Most people would not expect 18-year-olds to choose a spouse, a house or even their own cars. So why should they be expected to choose a major that could dictate what they do for the rest of their lives? The Exploration Program at Ohio State seeks to help students who may not be ready to make such a decision.

Louis Boucher, a junior in history, said he wishes he would have taken advantage of the program when he was a freshman.

“I’ve switched majors a couple of times. It’s difficult to graduate in four years anyway, and if you change majors, forget about it,” he said.

Boucher is not alone. According to the Exploration Program’s Web site, research indicates that up to 80 percent of students entering college admit they are not certain what they want to major in, even if they have declared an initial major. Additionally, up to half of all students will change majors at least once before graduation.

Christin Petrosino, coordinator of academic advising for the Exploration Program, encourages students to avoid the trap that Boucher and many others have fallen into.

“Students who aren’t sure about their majors are encouraged to enter OSU through the Exploration Program,” she said. “Many students hold a misconception that entering OSU as an undecided student will put them ‘behind’ on the road to graduation. While there are some majors that are lockstep, the vast majority of OSU’s majors are flexible and will accommodate students who enter their programs during their first or second year.”

Many OSU students remember having to take a survey course during freshman year. These courses are intended to help students find the right major for them and, in turn, graduate on time.

“The success of our program depends on our students taking proactive steps in the process of exploring majors,” Petrosino said. “The first step is our University Survey course. This is the foundation of the exploration process and it introduces students to decision-making as well as how to link this to OSU majors.”

If Boucher could give advice to undecided students, what would it be?

“Just explore your options; you’ve got plenty of time to make up your mind, but if you declare your major too early it will only put you farther behind.”

Around 20 percent of freshmen and a total of 4,000 students heed Boucher’s advice and take advantage of the Exploration Program at the start of each year.

In Petrosino’s experience, she says these students are likely to be happy with the direction they end up choosing.

“I can say that students who take advantage of our services typically declare their major at the end of their first year or beginning of their second year. Those who have met with their exploration adviser regularly and taken the time to explore all the options before making their decision are often satisfied with their choice,” she said.

The Exploration Advising Office is at 352 Denney Hall.

Richard Oviatt can be reached at [email protected].