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Choosing a major or minor is one of the big decisions undergraduate students face at U-M, and it’s understandable why it can feel overwhelming. While some students have clear paths in mind, others may feel conflicted with the wide variety of options offered. The weight of this decision can feel significant, but at U-M there is flexibility to explore academic interests at your own pace. For example, in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), students are encouraged to declare a major by the first semester of their junior year, providing more time for students who want to feel confident in their choice prior to declaring.

For anyone struggling with what their path should be, here are several tips and strategies to make the exploration process a bit easier.

Utilize Your Distribution Requirements

In the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, it is required that students take credits in social science, humanities, and natural sciences in order to graduate. These credits are an excellent way to explore your different interests while still completing graduation requirements. You may initially expect to major in a natural science major like environmental science or biology and find yourself more interested in psychology or another area of interest instead. This is an easy way in your first couple of years to get an idea of what you like and what you don’t.

Major and Minor Exploration Events

Every March, the Newnan Academic Advising Center hosts their annual Major and Minor Expo, which introduces students to opportunities within departments across the university. With advisors, faculty, and students available to discuss programs within and outside of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, you’re certain to get some questions answered and find some areas of interest. This event is also an excellent opportunity to gather information about research, internships, study abroad, and professional opportunities, all of which may shape what you want to pursue academically.

Explore Selective Majors and Minors

Along with our majors and minors that solely require prerequisite courses, we also have some schools/programs that require students to apply after starting at U-M. Examples include the School of Public Health, the Ford School of Public Policy, and majors such as organizational studies and politics, philosophy, and economics (PPE) within LSA. While these programs do have additional prerequisites that you need prior to applying, these options provide a unique academic experience beyond our 70+ majors and 100+ minors available at LSA. Cohorts within these programs are typically much smaller and can range anywhere between 50-110 students depending on the program. This makes the academic experience much more intimate than our larger majors that hundreds of students may study at a given time. If this resonates with you, these programs are certainly worth considering.

Talk to Current Students in Different Majors

Though it may seem obvious, discussing your interests with students across different majors and minors can be one of the best ways to figure out the right path for you. With tens of thousands of students at U-M, the diversity of perspectives and experiences on campus can open your mind to opportunities you may not have considered. This is especially true when it comes to the specific challenges that each program requires. While some majors consist of multiple choice exams, others may be very writing heavy or involve group projects. Understanding the workload you want to take on throughout your undergraduate years will allow you to curate a course load that makes sense for you. Other students’ insights may lead you to understand how different areas of study may intersect in new ways. For instance, many students take second languages in addition to another area of study to aid their future employer in ways that you may not initially think of. Each of these perspectives is equally important and valuable in discovering your own path and should be utilized to the fullest extent.

In Conclusion

Discovering the right major or minor is a journey that goes beyond selecting your field of study. It’s about exploring your passions, interests, and long-term career goals. While it may seem as though confidence in this area is hard to achieve, U-M has the resources to help. Your exploration can help you make informed decisions that will lead you to a rewarding career. Remember, everyone’s process is different so stay open-minded and take it one step at a time.