
When exploring majors, it’s often easier to identify the subjects you DON'T want to study. This activity gives you the opportunity to remove majors in which you have no interest, allowing you to then focus only on programs that are real possibilities.
IMPORTANT: Take your time, sit down at a computer and FOCUS! This tool is most helpful when you can give it your full attention.
To get the best results, be sure to read through the phase 1 instructions and ground rules/advice below.
Take a Break!!! Give yourself a hot minute for your brain to relax so you come back and complete Phase 2 with a fresh perspective! Take a day or two and then get back to work!
Ground Rule #1: If you don’t know what something is, leave it...for now. If you don't know what a particular major is, you don't know that you don't want it! It's like saying you don't like a particular food when you've never even tried it! You will have the opportunity to learn about these majors in Elimination Phase 2.
Ground Rule #2: Don't worry about career opportunities...yet. Only think about these majors in terms of what you would be interested in studying. Don't focus on job opportunities at this point in the exercise, as this will be discussed at a later time. For example, DO NOT eliminate English if you are interested in the material but are worried about job opportunities.
Ground Rule #3: Distinguish between a potential major(s) and interests/hobbies. Not all interests have to be potential majors. Try to differentiate between what is a hobby/interest and what you ACTUALLY want to study! Maybe you enjoy working with computers, but would you actually want to study computer science and immerse yourself in the classes that come with it (calculus, physics, chemistry, etc)? Should this be a MAJOR or remain an interest/hobby/passion?
To get the best results, be sure to read through the phase 2 instructions and ground rules/advice below.
Talk with an Exploration Expert
Now that you've completed Phases 1 and 2 and narrowed your list down to a manageable size, it's time to go straight to the source: Exploration Experts! We've got current Southern students, Academic Advisors, and faculty members here to help you learn about your potential majors and assist along the home stretch of your major exploration journey!