Changing Your Major Without Losing What You Love

Kylie James arrived at Furman with a clear plan. She was going to study music education, sing, perform, and build a future rooted in music. But during her first year on campus, she realized something important was missing.

“I decided I missed the intellectual stimulation of physics and calculus,” Kylie shared. “So I chose to try Physics.”

For many students, that realization might feel like starting over. For Kylie, it became an opportunity to build something new without giving up what she loved.

Discovering a New Academic Passion

Switching majors was not a sudden decision. It came from reflection, curiosity, and the courage to listen to what she needed academically.

Kylie found herself craving the challenge and problem-solving that physics offered. She wanted to dive deeper into concepts that pushed her intellectually and creatively in a different way.

Choosing Physics as her major allowed her to rediscover that excitement while pairing it with a minor in Science Education, keeping the door open to teaching and mentorship.

Keeping Music at the Center of Kylie’s Life

Changing her major did not mean leaving music behind. Instead, Kylie found a way to bring both worlds together.

“I am still very much involved in the Music Department and feel like I got the best of both worlds,” she said.

She sings in Furman Singers, the university’s top choir, and continues taking voice lessons alongside her physics coursework. Music remains a core part of her identity and daily life.

Rather than choosing between creativity and science, Kylie learned that Furman gave her the flexibility to pursue both.

Finding Confidence in an Unexpected Path

Kylie’s journey reflects something many students experience in college: discovering that your first plan may not be your final one, and that is okay.

Her decision to change majors taught her to trust her curiosity and embrace growth. Furman’s academic flexibility and supportive environment allowed her to explore without feeling boxed in.

She did not have to choose between being a musician and being a scientist. She could be both.

Kylie’s Advice for Students Who Are Unsure

Kylie’s story is a reminder that college is not about having everything figured out on day one.

Her advice to future students is simple: listen to what excites you, stay open to change, and do not feel pressured to fit into one path.

At Furman, she found the freedom to pivot, explore, and create a college experience that reflects who she is becoming, not just who she thought she would be.