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How-To Guide: Steps to a Liberal Arts Degree

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How-To Guide: Plan Your Course Load

How-To Guide: Change Grading Options

Society and Culture Student Community
In addition to examining your course syllabi, below is week by week list of things you might consider doing as you progress through the semester in order to make your academic experience more successful.

Week 1 – September 2 – 8

  • Keep in mind that you can add and/or drop courses this week without needing instructor or college permission.
  • Review syllabi and determine what will be expected of you in each of your courses throughout the term.
  • Buy your books.
  • If you are working, establish you work schedule and request that it stay regular throughout the semester. Talk with your employer early regarding schedule adjustments based on busy times in your semester.
  • Use your Gopher Guide or planner to write down when each assignment is due throughout the semester.

Week 2 – September 9 – 15

  • Keep in mind that you can drop courses this week without needing instructor or college permission. You can also still change your grade base without needing permission.
  • You need instructor permission to add a class. Carefully consider the consequences of adding any courses at this point. It may be too late to make up the missing work. Ask yourself: Is the course you wish to add a better choice than the one you want to drop?

Week 3-5 – September 16 – October 6

  • Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
  • Utilize any necessary resources such as the writing center, tutors, University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS), your academic advisor, instructors' office hours and help from your peers in the classes.
  • Consider attending Fresh Start study skills/time managements sessions, offered by your CLA Student Community.
  • Visit the Learning and Academic Skills Center through UCCS.

Week 6-7 – October 7 – 20

  • Phone the Society and Culture Student Community – 612-624-2549  to schedule an appointment to meet with an adviser in the next couple of weeks. You must meet with an advisor to have a probation hold moved forward to register for the next term.
  • Prepare for the appointment with your academic adviser. Things you may want to bring with you:
    • Questions or concerns regarding your current registration.
    • A general idea of how you are doing in each of your classes. It would be a good idea to check with each of your instructors about your grade thus far.  Be accurate and realistic – is it time to consider withdrawing from a course?
    • Ideas of courses to take next semester.
  • Create a study schedule for your midterms.

Week 8 – October 21 – 27

  • Last week to drop a semester-long class or classes without college permission. After the 8th week you will need to use your one-time-only withdrawal from one course OR petition due to verifiable, extenuating circumstances. The last day to drop a class without permission is October 27, 2008.

Week 9-10 – October 28 – November 10

  • Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
  • If you have not done well on papers or exams thus far, or if you wish to do better, discuss this with your instructor or TA. Find out if they can help you with suggestions regarding study practices that may be helpful.
  • Go over assignments or exams with the instructor or TA.
  • Utilize any necessary resources such as the writing center, tutors, UCCS, your academic advisor, instructors' office hours and help from your peers in the classes.

Week 11 – November 11 – 17

  • You should have met with your adviser by this time in the semester and your probation hold will be moved forward so that you are able to register for spring.
  • Look at the spring 2009 class schedule and think about ideas for registration.
  • Check your account on-line to see if you have other holds that would prevent registration for next term and attend to getting those cleared.
  • If you have not yet met with an adviser and can not get an appointment, you may consider attending a Probation Session to have your hold moved forward. Phone the Society and Culture Student Community for dates, times, and locations of the sessions.

Week 12-13 – November 18 – December 1

  • Registration begins about now. 
  • Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
  • Utilize any necessary resources such as the writing center, tutors, University Counseling and Consulting Services, your academic advisor, instructors' office hours and help from your peers in the classes.
  • Register for spring 2009 classes, if you have not yet done so.
  • Look at final exam schedule.
  • Adjust your work schedule if necessary to accommodate for your final exams.

Week 14 – December 2 – 8

  • Create a study schedule and organize all of your materials for final exams.
  • Begin review for final exams.

Week 15 – December 9 – 10

  • Drop classes using your one-time-only withdrawal or a complete exit, if necessary – you have until the last day of instruction (December 10) to do this, but it must be completed before the end of the business day in room 122 Johnston Hall.
  • Create a review schedule for final exams.

Finals week – December 12 – 18

  • Adhere to your study schedule.
  • Integrate short (15 minute) breaks after every two-hour study block.
  • Vary your study style. Re-read materials for an hour; take notes or review flashcards for the next hour.
  • Plan one or two study sessions with students in class.
  • Outline topics in writing.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Eat proper meals.
  • Get to your exam location 15 minutes early to settle in.


 Student Community Contact Information
 Society and Culture Student Community
122 Johnston Hall, 101 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

E-Mail
sac@class.cla.umn.edu

Phone
612.624.2549
612.626.0022 (Fax)

Hours
8 - 4:30 M-F

Majors this community serves

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