Decision-Making Process

The first thing to understand is that decision-making is a process. This process involves a series of steps. Sometimes decision-making seems to happen automatically, and other times it may take a great deal of thinking before the decision can be reached. Either way, whether we realize it or not, there are always steps involved.

STEP 1 – ASSESS what you need to decide

• My future 

• My career

• My classes for next semester

• Other things

STEP 2 – EXPLORE your options

• What are my options?

• Read about majors in your catalog.

• Talk with your advisor.

• Consider your interests.

• Visit a Student Success Center and take a preference/skill inventory.

• Talk to a current student, alumni or community member in the field. People who are directly involved in the major or field in which you are interested can be very helpful.

• Talk with your professors.

• Consider the pros and cons of each option. What do you like about each option and what are potential obstacles?

• Consider the short and long-term challenges of each option.

• Explore the requirements that must be met to be admitted into the major.

• Determine the required curriculum for the major.

• Determine if it is necessary to attend graduate school.

STEP 3 - DECIDE

• Narrow and prioritize your list of options based on the ones that are the most important to you.

• If you are having difficulty choosing, bring your options to your Student Success Advisor and ask for help.

STEP 4 - ACT

• Create an action plan with a time frame for you to implement your decision.

• Work with your Student Success Advisor to determine if your plan makes sense.

Student Spotlights

Read some of the spotlights from recent students.