DeKALB | College students with double majors may run into difficulties when scheduling classes each semester.

Students should ask themselves a number of questions before declaring two majors, said academic adviser Steven Barleen.

“Students should always ask why they want to have a double major and how long they’re willing to stay here,” he said. They must also consider what benefits would be gained from having a double major, what the purpose of having a double major would be and whether or not internships and extracurricular activities will result in the same amount of experience as a double major, he said.

Many double majors compliment each other with the number of credit hours needed, while others may prove to be trickier.

“Some majors require certain credits. A major that requires 35 to 40 hours can be complimentary with another major that requires the same amount of hours,” Barleen said. “Some majors are so intense in the amount of credit hours required that the schedule can get very full and fitting other classes can be difficult.”

The potential difficulties should not scare students away from declaring two majors, he said.

Students can work out a plan with their advisers to successfully complete both majors in the time they desire, he said. This way, they can see which classes overlap each other and when the best time would be to take them.

“A good strategy would be to utilize community colleges in the summer or stay here for classes,” he said. “A lot of credits can be taken in the summer.”

Lucy Sosa, a senior majoring in Spanish translation and business and sociology, said her first time registering as a double major helped her learn how to plan for what classes she needs to take.

“The first adviser I met realized I had enrolled late and was unable to get into two classes,” she said. “That was so stressful. I realized that day I had entered into a different culture. I made sure to stay alert from then on so I could get into the classes I needed.”

Organization and preparing to deal with conflicts that may arise helps a lot when enrolling for classes, Sosa said. Also, being an honors student allows her to register early.

“I bring my graduation plan to my meetings with my advisers in both the foreign language department and sociology,” Sosa said. “Having my entire academic career at NIU typed on a piece of paper for the adviser to peruse has proven to be helpful to both of us.”