon as high school, but others tak years to figure it out. Whether you know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life or are in the process of figuring it out, you belong here at Susquehanna.