“What if I change my mind?” is a common fear that shadows students when deciding on their university, programme, and major. It’s difficult enough to choose what to study for the next three to four years, let alone account for changes in one’s interests or aspirations over time, and not to mention the unexpected.
The truth is: It is perfectly normal to change your mind. In fact, universities are well prepared for it. Most universities offer undergraduates the option to transfer courses, switch majors, and even explore multidisciplinary studies. They also provide dedicated application services and advisory to guide students through these transitions. But of course, such flexibility come with a defined set of rules and requirements that vary by university and courses—to ensure students make thoughtful decisions and avoid frequent changes that might disrupt their academic journey.
If you’re considering such changes at university, here are some tips to help you navigate the process. For those still deciding on their university course choices, this can guide you in making a more informed decision and preparing for the possibility of change in the future.
Reflect on Your Reason for Change
Dive deep into what’s motivating your desire to change. Is it a lack of interest in your current course or a new passion you want to explore? Or are external factors such as demanding coursework or peer pressure playing a role? It is important to identify whether your decision is driven by a deeper aspiration or if you’re simply responding to temporary frustrations. If it’s the latter, know that such frustrations are bound to arise in any path you choose. Reminder: Following your passion isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path.
Learn From Your First Decision
(And All Your Prior Ones)
The change process can be draining. To avoid regretting your decision again, reflect on what made you choose your current course or major. Was it the prestige, which you no longer find appealing? Did you misjudge the career opportunities it promised? Or were you trying to fulfil someone else’s expectations? Understanding what drove your initial decision can help you avoid repeating those mistakes and ensure your next choice aligns with what you truly want.
Know Your New Mission
Before taking the plunge, do you really know what you’re getting into? Research your desired programme thoroughly. Speak with students currently enrolled and reach out to course professors, including graduates and professionals in the field. Consider attending a few lectures or taking introductory courses to gauge if you have the capability and perseverance to see through this new mission for the next few years.
Know the Implications
Be sure to find out if your decision to change a course or major would impact your graduation timeline. Would you need to stay an extra semester or two, and would that matter to you? Then comes the financial side of things. Are you on a scholarship tied to a specific programme?
If you’re currently on a financial aid package or tuition grant, will the fee subsidies continue to cover your new course? Be aware that tuition fees may have increased from the year you were admitted, so be sure you can afford it. And read up on whether the credits you have previously obtained can continue to count toward your GPA.
Have You Discussed This With Anyone?
Sometimes, verbalising your thoughts can help clarify whether your decision feels right. While the final choice is yours, gaining an outsider’s perspective can help. Share your plans with trusted friends, family, or mentors for their insights. There are also career counsellors or advisors in every university who can help you assess how your decision might affect your academic path.
Follow Your Heart, Use Your Head, Trust Your Gut
To change or not to change. As cliché as it sounds: Let the heart encourage you to take risks and follow your dreams. Let the head help you anticipate the consequences your heart might have overlooked. Trust your gut instinct, even if it’s hard to explain, but “it just feels right.” While the three might not always align, if more than one points towards change, take the leap! After all, studying something that agrees with every part of you naturally becomes less burdensome and more rewarding.
Admin Matters
It’s time to act on your decision and start the application process. Familiarise yourself with the transfer application deadlines and requirements and allocate enough time to prepare all the necessary documents. You would likely need to submit a personal statement explaining your reasons for the change, and the prior reflection and thorough research would have better prepared you for this task.
Better Earlier Than Later
University policies often favour first-year transfers. So, take year one to explore as much as possible and ideally make the change before the end of the second semester. The later you wait, the more likely you’ll feel compelled to continue just to justify the time already invested. Applying early would also increase your chances of securing limited spots in a highly competitive programme.
Other Options
Not all changes need to be 360 turnarounds. There are other options, particularly if you are undecided and still enjoy aspects of your current course or if your transfer application isn’t approved. Without leaving your current programme, you could pursue a second major or work towards a minor in that area of interest. You could also explore joining a CCA related to your desired field or taking up part-time jobs or voluntary work to help you gain valuable insights without committing to a full programme switch.
Made up Your Mind? Don’t Look Back.
Be confident in your decision, and don’t let fears of being seen as a quitter hold you back. Because you’re not quitting. You’re simply realigning. If anything, this shows wisdom and courage. You recognise the need to grow, understand what’s best for your development, and you decisively act upon it.
After all, education is about learning, and it includes learning about yourself in the process. No one has everything figured out from the start, and it’s perfectly normal to adjust your course as you discover what truly aligns with your goals and values.
More to Come: Career Change
Choose the right course in university, and your career will take care of itself—or so they say. The reality is far more complex. Who’s to say you won’t pivot to an entirely new field years into your career? Engineers are increasingly sought after in banking for their analytical and problem-solving expertise. Medical professionals are making their mark in tech startups, driving innovations in healthcare. More and more companies today are hiring from outside their industries to spark new ideas and challenge the status quo.
Gone are the days when students follow linear academic and career paths. To all you bold seekers and fearless trailblazers: It’s okay to change your mind— whether it’s about your course of study or dream job. Be your own person. Live your own life. And always keep moving forward.