There’s nothing wrong with changing your study path, especially if you’ve already started and are getting signs that it’s not for you. If you’re considering changing a course, unit or module at varsity, here are 5 things you should consider first.
Why you’d like to change
The first important question to ask yourself is why you’d like to change your course. There are many reasons you’d want to do this, but a few common ones may be that you find the subject uninteresting, too difficult or it doesn’t really fit in with the career path you’d like to take after graduating. Whatever your reasons are, reflecting on them will give you a chance to look at the situation clearly. You may find that some of your issues with the course are in your control, while others aren’t. Make a note of this and see where and what you can adjust.
What options you have
Your next step should be to look at your options, and weigh the pros and cons of each. Think about how changing your course can impact your studies (in the good as well as the bad ways if there are any). Chat to your lecturer or even your campus counsellor about your options as well- they may have some great advice you haven’t heard yet.
What you’d like to change to
Once you’ve decided that you do want to make the change, it’s time to choose which subject you’ll be changing to. You may already have a few ideas, which you can narrow down by weighing each subject according to your current skills and interests, as well as whether it’ll be useful in your career path. If you’re still a bit unclear on which career you’d like to go into, take our free Career Interest Test for some insight.
Your game plan
Changing from one subject to another at varsity isn’t always easy. Depending on how much of the new subject you’ve missed out on, you may need to write a supplementary exam, or complete some sort of portfolio in order to be accepted. In addition, you’ll probably need to fill and hand in various documents to facilitate the change as well. Once you’ve found out what the process is, create a schedule for yourself to make sure you have enough time to complete everything you need to.
Managing expectations
Whenever you change a course at varsity, it’s important to manage your expectations and remember that while a change can be beneficial, it isn’t guaranteed to make your varsity life easier. No course is perfect, so even though the one you’re changing to may be better for you, there will always be challenges to overcome and things to adjust to.
Change can be good, and if you feel like it’s time for a change in your varsity subjects, that’s totally fine. With a bit of planning, you can make sure that you’re taking the right step for your future. Good luck!
