Should You Declare a Minor?
If you’re interested in pursuing two areas of study, one option could be to declare a minor. There are several benefits to choosing a minor, but there are also some downsides to be aware of. For this reason, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if declaring a minor is the right option for you.
The Positives
First, let’s consider a few reasons why you might want to declare a minor.
Enhance Your Major
Many students choose a minor that relates to their major. This can help you stand out from others who studied the same major. The minor may also teach you skills that are beneficial to the industry in which you want to work — it could even be a necessity if you have a specific career in mind. However, make sure you do your research before you declare a minor, as it may be more appropriate to choose a double major in some circumstances.
More Career Options
There’s no need to have a specific career in mind to declare a minor. In fact, being unsure about what you want to do after you graduate could be a good reason for choosing a minor, as it will allow you to explore other areas of study.
Expand Your Area of Knowledge
There’s also no requirement for your minor to be similar to your major. You might even use the opportunity to study something completely different that you find interesting. This could improve your career prospects or simply give you the chance to pursue a subject that interests you. For instance, you could choose something that may not have enough job prospects to justify you choosing it as a major.
Demonstrate Your Work Ethic
Future employers will want to see that you’re more than just qualified for a position. Interviewers often ask candidates to provide evidence of skills such as time management. Declaring a minor is a great way to show that you have a strong work ethic.
The Negatives
The above may be compelling, but it’s equally important to consider the disadvantages of declaring a minor.
More Schoolwork
To gain good grades in both your major and minor, you’ll need to work extra hard. You’ll have to dedicate more time to classes and studying, and you may have more exams than other students. If your minor adds to your workload to the extent you find it difficult to keep up with the schoolwork for your major, it may not be worthwhile.
Higher Expenses
A minor could mean you pay more for classes, books, and extra tuition. It also makes it less likely that you’ll be able to work a part-time job to finance your education.
Longer to Graduate
To keep up with the added demands of the minor, you may decide the best course of action is to graduate later. This could put you at a slight disadvantage to those who graduate ahead of you (and enter the workforce that much sooner), which could be demotivating.
If you do decide to declare a minor, you’ll need to be prepared to put in more effort and study hard. To be successful, you’ll need a comfortable, distraction-free place to study. Since this is the opposite of what you get while living on campus, many of those who declare a minor decide to live in student apartments. Ottawa students have The Revalie. Whether you live in a one-bedroom or bachelor suite or share an apartment with between one and three other students, you’ll have the private space you need to focus. In addition, you can use the onsite study areas and lounges. Join our VIP list to be the first to hear about updates when a suite becomes available.