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I entered my freshman year as a chemistry major on the Common Application, thinking that I would have my life mapped out by the first day of classes. The plan was simple: After college, I’d go to dental school to become an orthodontist, then open my own practice. It felt foolproof.

My first year, instead, was full of unexpected stresses, self-doubt and uncertainty, none of which had a place in my four-year vision. I convinced myself I wasn’t working hard enough or smart enough, that I just needed more grit, that everyone else must be struggling the same way.

By the end of my first semester, that mindset had worn me down. I wish I had entered the year undeclared. But I sought another route the next semester.

In my second semester, I enrolled in 17 credits that had little connection with my declared major. I took various policy studies and political science courses, experiencing genuine interest for the first time at SU. I learned that academic success and intellectual interest were not mutually exclusive. That realization was unexpected, but deeply rewarding – and by the end of the semester, I had earned all A’s and made the Dean’s List.

Still, I held out hope it would be rewarding to stick to my original plan. I had entered college as a chemistry major for a reason, and I believed I should see it through. This past summer, I took a chemistry course at the University of Connecticut to get back on track, but when my third semester began, I fell back into the same slump. I had no desire to go to class. I felt stuck.

Having had such a positive experience in my second semester, I finally decided to take the risk and change majors. I am now a policy studies and political science double major and feel grateful to be part of such an amazing program. But, I wish it hadn’t taken three semesters to finally find my fit. This is why entering college undeclared can be such a valuable experience.

Many may not realize it, but undecided majors are fairly common. A November 2024 U.S. News and World Report shows that around 12 to 14% of first-year students will formally declare as undecided for their first semester. These students can take a broad range of courses. Some universities will even prohibit students from declaring a major until their second year of classes so that students feel more prepared for studies that suit them.

Our very own Whitman School of Management follows this structure: Students are granted two years to explore their options and wait to declare their desired major until the second semester of sophomore year. The result is a high-ranking college with academic and professional success.

Even still, there is a lingering stigma around declaring undecided, even though there are clear benefits. Students who are undecided often change majors far less than their declared classmates. A 2018 report from the National Center for Educational Statistics, known as NCES, states that around 30% of bachelor’s and associate’s students will switch majors within three years of initial enrollment. Even students who enter with a clear plan often end up changing course. This poses the question of why students feel the pressure of declaring before even getting to college.

The answer isn’t the same for everyone. Some have familial precedent: Maybe since both parents are doctors then they, too, feel pressure to become a doctor. Others may have big dreams or goals they hope to accomplish, where a specific major might grant them the knowledge and tools required to get there. Maybe they have a genuine interest in the subject, or the major offers strong career opportunities and better pay. But, there is one underlying theme that I have noticed — the fear of falling behind infiltrates the entire process. This fear is what I felt, too.

In high school, I often found myself silently competing with my classmates over grades, experiences and opportunities that I thought would make me feel more put together entering college. My Advanced Placement Chemistry course was one place where I felt that I excelled, and because of this, I thought that I could put myself in the lead by pursuing a chemistry major. What I didn’t realize at the time is that success does not always correlate to interest or enjoyment. That realization has opened my mindset to taking advantage of trying new things, taking different styles of courses and learning because it’s fun.

Being undeclared allows for the mind to stay open. Attending classes doesn’t have to feel like a chore. The college experience can become an exciting one, where trying new things is a gift, not a hassle. College is a space where we have the opportunity to figure out what we’d like the rest of our lives to look like. Pushing ourselves to figure it out because it seems like everyone else has is both problematic and ultimately futile. Open-mindedness in college will lead to success beyond academics–cultivating curiosity, resilience and a healthier relationship with learning and ourselves.

William Dumond is a sophomore studying political science and policy studies. He can be reached at whdumond@syr.edu

Published on January 27, 2026 at 11:11 pm