Should College Students be Allowed to Change Their Majors Midway?

Most Chinese college students know how difficult it can be to change their majors midway through their studies. Now, some universities have adopted a more flexible policy which allows students to change their majors without restraint, providing they can meet the entrance requirements of the course they wish to take. This has aroused a heated dicussion. In my opinion, this alternation in major policy is good for students' development and should be practiced in all universities.

Firstly, reducing the limitations previously imposed on changing majors gives students another chance to select their careers with a maturer outlook. It is well known that the majors many college students take are not what they are really interested in. As a result, some students have no zest in their major at all. In the past, students had to either struggle with their original choices or kill their time in desperation and wait for the second choice in their postgraduate studies. Therefore, restriction on changing major is in fact an artificial barrier for students' development and should be lifted.

Moreover, allowing students to shift to the major they are good at means better exploitation of their potential talent. Every student has his/her own passion and talent. Universities, as an important education institution, should try their best to help students to achieve their potential instead of suppressing it. There are numerous outstanding figures in history who gave up their original major and achieved great success in the new major. For example, Yang Zhenning would not have won the Nobel Prize if he has stuck to experimental physics.

In conclusion, we should provide students an opportunity to take a more decisive role in choosing their individual destiny. A flexible major policy can produce a win-win situation.