the university of texas at austin

How Do I Register for Fall Classes If I Don’t Know What I Want To Do?

If you are uncertain about your major, consider these strategies when you register for fall semester classes.

  1. Do you still have core requirements that you need to take? These are classes that will probably count toward any major you choose. Even if you were planning to take that government or history class at community college in the summer, it might make sense to take it now while you are exploring your major and career options.

  2. Have you narrowed down your choice of majors to a manageable few? If so, then you can compare those degree plans on your “short list” to see if there are classes that overlap. For example, if you were considering majoring in either Biology or Nutrition, then there are probably some Chemistry classes that would count toward either of those degree plans.

  3. Is there a class that would help you to learn more about a major on your "short list" to see if you really want to pursue it? That might be a useful choice for next spring’s schedule. If you decide not to pursue that major, it might be able to count as an elective for whatever major you choose.

  4. Even if you are not sure whether a class will count toward your future degree, if you choose a course that sounds interesting, and you think you might do well in it, then at least you might have improved your GPA and enjoyed the class. At best, you might learn if this area of study is for you.

  5. And, if you are just not quite ready by the time you have to register, there is always the option of Adds and Drops. After speaking with your Academic Advisor, you will likely be able to make a more educated guess at what classes will work for you. Add and Drops offers you the next two months to gain greater clarity about your major options. Then, make sure to follow through on exploring those majors you are considering.

To help you with this exploration of majors and careers, the Career Exploration Center offers counseling throughout the year. We encourage you to make an appointment to meet with one of our counselors.

 

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