As you think about possible majors, start with answering a few questions:
The questions below are good starting points to explore career pathways related to your interests.
History major, concentration in public history. English minor.
"What do you want to do? What do you like to do?"
When I first came to Longwood, these questions seemed like they would never intersect. I felt like there were too many options and I could never choose just one. Environmental science, French, English, history, education? My advisor in the registrar's office helped me work through my interests, discover potential career opportunities, and decide on classes for the following semesters. But people who entered my life through pure chance led me to declare.
“Looking back at my experience, I see that coming in as undeclared was one of the best decisions I could have made.”
- Haleigh James ‘21
During my freshman year, my randomly-assigned roommate asked, "What do you like?" After naming off all the potential majors I had racing through my head, she asked again "What do you like about them?" It was then that I realized I had been thinking too much about my academic performance or a teacher I had in high school. I needed to focus on what really mattered—how the subject made me feel. "I like museums, I like art, I like art history, I like writing," I told her. "So, you like public history?," she responded. I had never heard of it, but it was exactly what I was searching for.
Looking back at my experience, I see that coming in as undeclared was one of the best decisions I could have made. By taking my general education (now Civitae) courses before declaring a major I was able to see what each field had to offer. While the process may seem stressful, pressuring you to decide before you are ready, you have time. Take it. Consult with Longwood faculty, staff, and students in your potential majors—the people you meet could be the ones that open new doors you never knew existed.
Admissions
Text 434.207.6514
admissions@longwood.edu
Phone 434.395.2060