Exploratory: Meet the Majors
Welcome back to our Meet the Majors series! In this post, we talk about what it’s like to be exploratory, what would make someone want to choose this path, and how to beat the stigma around not having it all figured out when you first start college.
If I have learned one thing from talking to students about their aspirations after college, it’s this: very few people actually know what they want for the future when they start college, and many still don’t know by the time they graduate. So don’t feel bad if you don’t know yet either.
Exploratory is an option for students in their first three semesters at UF. It allows you to take a wide variety of classes as you figure out what degree you want to pursue. This classification also connects you with advisors who help you navigate and learn about the degree options you have at UF.
For this article, I interviewed my sister, who is in her second semester at UF and is exploratory.
What made you choose the exploratory track?
Well, for one, I have commitment issues. I find the idea of choosing what to do with my life pretty overwhelming, and the exploratory track offered me the option to wait and make a more informed decision. In the end, I know that someone’s major isn’t always even what they end up getting a job in, so I am trying to remind myself that what I choose doesn’t have to limit me. I really just want to find a topic that I will enjoy learning about and that will give me the skills I need to be able to get a job when I graduate.
What does your class schedule look like as an exploratory major?
I wouldn’t say it is any more or less work than it is for people who have a specified major since I am still taking challenging classes. The difference is that I have more freedom to choose what those classes are. I would also say because I haven’t chosen one field of study yet, I have more variety throughout the day. For example, this semester I am taking two communications classes, a math class, and a geology class.
I like the variety I have in my classes because it makes the classes feel less monotonous and more well-rounded.
What is something that has surprised you as an exploratory major?
I have a lot more freedom choosing my classes than I expected. It can be a bit overwhelming how many options there actually are at UF. That’s why the advisors are so necessary for the exploratory track. Because without them it would be really difficult to navigate all of the different choices.
For example, my advisor asked me to make a list of the majors I was considering and then a list of my actual interests. When we compared the lists, I realized I was considering majors that did not overlap with my actual interests at all. The exercise made me rethink what I should be looking for in my future major, and my advisor recommended some majors that had more to do with my interests. The exploratory advising has been extremely helpful in figuring all this out.
Have you had any challenges as an exploratory major?
Like I said, having so many choices can be pretty overwhelming. In some ways, the freedom to choose makes choosing classes more stressful. I have thousands of classes to choose from and am always worried I am not going to find classes that I will actually like. Again, the advisors make this a lot easier.
Also, even though I know I am still on track to graduate, sometimes it feels like I’ve fallen behind people that already have a major. But I know that, like me, a lot of people have no idea what they want to do, even if they have a declared major. That’s what helps me through the insecurity that comes with not knowing yet.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of being an exploratory major?
Just do it. If you have no idea what major you want, you should definitely consider the exploratory option. Like I said, the choices and freedom can be overwhelming, but I try to remember that I am really not behind at all. More than half of students change their major at least once during their undergrad years. I have a few friends who chose a major randomly because they weren’t sure what they wanted, and they are already thinking of changing their major. We are all trying to figure out what we want to do, and I feel like my way lets me actually explore and experiment along the way.
Is being exploratory financially smart?
I feel comfortable taking this time to explore my options for a couple of reasons. One is that I came to UF with a lot of credits from dual enrollment. Another is that I have the Bright Futures scholarship, which pays for 4 years of tuition and fees. I think that if I had come in with fewer credits and /or if I had to pay out of pocket for my tuition, I would have felt less comfortable choosing to be exploratory.
If that’s your case, you can still use some of the free exercises that they have on their website, and you can meet with an advisor to talk about financial aid options you could pursue if you want to be exploratory.
Before you go
If you want more info on the exploratory option, you should go to UF’s exploratory website. They have an FAQ section, a timeline you can look at, and some helpful resources that may help you figure out if exploratory is right for you.
Leave a comment if you have any questions or personal experiences you’d like to share! Also, let us know what major you’d like us to cover next.
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