Any academic decision you face—choosing a major, dropping or adding a course, changing campuses—is made up of three stages:
- Reflecting on your interests, goals, and experiences.
- Consulting experts and outside resources for more information.
- Deciding on a course of action.
Everyone enters this process at a different stage.
If you're unsure of who you are, your talents, passions, and abilities, you are most likely in the reflect stage. Sometimes reflection leads directly to a decision. Other times, it leads you to consult with others.
If you have a direction in mind but haven't spoken to anyone else or gotten any information, you are most likely in the consult stage. Sometimes the information you receive leads you to reflect again on your path. Other times, the information confirms a decision.
If you have made up your mind about something, you are likely in the decide stage. If you have never reflected on this decision, now is a good time to do so! Also, once you have made your decision, you might want to consult experts for more information about how to be successful.
Whatever stage you are in, start with that module. See where your self-exploration takes you!