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Academic Exploration, Community Building and Learning Rethought—Uncommon Pathways in the College Experience!
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By Maya W on December 7, 2025
As an incoming college student, you may wonder: What routes can I take to make the most of my next four years? Today, we dive into uncommon paths in academic- and major-planning at college. Full disclaimer: Most non-traditional college experiences mentioned in this article are based on my own time at a liberal arts institution! Regardless, you may find the tips in this article helpful as you make decisions about your college journey.
Non-Traditional Learning
Many colleges offer experiential learning options, supplementing traditional classroom education with hands-on experience in a given topic. On top of regular schoolwork, colleges provide opportunities for students to work with institutions in the area and support community projects. Aside from local organizations, some colleges also partner with major employers to provide career experience that could translate to a job after graduation.
If your college does not include experiential learning programs, they may instead offer on-campus internships, research opportunities or the ability to count unpaid internships towards course credit. For languages in particular, immersion programs or study abroad provide tangible learning in place of classroom instruction. Learning languages in a real-life setting can build communication skills while you engage with the cultural context.
Academic Exploration
As a college student, certainty in a potential major can also shape your academic path. For students without a clear subject in mind, many colleges provide an option to create your own major. This process typically allows you to combine multiple classes under a given theme, despite your college officially lacking the major. Creating majors is particularly helpful if you apply for college without declaring a specific major–or, if you enter college with a particular major and realize the topic is not a good fit later on. For prospective students, further discussion with your admissions officer can provide clarity on the possibility of creating majors at your college.
For students interested in pursuing education beyond undergraduate studies, combined degree programs can expedite your learning. These programs typically offer continued study from undergraduate colleges directly into a masters with reduced time. Students with a set academic focus especially benefit from combined degree programs, as they may require intricate course planning early in your college experience. Some undergraduate institutions partner with other universities to allow you to apply for selective placements. Following this path, you may begin coursework for your master’s degree as an undergraduate student, taking on a challenging courseload. Alternatively, online accelerated degree programs are typically less prestigious, but equally cost- and time-effective.
Defining Your College Pathway
As you explore college, the pathways you choose may deviate from the examples listed in this article. To best understand the specific opportunities available at your college, consider reaching out to admissions officers or current students. At the very least, I hope the strategies for college planning mentioned above–even if not fully applicable to your circumstances–can serve as inspiration for pursuing your potential major, academic interests and career future in an unconventional manner.
Thank you to Milo D. for editing this article!
