You are not alone in this new journey!  Fellow students and advisers have practical advice to offer, regarding classes, registration, appointments, and your overall experience.  Print the handout below for reference.  Check web links included!

Tips for –

Your classes…

About registration…

Your overall experience…

Your advising appointments…

Your classes…

• Go to class – they take attendance.
  

• Be on time – avoid disrupting the instructor.

• Read your books, even if they don't talk about it in class.  The material is usually on tests.

• Look often at the class syllabus to stay on top of things, as well as to understand options and projects.  Use the Gopher Guide to plan study time, and look ahead to exams.

• Do talk to the instructor and/or TA if you have any concern or problem with a class, even a grade.  They are very approachable.

• Try to develop a study group, especially if you attend a particularly large class.

• Visit SMART Learning Commons, for one-on-one academic support.  It’s free, and a fourth location is opening soon:  http://smart.umn.edu/

• Plan to study BEFORE the ‘night before’ a test.  Doing everything just the night prior may not work, and then leave you so tired it’s hard to function.

• Keep track of your grades on-line and/or with your instructor.  Log-in under One Stop’s Quick Links:  http://onestop.umn.edu/

• Explore outstanding online and pod-cast resources for study skills and success strategies.  Check out both links below.  Take a moment to visit Student Academic Success Services, and/or University Counseling & Consulting Services, in Eddy Hall.

http://www.uccs.umn.edu/counseling/self_service/study.htm

http://www.osa.umn.edu/podcasts/

About registration…

• Look to include a certain variety of subjects in your class schedule.  You can make progress with requirements, explore interests (for major, minor, and/or career), and simply keep the semester exciting! 

• Check your APAS (degree audit) to understand degree requirements and view your progress.  One Stop’s Quick Links:  http://onestop.umn.edu/

• Try “Grad Planner” to explore timeline options and requirements for specific majors and minors.  Log-in under One Stop’s Quick Links:  http://onestop.umn.edu/

• Use Class Search (in One Stop) to find courses to meet specific Liberal Education requirements.  Look under One Stop’s Quick Links:  http://onestop.umn.edu/

• Take a language or composition course.  This can often incorporate a smaller sized class into your schedule.  You can make the most of your Second Language study experience (and even consider going abroad, and earning credit:  http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/ ).

• Take a course on something you don’t know much about – expand your horizons!

• Wait until after your freshman year to take 3xxx – 5xxx level courses.  Otherwise, be sure to check-in with your adviser for insight and reassurance with your choices.

• Register in a timely way as soon as your queue starts.  Talk with an adviser well ahead, to then effectively plan your options.  Check One Stop for the date/time when you are personally assigned to register.  One Stop’s Quick Links:  http://onestop.umn.edu/

• Make clear note of Refund and Drop/Add Deadlines:  http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Calendars/Refund_and_DropAdd_Deadlines.html

Your overall experience…

• Communicate with your CLA community adviser AND major departmental adviser AND CCLC career counselor.  Each adviser has unique and necessary resources to offer, and together, you can take great steps in reaching your goals.

• Refer to One Stop – you’ll find extensive resources here:  http://onestop.umn.edu

• Know that your overall health and well-being matters… and advisers care.  Take a moment to browse many links gathered on this page – for you or a friend:  http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu/

• Be sure to check your U of MN email account. Your advisers (and the University) will provide important messages via email
  

• Go to the CCLC – your Career and Community Learning Center – in 135 Johnston and 345 Fraser Halls.  You can simply walk-in:  http://www.cclc.umn.edu/

• Seize opportunities to apply learning outside the classroom setting:  study groups, volunteering, service-learning courses, internships, and more.  You can start exploring what you want to do after graduating.  You can meet new people and friends too!

• Take note and attend informational programs on majors, careers, study abroad, and more!  Check for events (and RSVP) through the CCLC, departments, colleges, and your CLA student community.  Try these links to get started:

All U of MN departments:    

http://www1.umn.edu/systemwide/directories/

Career and Community Learning Center (CCLC): 

http://www.cclc.umn.edu/newsandevents/index.html

Learning Abroad Center (LAC):

http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/academic/FirstStepSchedule.html

College of Education and Human Development (CEHD):

http://cehd.umn.edu/students/Undergrad/Transfer/default.html

• Browse your CLA student community web site for special opportunities and updates, related to your ‘major’ area of interest.  

• Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) posted on CLA’s Advising Web:  http://www.class.umn.edu/faq.html    More questions?... Feel free to follow-up with the Student Information Office (612-625-2020 in 49 Johnston Hall), or directly with your CLA student community adviser.

Your advising appointments… Prepare!

• What are your goals?  Look ahead long and short term.

• What do you like to learn about?  Note some personal academic interests.

• Describe experiences with your current classes?

• Have you been encouraged by any particular accomplishments?

• Are you experiencing any particular challenges, or personal obstacles?

• Have you considered specific opportunities outside the classroom?

• What courses do you have in mind for next term or upcoming semesters?

• Have you looked at your APAS (degree audit)?  http://onestop.umn.edu/

• Have you tried Graduation Planner?  http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Degree_Planning/Graduation_Planner.html

• Do you have any questions about the University?

• What other questions might you have??