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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Florida

exploratory timeline

Suggested Timeline for Choosing a Major

We hope that this timeline will help guide you through important steps to take while exploring at the University of Florida. Remember that choosing a major or career is not a linear process; you will always be evaluating and re-evaluating depending on the new information you have learned about yourself and various careers.

1st Semester

  • Attend a workshop presented by the Academic Advising Center or the Career Connection Center to understand the Exploratory process.
  • Compile a list of your top 3 major choices that you would like to explore at UF.
  • Complete C.H.O.M.P, an online career assessment, then meet with a Career Counselor at the Career Connection Center to discuss how your majors and career preferences fit with your skills, abilities, personality, values, and lifestyle preferences.
  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss tracking requirements for your majors of interest, as well as to create a schedule that will help you explore and stay on-track for the majors of choice.

2nd Semester

  • Talk to parents, students, advisors, professors and professionals already working in your chosen field to gather information and affirm your major choices.
  • Continue enrolling in critical tracking courses for the major(s) in which you might be interested.
  • Start volunteering or join a student organization to begin getting practical experience in an area of interest.
  • Meet with an advisor in the college offering your major of interest to ensure you are taking appropriate courses for tracking.

3rd Semester

  • Continue enrolling in critical tracking courses for your intended major.
  • Declare your major of choice at the designated college advising office.
  • If still strongly interested in additional areas, contact an advisor to discuss your options with double majors, dual degrees and minor options.
  • Contact the Career Connection Center and begin working on a resume that captures your UF experiences.