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Exploring Exploration; Unpacking The Journey To Declaring An Undergraduate Major, Kimberly Kristine Hughes

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

As an advisor for undeclared students, I see daily how anxieties around declaring a major, around getting a job after graduating, and around identifying a singular passion delay the process of finding an academic home for first years. This master’s thesis investigates undeclared students’ financial, social, personal, and familial motivations for choosing their major. It offers advice for how to find a major that aligns with these motivations, while also addressing key concerns such as time to degree, sustaining curiosity, and encouraging intellectual and creative development.

Drawing on secondary research, I will reflect upon three consistent themes: the importance of …