Why do many students change their major?

I'm feeling a little anxious... It seems like a lot of college students end up switching their majors at some point. Why is that? Are the courses not what they expect, or do they just discover new interests? Has anyone experienced this and mind sharing?

There are a multitude of reasons why students might change their majors in college. From discovering a new field that they're passionate about, to finding their initial choice not fitting their career goals, a major change is not uncommon and certainly a normal part of the college experience.

Students, particularly freshmen, often enter college with limited exposure to the breadth and depth of study options available. It's common for a student to begin taking classes in one area, only to discover that another field is more captivating or aligns more closely with their career aspirations.

For example, a student who enters college as a Computer Science major may find that they're more interested in the ethical issues surrounding technology than in coding itself, leading them to switch to a Philosophy or Ethics Studies major.

Additionally, the actual content and workload of a major may not be what a student expected. College-level courses can often be more intense and specific than high school classes. As a result, what a student thought they knew or liked about a particular subject may change once they start learning it at a higher level, leading to a switch in major.

Lastly, internships and jobs held during college can also influence a major change. Hands-on experience in a particular field might steer a student towards a different subject.

All in all, changing a major is a personal decision that students make based on numerous factors. It's all part of the college journey, and is a testament to the growth in both personal and academic perspective that college can facilitate. Switching a major isn't a bad thing—it shows adaptability and the willingness to adjust one's path to align with evolving interests, skills, and goals.