It’s Okay to Change Your Major in College

College is all about discovering who you are, what matters to you, and charting a course for the rest of your life. As a young college student, can you really be expected to know what you want straight out of high school? Pre-requisite classes will give you a chance to dabble, explore different subjects and see what you’re drawn to.

So if you are frustrated with your grades in biology, rethinking whether $200K worth of students loans is worth the Doctor title, or wanting to choose your own profession rather than following in your father’s footsteps, know this. 60% of college students change their major before they graduate. It’s okay to switch gears and career paths. Give yourself permission to be in limbo for a while as you do some soul-searching and discover your strengths, interests, and ultimately your life course.

Here are some things you can do as you change your major to decide where to go from here.

1. Buy “Strengths Finder 2.0″ This book, recommended by career coach Jennifer Armitstead, is designed to help you identify your natural talents and skills. While a lot of people look at strengthening their weaknesses, why not start with your strengths?
2. Pick up “Please Understand Me” This book is an introduction to the Myers-Briggs personality types and includes a test to determine your personality, as well as what careers and occupations would be ideal for someone like you. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn about yourself this way.
3. Ask yourself: What makes you feel powerful, feel, incredibly useful, excited inspired? Firestarter Coach Danielle LaPorte helps people hone their own genius, which includes finding the things that make you feel on top of your game and coming up with a way to make it your profession.

Changing your major now is a lot easier than regretting your college major after graduation.