When Things Go Wrong: 8 Signs You're Enrolled in the Wrong Major

You might have talked to different people and did a lot of research before deciding which degree to pursue, but no matter how attentive to details you might have been when picking out a major, once you enter college and studies begin in full swing, you will find yourself doing some major soul-searching (pun intended).

Given the hectic class schedules, a ton of assignments, studying for tests, and fast-approaching deadlines, it is not unusual for college students to fall into anxiety and depression.

Be it getting a bad grade on the test, always being bored in class, or facing various other problems in college, many students start wondering whether they will be able to make it to the finish line or if they are running on the wrong path, to begin with.

If you have found yourself thinking along the same lines lately, watch out for the following red flags. If most of these scenarios hit home, then it’s a clear warning sign that you are enrolled in the wrong major and switching the course of study will probably be a smart move.

Signs You Are Enrolled in the Wrong Major

• You Skip Classes More Often That You Attend Them

Skipping a class or two once in a while to catch up on assignments or even just on proper sleep is not that big of a deal. Every student is guilty of doing this at some point or another. But if you bunk classes every other day or so frequently that you don’t even remember the last time you actually attended one, this is a clear indication that you aren’t interested in the subject at all.

• You Have Trouble Staying Focused

You might be attending your major classes regularly, but do you listen to the lecture attentively or half-heartedly? If you are easily distracted during class or if the professor’s words seem to simply whiz past your despite your best efforts to understand them (and if this is your usual experience), then know that it symbolizes a bigger problem than having a short concentration span.

• You Tend to Procrastinate (and Fail to Meet Deadlines)

Most students tend to procrastinate, but if you put off almost everything related to your major coursework until later and then have trouble completing it on time, this indicates that the subject probably just isn’t that important to you.

• You Are Not Sure Why You Chose Your Major

Some students, fortunately, know what they’re passionate about from an early age and pursue a degree that’s consistent with their goals and aspirations, whereas others tend to follow their hearts and discover their passion along the way. However, if you cannot justify why you chose your major or if you selected it for reasons like "it will help me secure a well-paying job," "my best friend is taking it," or simply because it seemed like the "easiest" option, then it’s time to revisit your priorities.

• You Are No Longer as Self-Motivated as You Used to Be

Are you surprised at your own abilities when you look back at the work ethic and self-study schedule that you used to follow so religiously back in school? If you no longer have the self-motivation that helped you to get this far, then it’s probably because you have set the wrong goals for yourself.

• You Enjoy Electives More Than the Compulsory Courses

If your enthusiasm towards the elective courses is far greater than your energy level for studying for the compulsory courses, then the answer is already right in front of you.

• You Dread Reading Books

You might be one of those students who pride themselves on acing classes only by studying lecture notes. If that works for you, that’s great news—but only for passing classes! Students who are serious about the degree program they have chosen and are keen to build a career based on it are avid readers of relevant textbooks as well as other coursework related material.

• You Don’t Envision Working in the Same Field

Regardless of which college you go to or what major you pursue, your college is likely to have a job placement program to help students find the right employment. Have you tried to avail of this opportunity or do you tend to avoid it? One of the most obvious signs that you are enrolled in the wrong major is that you are reluctant to search for relevant jobs because you don’t picture yourself pursuing a career in the field that you’ve chosen.

What to Do if You Are in the Wrong Major

According to IstoriaJewellers.com research, more than 25% of freshmen drop out of their majors by January or are planning to do so by the time summer arrives. In fact, November 12 has actually been labeled as the ‘University Defection Day’ because it is the time when most first-year students are likely to leave their majors.

If the above telltale signs of pursuing the wrong major resonate with you, then here’s what you need to do.

First, take a step back to reassess things. Having an extremely tough time at college does not necessarily stem from being in the wrong major. It might be general exhaustion, homesickness or the likes. So, hold on 'til the holidays arrive and you get a break from all the busy routine. If you still dread to visit college after a relaxing break, then go on to change your major.

However, if you have mixed feelings and are unsure if switching majors is the best option or not or if you are unable to change courses due to any reason, there’s no need to panic.

Having the right college major is an important thing, but know that it doesn’t define you as a person. Many people all across the world don’t pursue the intended career path anyway. Learn the most that you can from your coursework, professors as well as classmates and meanwhile, search for electives or internships that are more in line with what you are really interested in. Try networking in other fields to gain insight from graduates and professionals who might have experienced a similar problem but rose above it nonetheless.