Many college students graduate with a degree that they initially weren’t majoring in when beginning college. Switching majors is common for students to do because as you grow into adulthood, your interests and passions change. Here’s how to know if you’re pursuing the right major.
Know Why You Chose Your Major
Clearly know why you chose your major. Are you sincerely passionate about it and want to make a living from it? Did you choose it for yourself or to please others? Knowing why you chose your major will give you that boost of motivation during those long nights of studying and when you feel stressed. If you need to, write down the reasons why you picked that major.
Picture Your Future
Picture your future- what do you see? Do you see yourself happy working the career you chose? If you do, fantastic! If you don’t, think about changing course and heading down another career path. Ask yourself what type of job you’d be good at and would enjoy doing every day. That’ll help you figure out what to major in.
Think of Your Interests & Skills
Thinking about your interests and skills helps figure out what your strengths are and what career you can make out of them. A work environment that fits your skills, interests, and personality will allow you to feel fulfillment in your career and grant you more success.
It’s completely okay to be confused about what you want to study or whether or not you chose the right major. We understand that this process can be tough, which is why PUC has various programs for you to choose from. Your options and opportunities are endless here.
Everyone’s high school experience is different, but there are opportunities during your high school years that help prepare you for college. Being involved in extra curriculums and finding opportunities outside of school will be instrumental to your education and personal journey.
Join Clubs, Teams, or Outreaches
Joining a club, team, or outreaches teaches how to work with others, build character, and make great friendships. You’ll build communication skills, learn how to think creatively, and gain life lessons. Being a part of different organizations keeps you well-rounded and looks good on college applications.
Start Your Portfolio
If you are a writer, photographer, artist, graphic designer- any type of creator- start building your portfolio. Have them in a binder or hard drive, or showcase them on a business website or Instagram. It’s good to have a portfolio because once you start looking for jobs or internships, you’ll already have things to share. It takes time to put everything together, so start making your portfolio when you can.
Have A Part-Time Job or Internship
Many students take up a part-time job or internship while in high school. Even if the part-time job isn’t in the field you’re interested in, the skills and experiences you’ll have will go a long way. It’s okay if you don’t have much work experience because managers know you’re in high school.
(If there is a major you’re interested in studying in college, find someone who works in that field and ask if you can shadow them or take a couple of minutes to answer your questions.)
Strengthen Your Skills
Strengthen your skills in high school and be open to learning new things. Learning new things will give you a range of skills that will benefit you and future jobs by adding them to your resume.
Learn New Things
High school is a fantastic time to try new things because you’re not committed to one specific program. You have the opportunity to take elective classes that will expand your learning experience and teach you new skills. These classes can introduce you to new interests and possibly a field you’re interested in studying in college.
Go On School Trips
If you have the opportunity to go on a school trip, go. Especially if the trips are to other cities or countries, these trips are worthwhile, will broaden your horizons, and inspire you. Students find school trips enjoyable and valuable in growing a passion, discovering a hobby, and finding interest in a career.
Take College Courses During Summer
Some junior and senior high schoolers take general classes at a community college to start earning college credit. This helps knock one class out by the time you are in college, which allows you to take other general classes or classes required for your major. Taking classes at a community college is cheaper and shorter, so if you have the time and means, consider taking college courses in the summer.
Connect With Prospective Colleges
If you have an idea of which colleges you’re interested in, start reaching out to recruiters, admissions counselors, and even program heads. You can do your research on their website, but speaking to someone gives you a personal perspective on the school and major of your choice.
Check out our school website to learn more about PUC. If you have any questions, email admissions@puc.edu or call (800) 862-7080, option 2. We hope you consider PUC!
Whether you’re an incoming freshman or your first time living away from home, there are a couple of things you should start learning how to do before coming to PUC.
Learn How To Cook
It’s good to know how to cook, so if you don’t know how, start trying out a few recipes this summer. Look up some easy recipes first, then make your way to more complex recipes if you want. Even though you’ll have a meal plan with the dining commons, each dorm has a kitchen where you and your friends can cook and enjoy good meals together.
Learn How To Do Laundry
Many students go to college not knowing how to do laundry. If you’re one of those students, learn how to do laundry this summer. You can’t rely on anyone else to clean your clothes once you get to college, so the time is now, friends.
Contact Your Roommate
Reach out to your roommate if you haven’t yet. Introduce yourself and get to know a bit about each other since you’ll be living together. It’s also good to ask what appliances and room essentials they’re bringing so you don’t come with double the items.
(If you don’t know who your roommate is yet, contact your dean to make arrangements.)
Go Through Your Closet
This may not sound fun, but going through your closet will let you figure out which clothes to bring to school and which to keep, give, or donate. Packing for college is time-consuming, so going through your clothes will make it much easier when you’re preparing to leave for college.
Get Into The College Mindset
Every student knows how rough it can be to get back into a routine after the summer. Once the weeks get closer to school, start getting into the college mindset. Make sure everything is finalized with financial aid, housing, classes, etc. Outside of the paperwork, start getting excited!
Research Your Program
Research your program if you haven’t yet. Talk to your advisor if you have questions about classes or are interested in other courses. It’s okay if you’re undecided on a major! Choosing a major can be difficult, and many students enter college undecided, so don’t fret.
(Please make sure you are registered for classes. If you are not, contact the records office.)
Look Up Clubs & Organizations
PUC has over 40 clubs and organizations for you to choose from. From on-campus events, outreaches within the community and Bay Area, banquets in the Napa Valley, to weekly activities throughout the year, there is a place for everyone. Joining a club and going to school events is a great way to meet people and make friends in college. If you and your friends want to start a new club, you can!
Clean Up Your Social Media
College is a place to reinvent yourself, so make sure you have a clean slate before the school year starts. Go through your social media and delete photos or posts you don’t think apply to who you are or you don’t want public anymore. Check your tagged photos on Facebook, old photos on Instagram, or even old tweets.
Enjoy Your Summer
Even if you’re working or taking classes, make time to enjoy your summer. Time goes by fast, so make the most of your summer by spending it with your family and friends.
Coming all the way from Kapolei, Hawaii, is Nyllah Safotu. She finished her first year of college majoring in biology pre-med and wants to work in secondary education or help endangered animals. Nyllah chose to attend PUC because she wanted to go to an Adventist institution where the environment could safely help her grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We’re very pleased to have Nyllah as a part of our Pioneers family.
What is your dream job?
I don’t quite have a specific dream job, but I’m thinking about working in either secondary education or to help endangered animals.
How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?
I’d say it’s a little different. My dream was to be a surgeon and find cures for diseases. I would still like a job that helps people but also the animals and the environment.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?
My favorite thing is how warm and kind people have been here. I’ve been able to make so many great connections and friends with people who I can call family. Everyone has been super helpful with adjusting to college life and I just appreciate being in such a loving community.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
Singapore
If you had to be trapped in a movie for a day, what movie would you choose?
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
What is something you’re passionate about?
I’m really passionate about music, specifically listening to it. I love all kinds of genres and always enjoy hearing unique styles from different artists.
Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend
Golden Gate Park is such a beautiful place to enjoy nature, art, and the company of the people you’re with all in one place.
This week’s Faces of PUC is Angwin local, Christianne Andrianarijaona. She is a third year biochemistry major who wants to pursue dentistry and is passionate about singing. We are blessed to have a sweet student like Christianne a part of our Pioneers family.
What is your dream job?
My dream would be something challenging, but one that still gives me peace in mind because of the good hours and organized schedule. That’s why I would want to go into dentistry. I know the patients and colleagues I’d meet along the way would be life-changing.
How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?
Haha, when I was younger, I wanted to be a professional singer, something very close to Tori Kelly or Beyonce. I have pretty bad stage fright and nerves, so I’ve gone against pursuing that. But I must say that compared to now, I had a much more creative and open mindset. As a college student, I overthink often and I tend to go overboard with my creative thoughts, which ends up being overwhelming.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?
PUC is a very close-knit, small family meaning that you’ll find long-lasting friends and be able to see God through people. That’s what I like most about the Pioneers family. Everybody knows everybody.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
My favorite place in the world would either be anywhere quiet and spacious, whether it be outdoors, a museum, library, Chan Shun, or wherever my family is.
If you had to be trapped in a movie for a day, what movie would you choose?
If I had to be trapped in a movie for a day, one of the movies I would choose would be Mrs. Doubtfire. Just watching the plotting, setting, and revealing unfold would be so entertaining.
What is something you’re passionate about?
I am passionate about singing, though I haven’t been pursuing as much as I wish. But it’s something that I love doing and am decently confident with.
Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend.
Hmm, I would say Round One in San Jose. It’s a cute little arcade with bowling allies and karaoke rooms. The only thing that’s not very affordable is the ride there and back, but that’s Bay Area for you.
PUC’s nursing program is our largest department. Offering a two-step program in A.S. and B.S.N., and a B.S.N. program for registered nurses, students come from all over the country to gain real-life experience, receive hands-on training, and be mentored by caring, dedicated professors.
Jenna Park is one of PUC’s nursing instructors who teach first-quarter nursing students. As a PUC nursing alum, she enjoyed her college experience so much that she decided to come back and teach the future generation.
What is your favorite thing about teaching in your department?
I’m relatively new at PUC as a professor, and I love all the support I get from my department. I also love the class I’m teaching, as I see tremendous growth in the students.
What makes your department unique compared to other departments at PUC?
Each quarter is one cohort together, and as they advance in the program, they advance together. The comradery within the cohorts is pretty neat to see.
What makes your department at PUC unique compared to the same program at other colleges and universities?
There is freedom for me to start my classes with a word of prayer and a verse of the day. I can also share spiritual experiences I’ve had with my patients in my personal clinical stories.
Can you share a few examples of exciting things alumni from your department are doing?
PUC grad nurses, including myself, have been working on the frontlines to fight COVID-19, whether it’s in the ICU, ER, or vaccine clinics. But we honestly can’t wait for all this to end.
What’s something your department is well known for? Why do you think that is?
When I was a student at PUC years ago (not sure if it’s still relevant now) nursing students were known to disappear after getting into the program. We’re always studying and going to clinicals!
What’s something a new student can look forward to about joining your department?
New students can look forward to an intense amount of work and reading! But mostly, students can look forward to putting everything they’ve learned and will learn into practice to provide care for patients not only physically but also spiritually and mentally.
Advice From Professor Park:
“I would ask them to seek what motivates them to be a nurse and let that be a true drive-in pushing through with the program. Students are always surprised by how intensive the program is, so being efficient with time management and knowing the best study and learning habits beforehand may be helpful. And lastly, it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to ask for help, whether you seek help from the TLC, the counseling center, your professors, or your classmates. Nursing is really hard! We’re all here to help our students.”
Visit our website to learn more about the department of nursing. Our admissions team can answer any questions you have. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2, or email admissions@puc.edu to speak with one of our admissions counselors to start learning about what PUC’s nursing department can offer you.
PUC offers a variety of summer classes, workshops, and seminars. Many high schoolers and undergraduates take summer classes because it gives them a head start on checking off their credits and ensures they graduate on time. Taking summer courses at PUC also cuts half the price on classes and boarding. Here are six other benefits of taking summer classes.
Finish Gen Eds Sooner
A great way to finish your general education courses sooner is by taking summer classes. This allows you to take up more mandatory classes your major requires from you during the regular school year.
No Overloading
Taking summer classes will knock out other courses you have to take during the regular school year, which can give you a lighter course load so you won’t have to worry about overloading on credits.
You Can Graduate Early
If you want to begin your college career sooner or want to finish undergrad faster, enrolling in summer classes can help you graduate sooner. Taking summer classes will help you check off your courses and lead you one step closer to graduating early.
Fewer Classes
Since you’re required to take a number of credits each quarter, summer classes allow you to focus on just one or two classes at a time. No need to worry about juggling too many classes at once.
Explore Your Passions
During the regular school year, you’re focusing more on core classes. Summer classes are an opportunity for you to explore your passions and take fun electives. You won’t only be earning credits, but getting the chance to see if you want to major or minor in your passions.
Bump Up Your GPA
Summer classes can help bump up your GPA and accelerate your academic career. Increasing your GPA will look great on college applications and can help you earn scholarships.
Terah Ramos is a senior studying for a BA in Spanish Studies and a BBA in Marketing. When she first came to PUC as a freshman, she was a biology major, but that all changed when she found out about the study abroad program Adventist College Abroad (ACA). On a whim, Terah decided to study a year abroad in Spain and take that opportunity to learn Spanish Studies and found it practical because everything she’d learn could apply to her chosen career path later on.
Terah generously answered some questions for us to learn more about PUC’s World Languages program.
What do you like about the program?
I love my professors. They are extremely dedicated and profoundly knowledgeable. Not only are they good at what they do, but they are also very helpful and caring. I know people who just visit the professors in the World Languages and Cultures department just to have a chat. It’s easy to tell that the professors are passionate about their jobs and want you to succeed.
What are some important things you’ve learned from your program?
(1) Learning a language is one of the most rewarding things you can do – the idea that you are able to communicate with an entire group of people you would not be able to understand/converse with otherwise. I love speaking to people in Spanish and seeing their faces light up because it means that I’ve taken extra effort to understand them.
(2) Language is closely tied with culture – it’s impossible to learn a language without understanding the cultures that speak it. As with every language, Spanish is full of colloquialisms. For example, “Aguas!” is a slang phrase commonly used in Mexico – essentially meaning “look out!” in English. The term stems from the time period before modern sewage treatments in Mexico when people would shout a warning (“Aguas!”) before throwing their dirty water out the window. Mexico has a ton of cool slang phrases like these, which kind of give you an understanding of the history and humor of the culture that make it into a widely used modern language. This is just an example from Mexico, but there are unique sayings that differ with each Spanish-speaking country!
What class have you enjoyed the most, and why?
My favorite class was definitely Advanced Language Studies taught by Professor Gregorutti. I’m really interested in Linguistics, so this class constantly blew my mind. We learned about language acquisition – how humans are able to become aware of and understand language. It was so insightful and philosophical!
Can you give any advice to high school students who are interested in pursuing a major in World Languages? What should they expect or prepare for?
If you’re planning to pursue a Spanish Studies or another World Languages major, you’re likely going to spend a year abroad. It’s very important to stay open-minded, embrace mistakes, and become accustomed to discomfort. It is more than worth it!
Why would you recommend this program?
I would recommend this program because of its practicality. When paired with another major (which is doable and even encouraged!), a language major not only prepares students for communicating in the workforce but everyday life as well. I feel that other majors may not be as applicable or usable in the real world as instantly as a language major.
Can you share any advice with students interested in your major?
Practice what you’ve learned as often as you can – find someone you can talk to in your target language/share the information you’ve learned in class. It doesn’t hurt to supplement this major with a minor or perhaps even another major, and most importantly – keep an open mind!
Visit our website to learn more about the Department of World Languages. Our admissions counselors can answer any questions you have. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2, or email admissions@puc.edu to speak with one of our team members to see what the world languages program can offer you.
PUC’s biology department has an extensive number of courses that allow students to build their knowledge of biology in and out of the classroom, which prepares them for medical school. With our high acceptance rates to medical and dental schools, our students have been accepted into Loma Linda University, Duke University, Midwestern University, and other leading institutions around the country.
Isaac Joo is a junior biology pre-medicine student from Portland, Oregon. He chose PUC because of the rich history it has within his family. He always heard great academic success by attending PUC and felt that it was a right fit for him. Isaac loved the campus and had a great first impression with the teachers and staff here. Now being a PUC student himself, he’s been enjoying his time at PUC and finds the biology program amazing because of the professors, just as he heard. Isaac answered some questions for us to learn more about the biology program.
Why did you choose this program?
Biology is the study of life, and I selected this program because I felt that it could be very integrative to my profession.
What do you like about the program?
The biology program is truly amazing because of the professors. They are great at really connecting with the students and are always willing to help. One example that stuck out to me was during COVID. My biology professor wanted us to write a weekly check-in because she was worried about us. This really helped me during the pandemic, and she would always write back with a friendly comment.
What class have you enjoyed the most, and why?
I really enjoyed Systems and Physiology because I was able to learn more in-depth about the human body.
What are some important things you’ve learned from your program?
I learned to find a good balance between studying and relaxing. Burn-outs are real in college and I had to learn that it is okay to take breaks.
Why would you recommend this program?
I recommend this program to those who are interested in going in-depth in the study of life and how everything works.
Can you give any advice to high school students who are interested In pursuing your major? What should they expect or prepare for?
Although this major is very exciting, I would say that you definitely need to put in your hours for studying. Most classes go through extensive information, and some parts can be challenging. However, nothing is impossible, and all the professors want their students to succeed. I would say to never be afraid to ask questions and always go to office hours if you don’t understand something.
Outside of classes, are there any activities or events your program throws during the school year?
Yes, there are a lot of fun and thrilling activities. The biology club plays movies, throws water balloon fights, and goes on hikes in the back-40! Freshman biology majors also have a personal mentor who can help them settle in. Lastly, the biology club throws a trip to Albion, and that is where you can meet fellow biology classmates and bond with them.
What is your favorite thing about attending PUC?
My favorite thing about attending PUC would be my friends and the campus. I made some incredible friends here, and I can see why this place was originally a resort. Whether it be hiking the back-40 or going for a swim in the pool, I found myself really enjoying the moments here.
Sigma Tau Delta is an international English Honors Society for English majors and minors. Our PUC English honors society provides English-related enrichment within the community, provides opportunities for English students to pursue their interests and talents, and hosts events throughout the year for anyone to attend.
Lauren VandenHoven is one of Sigma Tau Delta’s board members and graciously shared what it’s been like re-establishing the honors society this year and being a part of Sigma Tau Delta.
Tell us about Sigma Tau Delta.
Sigma Tau Delta is an international English Honors Society across many colleges, so our club is just one chapter. Officially, membership in Sigma Tau is limited to English majors and minors who are at least a sophomore. Members get to be officially inducted into the club, participate in chapter meetings, and receive cords at graduation. However, when it comes to events, which are the main thing Sigma Tau exists for, anyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! The way that we see it is that we host the events, but they are for everyone.
The club was re-established this year. How did everything come together for this to happen?
There is not too much to say about this because there was really only a couple of years where we weren’t a club. This year, Professor Tetz took on the role of sponsor and we held elections for our executive board. Then we started to plan what events we’d like to do, and it’s been going well since then! To be honest, I don’t know a lot about the answer to this question besides what I’ve written because every single person in the club is a first-time member, and we are in some ways deciding what it will look like as we go along.
What are your responsibilities as an executive board member?
We decided to have an executive board because we didn’t want all the responsibility for club activities to fall on one person, or for one person to be in charge of all the club decisions. So we get ideas from club members about what they’d like to do, and then the three of us on the executive board (and Professor Tetz) meet most weeks to work on scheduling and organizing those activities. It’s also really good because we are all very busy with academics and other activities, so having three people working together makes it really easy to plan fun things without too much strain on anyone individually. For example, one of us will take notes in meetings for future planning, one of us will advertise, one of us will buy food for the events, and we all share the set-up and clean-up.
What is the mission of Sigma Tau Delta?
The official mission of Sigma Tau Delta as a whole, according to their website, is to:
Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
Serve society by fostering literacy.
I think the PUC club definitely supports all of those things, but I think we focus mainly on the second one, providing English-related enrichment for our surrounding community, because the majority of what we do is providing opportunities for majors to connect with each other, and for other students to be part of our department and enjoy literary activities even if they aren’t a major. All of our activities are literary or literary-adjacent pursuits, but the main point of it all (in my opinion) is getting to pursue our interests and enjoy each other’s talents and company.
Can you share any activities or events the club has planned this year? Who can attend?
So far, we have had just two events because a lot of fall quarter was spent deciding what the club was even going to be and how we were going to run it. Our first event was a Christmas party during dead week, where we mostly just wanted to provide a spot for people to take a break and relax, so we had lots of cookies and showed a movie, and just chatted with each other. Our second event was Bad Poetry Afternoon, which is an annual tradition that we co-sponsored with the English department this year. At this event, anyone can sign up to read their badly-written verse and it is an afternoon full of laughter and enjoying poetry but not taking ourselves too seriously. We also had donuts. Both of these events were open to anyone who wanted to come, and we got lots of majors and non-majors attending.
Why should future English students join Sigma Tau Delta?
I think future English students should join our club because it’s a great way to make friends and “find your people.” We see each other in classes, but we might be too bogged down with homework to get to pursue our literary hobbies just for fun. It’s often said that the best way to make friends and find a good community is by seeking out people with your same interests, and I think our club is a great opportunity for that. All you need to do is show up, and you will probably find people who share your passions or, at the very least, are fun to be around. Plus, membership is not very expensive, and all of our events are free.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of Sigma Tau Delta?
My favorite thing about Sigma Tau Delta so far is getting to hang out with other majors who aren’t in my year. Because of how the structure of the major works, I have been in a cohort with a lot of the same people for most of my classes. I love that, but it does mean that I have very little interaction with freshmen and sophomores because they aren’t to their upper-division classes yet (also because of the pandemic and online school preventing us from ever getting introduced in the first place). So Sigma Tau has helped me to make friends with so many people I might not have been around much otherwise, and I think it has helped everyone in our department to interact with each other a little more even if they don’t necessarily meet in classes.
