For many students, choosing a major can be a confusing and even nerve-wracking process. In fact, studies show that between 65 percent and 85 percent of freshmen change majors at least once. Thanks to NIU’s new Exploring Majors House, many first-year students are finding the process smoother, more informed and much more fun.
The house, located on the fifth and sixth floors of Grant South’s B Tower, opened in fall 2007 with 100 first-year students. Its mission is to foster a supportive and challenging learning community by providing students with opportunities to explore various majors and create positive relationships.
Residents of the house have access to programming including workshops, brunch with faculty and Internet-guided major exploration. “The House provides a perfect opportunity to integrate academic programming with the living experience,” said Dan Turner, acting director of the Academic Advising Center and House coordinator.
One of the most popular aspects of the program involves field experiences that provide students with behind-the-scenes looks at various careers. This past fall, students attended a performance of Wicked and met with actors, stage crew and costume designers. Other trips included a visit to the Shedd Aquarium and a tour of a local television station.
The Exploring Majors House is open to any first-year student who has not declared a major. “We provide support for students who have a tentative idea about their major, students who have five different interests they want to explore, and students who don’t even know where to begin,” Turner said.
During the spring semester, Turner and his staff plan to implement new activities, including cultural programming, service learning opportunities and civic activities, such as voter registration.
For more information, contact aac@niu.edu.
- Abby Nall, NIU Public Affairs