How to Choose a College Major if You’re Undecided

You’re heading into freshman year, and all summer you’ve been pushing aside that mix of excitement and underlying panic with beach trips, late-night drives, and laughs with friends. I totally get it. Then someone hits you with the dreaded question: “So… what’s your major?” Cue that all too familiar pit in your stomach.

Here’s the truth: feeling unsure is completely normal, and you’re definitely not the only one. In this post, I’ll walk you through a simple, realistic 3-step process for how to choose a college major when you’re undecided:

• Self-discovery
  • Exploration
  • Support

By the end, you’ll have practical tips and ideas for undecided college students to find a direction that fits you, not what everyone else thinks you should do.

TL;DR: Undecided on Your College Major? Read This First

If you’re undecided on your college major, start by identifying what genuinely interests you (not what sounds impressive). Use Gen Ed classes, clubs, and campus resources to explore different fields without pressure. Then lean on support—academic advisors, upperclassmen, and informational interviews (like those on getCAREERcurious)—to make a low-risk decision that keeps your options open. Your first major isn’t permanent, it’s just a starting point.

You’re Undecided. Cool. Here’s What to Do (Without Spiraling)

Quick pep talk: it’s incredibly common to start college without a declared major. The goal isn’t to have everything figured out, it’s to make intentional progress. That starts with self-discovery, exploration, and support.

Try your best to avoid random guessing or spiraling through endless Reddit threads. Instead, follow this simple 3-step process to gain clarity and move forward confidently. The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out at once.

Step 1: Figure Out What Actually Interests You (Not What Sounds Impressive)

Before you can choose a college major, you need to understand what actually interests you. Start by reflecting on classes, topics, or projects you enjoyed in high school. Keep a quick note on your phone or in a small journal where you jot down subjects you could talk about for hours.

If nothing comes to mind right away, that’s okay. Think about what you want to be interested in, even if it’s just a hunch. You can also take free online career quizzes for college students to spark ideas. These tools often suggest career paths or majors you may not have considered yet, like event planning, digital marketing, or data analytics.

Tip: Don’t stress about job titles yet. Focus on what energizes you and makes you feel curious or excited.

Step 2: Try Majors On Like Jeans (No Commitment Required)

Once you have a few interests in mind, it’s time to explore—without committing too early. Use your Gen Ed courses strategically and see them as low-stakes experiments. For example, I had a small interest in Communications, so I enrolled in a general communications class my first semester just to see if it clicked.

Talk to professors and upperclassmen—they’ve already walked this road and can give honest insight into majors and career paths. Visit your college career center early, even as a freshman. Many centers offer career assessments, informational interviews, shadowing opportunities, or short-term internships.

Join clubs, attend campus events, or sit in on guest lectures. Real experiences give you far more clarity than Googling “best college majors” and ending up in a Reddit rabbit hole.

Keep a running list of majors, classes, and activities you’ve tried. Rate each one based on your interest and enjoyment level. Patterns will start to emerge between what excites you and what feels like a chore that ends up shoved to the side of your bed while you scroll TikTok. (Been there.)

Step 3: Steal Clarity From People Who’ve Been There (Then Pick a Safe Bet)

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Once you’ve reflected and explored, bring your thoughts to people who can help you connect the dots. Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to talk through your interests, Gen Ed experiences, and majors that stood out. Their job is to help you turn uncertainty into a realistic plan.

It also helps to hear directly from people working in fields you’re curious about. That’s where getCAREERcurious on YouTube comes in. Our channel features a growing library of informational interviews with professionals who share what their jobs are really like, how they chose their majors, and what they’d do differently. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to explore careers without committing to anything.

After gathering support and insight, make a low-risk choice. Choose a major or pathway that keeps options open and allows room to pivot later. You’re not choosing your forever—you’re choosing your next step.

The Biggest Mistakes Undecided College Students Make (Don’t Be This Person)

Before rushing into a decision, it helps to know what to avoid:

1. Picking a major just to have an answer. This often leads to switching later.
2. Ignoring campus resources. Career centers, advisors, and Gen Ed classes are there to help—but only if you use them.
3. Thinking your first choice is permanent. Most students change majors. This is a starting point, not a life sentence.

A lot of pressure comes from comparison or family expectations. Taking time to explore isn’t wasted time—it’s building a stronger foundation for your future.

Let’s Kill the Myth: Your College Major Is Not a Life Sentence

There’s so much pressure to “get it right,” but here’s the reality:

• Your major doesn’t lock you into one career path.
  • Choosing early isn’t about perfection—it’s about flexibility.
  • Even if you switch later, your Gen Ed classes and skills still count.

Employers care more about skills, experience, and curiosity than the exact title of your degree.

So… How Do You Actually Choose a College Major?

After reflecting and exploring, it’s time to choose what feels right right now. This isn’t a lifelong contract. In fact, 75–80% of college students change their major before graduation.

Look for overlap between your interests and broad majors like business, psychology, or communications. Then book a meeting with your academic advisor to map out a degree plan.

Pro tip: Bring your list of interests, classes you’ve tried, and notes from clubs or events. It keeps the conversation focused and productive.

Confession: I Was Undecided Too (And It Worked Out)

I started college as an undecided major at UCCS, and honestly, I felt ashamed. Every time someone asked, “What’s your major?” I scrambled for an explanation. I even stretched the truth on career quizzes because deep down, I wanted someone else to decide for me.

But no one could—and that’s actually empowering.

It wasn’t until junior year that I realized I loved marketing. I was already a communications major, but I loved the creative and business sides marketing brought out in me. I even took an extra semester to complete a marketing minor. While I’m proud of that, I could’ve started earlier if I’d leaned into exploration instead of avoiding it.

You learn new things about yourself every year. Sometimes being 22 still feels like being 17—unsure, awkward, and anxious about the future. But you’re not alone. Your university has resources, and so does Get Career Curious.

Final Permission Slip: You Don’t Have to Have This Figured Out

Choosing a college major doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with self-discovery, actively explore, and lean on support systems. Your first choice isn’t final—it’s just a starting point.

Next step: Book a meeting with your academic advisor this week or join a club in a field you’re curious about. Small actions now can shape your path in big ways later.

FAQs for Undecided College Students (Yes, These Are Normal Questions)

Is it bad to start college undecided?
Not at all. Many students start undecided, and most change majors at least once.

When do I have to declare a major?
This depends on your university, but many schools allow you to wait until the end of sophomore year.

What if I choose the wrong major?
There’s no single “right” major. You can change, pivot, or add minors as you learn more.

Do employers care about my major?
Some fields do, but many care more about skills, experience, and internships.

How can I explore careers without committing?
Use Gen Ed classes, clubs, internships, career centers, and informational interviews—like those on getCAREERcurious.

Want Help Figuring This Out Without Losing Your Mind?

Ready to keep exploring? Join the Get Career Curious community and check out our podcast episodes and YouTube channel, where students and professionals share how they chose (and sometimes changed) their majors. You don’t have to have it all figured out—you just have to stay curious.

Written by:

Ashley Kulbacki, Recent UCCS Grad