Choosing a degree is a foundational moment in any university student’s journey. The process can be a confusing, marked by a whirlwind of options. Some make their choice with certainty, whilst for others, their path is not yet set in stone. Switching paths is never an easy decision, and takes a bit of bravery, but for some it is a crucial step in finding the right fit for their academic interests and career paths.

Fraser, for instance, changed from English to Philosophy after his first year. Initially torn between the two subjects before applying, he was eventually drawn to Philosophy’s style of thinking and essay-writing. Tibo, changed from Classics to Philosophy after his second year, and is now a PhD student at Oxford studying Logic. He was initially drawn by an interest in the philosophy of language. Lily, torn between MML and law before applying, initially chose MML but later took the leap and switched to law.

“[I]f you feel you would only be slightly more motivated with a new course, that won’t necessarily be enough to do the work you need to get back on track”

Each of the students that I spoke to were very positive about the support they received from their colleges. Lily said that both her Directors of Studies for both her old and new subjects at Clare were “very supportive, and made me feel confident in my decision”. Fraser seconds this, and he mentions he is grateful that his English DoS did not try to “hard sell” him to stay on his original course, and that he felt “very supported” in this step.

Fraser emphasised that while it is important to “trust your gut”, it’s essential to be informed about the course you are switching into. He advises that “if you feel you would only be slightly more motivated with a new course, that won’t necessarily be enough to do the work you need to get back on track.”

“I had to build a case for why I should be accepted onto the new course”

Lily mentioned speaking to a student in the year above who had made the same switch, which reassured her that it was not unusual to have doubts about a chosen course. She attended some law lectures to get a sense of the subject’s demands, and Tibo highlighted the importance of “talking to a lot of people in the subject you are thinking about switching into.”

The process of changing is not the same for everyone – it varies by subject and by college. Whilst Tibo and Fraser switched without an official interview, Lily was interviewed in the summer over Zoom. It was “nerve-wracking”, she acknowledges as “I had to build a case for why I should be accepted onto the new course.”

“Lily emphasised the importance of staying positive, and reminded herself that ‘this is not meant to be impossible’”

Joining a new cohort of students is bound to be stressful. “It was intimidating at first”, she admits about joining Part IB law students, who all had a year of experience and practice before embarking on a substantively examined year. She said that she felt “a lot of pressure” to get to grips with the course, whilst simultaneously managing applications to vacation schemes. Tibo said that he sometimes found the reading more complicated, and generally found the year more challenging in terms of completing supervision essays.

Navigating these hurdles is no small task, but each student found strategies to help them succeed. To prepare for Philosophy, Fraser went through the reading list for the year of philosophy he had missed. “It helped me feel comfortable with the way of thinking required for the course by the time term started.” Lily emphasised the importance of staying positive, and reminded herself that “this is not meant to be impossible”, despite “how intimidating the four essays in three hours exams seemed to be!”

Ultimately, the ability to accept that your academic path may not be linear is an important choice for some. Having the confidence to take the step into the unknown can be crucial in navigating the complexities of higher education.

Some names have been changed for privacy.