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Celebrating the many paths to declaring a major
It can start as a childhood dream, a class that deeply resonates, or a conversation with an advisor or professors that turns curiosity into passion. There are many paths to declaring a major, each one unique.
Sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences, the Advising Center and Student Transition Engagement Programs, Declaration Week was created last year to celebrate students as they make the next step in their academic journey, wherever they are in the process. This year’s Declaration Week returned to campus March 30-April 3, featuring a week of resources and festivities across disciplines.
Declaring a major is one of the most meaningful moments in a student’s academic journey as it often represents a student stepping forward with confidence and clarity. Far beyond a simple signature on a form, declaring a major symbolizes exploration, growth and commitment.
Students from across Arts & Sciences share their stories of discovery and purpose, reflecting on their journey to declaring a major.
What drew you to your major? How did you end up choosing it?
“I am not exactly sure what career path I want to go into, but I knew psychology would be a great jumping point. Psychology has already taught me so much about people and interactions, and I am excited to continue my path with this major. It's broad enough that it doesn't constrain me to one career path, and I know I will always be interested in this domain,” said Naomi Idemudia ‘28, declared psychology major.
“Looking past college, I want to enter public service. Both economics and international relations seem to have this real-world effect where you can take what you've learned in the classroom and apply it to make the world a better place,” said Akash Nayak ‘27, declared economics and international relations double major.
What do you like most about your major program/coursework at W&M?
“There's a lot of variety in what's available in terms of coursework. International relations is a very interdisciplinary major. There are history courses, government courses, and economics courses. I really like that ability to kind of get a taste of everything. It's not just one kind of story that you're being taught,” Nayak said.
“My coursework here is rigorous and extensive, but that’s exactly what studying art history requires. There are a variety of classes spanning geographical areas, time periods, and materials that allow students to have a well-rounded education. Our campus’s proximity to the Muscarelle Museum of Art has also allowed for new and fun ways to engage with art that go beyond traditional lectures, which has made learning feel more dynamic and immersive,” said Rachel Simmons ‘28, declared art history major.
How does your major align with your post-graduation goals? What transferable skills have you gained from your coursework?
“I hope to get my master's in counseling post-grad, and I think the combination of psychology and religious studies will provide an interesting and helpful perspective for that field. The religious studies courses that I’ve taken have allowed me to learn about and appreciate different perspectives,” said Hannah Kate Harrison ‘29, intended psychology and religious studies double major.
“The skill that I've gained is the critical analysis of an issue and looking at it from all sides, from the humanities perspective, from the economic perspective, from the environmental perspective and being able to unite all those interests. And being able to understand issues so deeply, I think that's the biggest value that this program provides,” said Davey Mazur ‘28, declared environment & sustainability and finance double major.