Major Week Helps Freshmen “Figure Life Out”

According to a 2010 College Board report, most college students change majors at least once—and many several times—during their undergraduate education.

From October 24-31, the College’s South and West Hall residence life staff members collaborated to offer a week-long event called ‘A Major Week.’ The event’s purpose is to give students “opportunities to pursue thoughts and activities that will aid them in better understanding the concept of calling and vocation,” said South Hall Residence Director Chris Bohle.

“The residence life staff and Becky Starkenburg, director of First Year Experience, decided to form A Major Week because we know how overwhelming it can be for college freshmen to ‘figure life out,’” said Bohle. “We want to give students as many avenues as possible to help them find God’s call on their lives. A Major Week offers an array of events that can reach many students.”

Some of those events included class visits throughout the week, career assessments in the Cooper Career and Counseling Center, and reflection on the Strengths Finder instrument each freshman took in September.

The conclusion to A Major Week was ‘Major Questions’ on October 31. Major Questions welcomed faculty from every department into South and West Hall lobbies for a fair-like event, providing students with easy access to the various majors.

“I liked being able to talk to professors at Majors Questions,” said Jessica Bordenaro ’15 of Lockport, Illinois, an elementary/special education double major. “The professors were very friendly and approachable. My friends with undeclared majors got a lot out of this week and really started to focus on what they should choose for their major.”

Bordenaro’s favorite part of A Major Week was looking back at her Strengths Finder results. “It was fun to reflect back on my five strengths and compare them with the freshmen again,” she said. “I especially had fun comparing my strengths with my roommates again, since we know each other better now and can better identify each other’s strengths.”