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Those Inevitable Academic Detours

By Marcy Kraus, director of the College Center for Academic Support and dean of freshmen

What happens when the prospective economics major struggles in the first semester of calculus? Or the student who has wanted to be a doctor since she was seven years old, finds that introductory biology is not as interesting as she expected? During the last few weeks, pre-major advisors and advisors in Academic Support, have been meeting with students to plan for next semester. These meetings can be an optimum time to assess and reassess how students are doing in meeting their academic goals. Advisors—and parents—might hear "I was planning to major in history but I haven't earned very strong grades on my first research papers." Or perhaps the concern is expressed more along the lines of "I thought physics was what I wanted to do but I'm really interested in what my roommate is learning in international relations. Perhaps I need to change my major."

Keeping in mind that Rochester's flexible curriculum offers students unusual opportunities to explore a diverse range of academic offerings, students newly uncertain of their academic plans should not be discouraged from venturing off on an academic detour. If business or classics or engineering is now of interest, it's not too late to try out these courses next semester or next year, and for most, still develop a plan to graduate on time.

A large majority of students tell us that Rochester's curriculum helped them make the decision to enroll here. While many freshmen often make "safe" course choices in their first semester, these same students may be inclined to sample a broader array of classes once they realize that there are very few "shoulds" in the Rochester curriculum. As students plan ahead for next semester, the following questions can be helpful: "Which courses did I like best this semester?" "What did I learn about myself and my interests during my first semester of college?" Many students will discover that it is also helpful to ask friends "What professors have you enjoyed the most?" "What was the most interesting course you've taken?" Students who have a career area in mind, or worry that majoring in art history will be impractical for their future earnings, should consult with an advisor from the Career Center who can help them explore their life goals, research employment opportunities, and identify internships and other experiences to test their interests. Students should also feel comfortable asking their advisors "would it be OK if I postponed taking organic chemistry a year so that I can explore psychology?" Students who are willing to take a chance on an academic detour, will often make new and unexpected discoveries that change their academic plans for the better.