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Major insights: Free tools, tips and quizzes to help you decide

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Choosing a major can often feel like an overwhelming decision. There are numerous options available and figuring out who you are and what aligns with your interests, values and skills takes time. Remember, it’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your major or change your mind later. You can also seek extra support in making this decision at any time.ÌýÌý

Here are tips and free resources Career Services and other departments offer to help guide you in your search for a major or academic program.Ìý

Expand your self-awarenessÌý

Think about your current classes at CU Boulder as well as high school classes to determine the subject areas you enjoy most and least. Consider these questions:

  • What subjects interest you most? For example, do you enjoy solving math problems or learning about history?Ìý
  • What are you good at academically? For example, are you skilled at analyzing data, conducting science experiments or writing essays?
  • What causes or ideas excite you? For example, are you passionate about social justice, environmental advocacy or technology?
  • What are the subjects you enjoy discussing with friends or family?
  • What classes or activities feel too hard or boring?

By exploring the study areas and activities you love or dislike, you can rule out certain majors and focus on those that fit your preferences.

  • is a simple self-reflection tool that helps clarify your values and highlight what’s most important to you.
  • SparkPath Challenge Cards can help you identify the problem(s) you’re motivated to solve.Ìý

Explore majors and careers

Your choice of major doesn’t have to dictate your future career—some align closely with specific paths, while others provide broader skills that are applicable across various fields.Ìý

It can be helpful to see how different majors relate to certain careers. These tools can help you explore based on your goals and abilities:

  • Check out What Can I Do with This Major? to see if there are any careers that interest you associated with majors you might be thinking about. The website will guide you through 96 of the most common majors and typical career areas for each.
  • Try the Majors Card Sort, a free online tool that can help you identify the top CU Boulder majors that align with your goals.
  • Browse the Programs from a Different Lens webpage to explore more programs that have the same key features as the majors that interest you. Find information on course topics, learning outcomes and how classes are taught.
  • Schedule informational interviews with professionals in your fields of interest. You can ask about their academic journey to learn how it influenced them professionally. Connect with other students in the majors you’re considering as well to understand what their experience has been like.Ìý

Research and engage

Once you home in on a few study areas, research those majors to determine whether they are a good fit using these available tools:Ìý

  • Degree audits: Find out the required courses and credit hours needed to graduate. Department websites and the can provide additional information.
  • Academic advisors: If you’re not in a rush to declare, take a class or two in a major you’re interested in, and consult with an advisor from that area of study for course recommendations. You can also ask questions about the major to determine if it matches your interests and goals. Use advising drop-in hours or make an appointment.ÌýÌý
  • Ralphie’s Advising Help Lab: While this doesn’t replace appointments, Ralphie’s Advising Help Lab is a supplemental resource that allows you to access general advising or enrollment help quickly. Get assistance with dropping courses, switching majors and answering other advising questions.
  • Handshake: Pursuing an on-campus job is a great way to discover new passions while gaining professional experience. Use Handshake to search for available student positions.Ìý
  • BuffConnect: Discover student organizations that sound interesting to you and explore topics that are appealing to you.
  • CUServes: Volunteer locally to find new areas of interest and passion.ÌýÌý

Stay positiveÌý

Choosing a major is a journey, not a race. If you’re ready to decide, that’s great. If not, that’s perfectly fine. Keep a positive outlook, try a few of these tips, have fun exploring and meet with a member of the career team to review your reflections and identify next steps together. For more information, check out Find a Major from Career Services.Ìý

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