Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions a student will make in college. Double majoring–studying two majors simultaneously–is a great way to broaden your academic experience and maximize your studies. If you’re considering double majoring, there are a few important things to know first to set yourself up for academic success. Read our double major tips below to learn more! 

Talk to your academic advisor

Before committing to a double major, talk to your academic advisor. They can help you determine whether you realistically have time to complete both majors and outline a roadmap to ensure you’re taking the right classes and amount of credits. Once you declare a second major, you may be assigned to, or will need to request, an additional academic advisor from that department. Be sure to do this ASAP so you can walk them through your plans for double majoring.

Start early

College students typically declare their major(s) at the end of their sophomore year or at the beginning of their junior year. If you’re considering a double major, aim to declare around then to give yourself plenty of time to take all the required classes for each major. While double majoring can be a rewarding academic experience, it may not be worth it if one of your majors will require more time (and money) spent in school than you had originally planned.

Consider any financial implications

Be sure to consider any financial implications of pursuing a double major. For example, taking on a second major may require you to take additional classes, which can increase your overall academic costs. You may need to find additional sources of financial aid to cover these costs. If spending more money doesn’t make sense in the long run, it may not be worth pursuing a second major. 

Plan well

Studying two majors will likely lead to a heavier academic workload, so it’s important to plan your terms well and balance your courses to avoid overloading yourself. It’s also important to take other factors into consideration when doing your academic planning, such as jobs, clubs, and other extracurricular activities. Good time management skills will be key, so take advantage of resources like planners, apps, and calendars to keep all of your responsibilities organized and on track. 

Consider career relevance and passions

While your college major doesn’t necessarily need to be perfectly aligned with your desired career, it can be helpful for them to be related. When choosing one or both of your majors, reflect on whether they’re relevant to the career you want to pursue. 

Have any questions about double majoring? Text #Hello to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!