Double majoring can be a really great option for some students, however, it does come with its own challenges. I double majored in Communication and Biblical Studies, and here are some of the pros and cons I discovered during my experience.

Pro: Exploring multiple interests – If you are struggling to choose a major, consider pursuing various interests. While some majors complement each other well, such as business and finance, or chemistry and biology, you can choose to pair any majors. You might be surprised how seemingly different majors interact very well. For instance, I have found that my communication major complements my biblical studies in ways that I did not expect. Also, you can change your mind later on if you decide that two majors are too overwhelming or if you are not enjoying one of your majors.

Con: Need to take more classes per semester – Depending on the two majors that you pursue, you will likely need to take more classes per semester than the average student in order to graduate in four years. It can become overwhelming to take more classes and to have a wide variety of subject matter. A single major can be overwhelming at times, and having two can increase the amount of stress you may feel.

Pro: Broader career opportunities – Having a bachelor’s degree acts as a qualification for many jobs in a career field. By having two degrees, you expand the fields that you are qualified for. You also might find that you have a leg up on your competitors in some jobs where both of your degrees might apply. By broadening your education, you are likewise broadening your career opportunities.

Con: More difficult to schedule courses – When you schedule your courses you must be mindful of the specific major courses for both of your majors, which can make scheduling a bit tricky. This means that sometimes you might end up taking classes during less preferable times, making space for all the classes you need to prioritize. Your advisor will be able to help you with scheduling conflicts, but it will take more effort to make a schedule that works for you.

Pro: Multiple academic advisors – Every student has an academic advisor for their major. This faculty member can be an incredible resource as you try to navigate through your college experience. When you have two majors, you are assigned two academic advisors, which can certainly come in handy. College can be really overwhelming at times, so it can be very beneficial to have two professors in your corner who can provide advice and counsel.

Con: Unlikely to finish early – Many students who only have one major may be able to graduate a semester early or even a year early. However, with a double major, it is unlikely that you will be able to finish all of your course material in less than four years. In fact, you may even find yourself needing to take summer courses in order to finish on time.

Pro: Saving money – If you were to go to school for four years in one field and then go back to school for your second degree in another field, you would be paying a lot more money for your second degree. While double majoring, you can save money by completing a second degree alongside your first major. Although you might occasionally need to pay fees if you exceed the course maximum (at Geneva it is 18 credits, 21 if you are in honors), you will still end up saving a lot of money. If you are considering becoming qualified in another field, then you might want to consider saving yourself money by double majoring.

Con: Less room for electives – By filling up much of your courseload with major classes, you likely will not have a ton of room for elective courses. Many people enjoy taking elective courses outside of their major, and by double majoring, you simply do not have much room for elective courses. Similarly, you will not have a lot of space in your schedule, so even if you do have the time for an elective course, you might not be able to fit the course you want to take into your schedule. This can be one of the more frustrating aspects of double majoring.

Ultimately, I believe that double majoring can be a great option because it opens up many more opportunities and allows you to put your focus on multiple fields. While there is certainly great value in double majoring, it is valuable to be aware of some of the downsides of double majoring. If you are interested in pursuing a second major, start a conversation with your academic advisor or a professor in the field of your second major.

Mattigan Burleigh '24