Photo courtesy of Covenant College Marketing
While many begin their college education believing they are certain of their calling, the National Center for Education Statistics estimates that 30% of college students change their major at least once. Several Covenant students comment on why they decided to switch majors.
At the start of the spring 2026 semester, Emma Eastman ’28 changed her major from music to interdisciplinary studies. Due to health issues, she was advised by her doctor to change majors in order to decrease her workload. Still, Eastman explains that she has enjoyed pursuing this new major. “I’ve liked this new direction I’m taking,” she states.
Jonathan Redder ’29 was faced with the prospect of leaving his study of engineering when he failed to keep up with the classes required of him. However, rather than viewing this struggle negatively, Redder used this as an opportunity to look for something else he might enjoy more. “When I dropped calculus … I started considering my options and deciding what I really wanted to pursue,” he says.
After discussing different options with professors, Redder realized that he may be called to education instead of engineering. After reflecting on how he feels more satisfied as an education major, Redder comments, “Don’t be afraid … to switch and be stuck in something you don’t like.”
Jenna McClure ’27 switched majors multiple times in her search for a program suited to her calling. Even after she decided to pursue elementary education instead of education studies, she still felt unsure that she was where God intended her to be.
Things changed when she took her first community development class during her sophomore year. While she took the course because she was interested in the topic, she did not realize just how interested she was in the field of study. “After taking that class … I [realized] that the [community development] major would fit more of where I feel called,” McClure says.
Though changing majors can seem stressful, McClure explains that the choice was an easy one to make. She says that community development is “definitely where I’m supposed to be” and that the decision to switch “felt right.”
“If college has taught me anything, it’s that my plans literally don’t matter at all because I changed my major three times,” McClure says. After completing several semesters as a community development major, she feels satisfied that this is where the Lord is calling her to be.
“I feel like God brought me to Covenant for this major even though I didn’t know it at the time … and I completely trust Him,” McClure reflects.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Covenant College Marketing.