Before going to college, it is important to take time and decide which option is the best choice for you and your professional goals. However, it is entirely possible to realize that you have chosen the wrong institution after it’s too late to change your mind. You made have made one of the many common mistakes anyone can make when selecting a college, or you merely misinterpreted your own passions and goals. Whatever the reason, a prepared student like yourself can become bogged down with stress and uncertainty, believing that their future is now ruined. It may be easy to jump to this conclusion, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Any mistake can be seen as a learning opportunity, become better, or experience something new. Therefore, choosing the wrong college or major doesn’t have to be a negative experience. One option you always have is to drop out of college, but that is not always the best solution. Here are some tips on what you can do if you’ve found yourself in this situation.
Keep Calm
For the majority of students, a situation in which you’ve chosen a wrong college can seem really bad. It can serve as a massive setback in one’s academic and personal life. You now have to pay and cover additional costs, fees, and accommodation for something that you no longer want to study. In such a situation, the most important thing you can do is stay calm. A calm, cool and collected mind will find its way to an appropriate solution; if you start panicking, you will only worsen the situation.
It is important to keep things in perspective and remember that the worst-case scenario simply includes you having a degree, regardless of whether you liked it or not. According to Immerse Education, it is essential to realize that going through college doesn’t equate to sprinting through the years of education. There is always plenty of time for you to rediscover yourself, and you may even start liking the major you’ve chosen. You simply have to give yourself a chance, get up, dust yourself off and try again.
Get Support
Another important thing you can do for yourself is to build a support system, because this situation is no joke. It can affect you in unexpected ways, and if there is no one around to help you out, there could be unforeseen consequences.
Make sure to isolate the main issue regarding the ‘wrong choice’ and address the problem with someone you can trust. According to Oxford Royale Academy, you can always talk to your personal tutor, or email the college department asking to help you out with the situation. Every college offers such services, in case you don’t have someone you feel like you can talk to right now. Many students aren’t even aware that they can find help in the very college they chose, so why not address the issue with someone who is prepared for these types of situations.
People are usually supportive and sympathetic, and they will try to find the best solution for your problem. Moreover, if you struggle with assignments simply because you hate what you study, you find it beneficial to get help with your homework. Simple tasks like trying to come up with a title page for a research paper can be dreadful, but you need to remember that there’s probably someone that is able to help you out.
The most important thing for you is to speak out, to make sure those people know about your problem, so you don’t have to suffer in silence. It is important to remember that colleges offer a great support system. There are systems offering counseling, career guidance, and even financial services in case you find yourself in financial difficulty.
Analyze the Situation
You may have now concluded that the major you chose is not for you. You have made sure to stay calm and collected and to look for help and support. Next, you may find it beneficial to conclude an analysis of the situation. You must take into consideration the courses, possible career choices you could choose from once you graduate, and the skills you’ll acquire during your studies. The point is to find a silver lining in the situation and make the best of it. Ensure that you remember that just because you chose the wrong major doesn’t mean that you can no longer be enthusiastic about what you’re going to learn. Consider the wrong major as a new chapter on the road to the right career; you may find that you are able to utilize your degree in some manner.
During your analysis, take into consideration the even though you now intend on declaring a different major, there may be overlap in regards to some specific modules that can be taken. For example, you now wish to declare a major in Microbiology, and you are currently studying Chemistry, there may be some courses that are required of each major. Even if you have chosen something out of touch with the thing you initially wanted to study, you can always find something that can relate or be applied to a different subject. All it takes is some will power and hard work.
If are just starting out and are about to choose the college they want to attend, we have two main tips: make sure not to rely on the popularity of the college or job prospect alone, and seek for professional help that is available at your colleges. If you end up in the wrong college or end up studying the wrong major, make sure to follow to tips above.
For more tips on all thing college, check out the other blogs on College Basics.
