50-75% of students change their major at least once before graduation

Reasons for changing major

Lack of information

• Limited number of subject areas in high school
• Students are knowledgeable about a small number of occupations
• Lack information about the major and career decision-making process
• Key component is self-information
• Decision making styles: spontaneous vs. systemic decisions makers

Outside influence

• Their original choice was not their own (parents, friends, family)
• Doing what others recommend is easier than taking the time to engage in the exploration process

Academic Difficulties

• Poor academic preparation or unrealistic determination of abilities
• Unaware that college coursework requires a higher level of skills and abilities

Students who were academically unprepared for original choice:

• Acknowledge that the student has lost something. 
• Assist students in reassessing their initial choice and help to establish a link between the first choice and a future choice. 
  • Explore the motivation for the initial choice and introduce the idea that there are other options. 
• Move forward.  Help student analyze their current academic situation and establish a new plan.
  • Review academic record and have them discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Refer to resources; help student integrate self, major, and career information and implement new choice.
    

Reference
Adapted from Steele, G.E. & McDonald, M.L. (2000). Advising Students in Transition.  In Gordon, V.N., & Habley, W.R. (Eds.) Academic Advising: A Comprehensive Handbook. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, Inc., 149-152