Fish Camp 2009 CREW presents

1. Fish Camp 2009 CREW presents Academic Excellence Tips on How to Be a Successful Student at Texas A&M University

2. Howdy Portal • Log in using your NetID and password

3. Howdy Portal Checking Your Grades • Click the MyRecord tab • On the right side of the screen, click a link to view an unofficial copy of your transcript

4. Howdy Portal • Click “Generate Transcript” to see your grades (including hours transferred from high school)

5. Checking eLearning • Click on eLearning icon at top of screen • Use this site for checking homework, calendars, and information for certain classes

6. Registering for Classes • Click the “I agree” box under the “Terms of Use” for registration. • A drop-down menu will appear with links to look up classes, add/drop classes, look at your current schedule, etc. • To research open spots in classes, click “Look Up Classes”

7. Registering for Classes • Click “Submit” (for current semester and College Station) Select by course prefix, number, and more.

8. Registering for Classes • View open classes and times

9. Checking Email • Click on email icon in top navigation bar • TAMU email login site pops up • Log in with your NetID and password

10. I wish I knew what Add/Drop meant • The process during registration when courses are added to your schedule and/or dropped from your schedule • Only lasts for the first few days of class • Last day to add/drop classes for Fall ‘09: • Friday, September 4th at 5pm

11. I wish I knew what a Q-Drop was Q • It’s the process of dropping a course after the designated add/drop period without any penalty. • You are allowed 3 Q-drops during your career at A&M. • Any class you Q-Drop though will still be on your transcript, but it will be marked with a Q so it is understood that your grade was not factored in to your GPA. • Last day to Q-Drop a class in Fall ‘09: • November 6th at 5pm

12. I wish I knew what a First Year Grade Exclusion was • A student may choose to exclude a course from his/her undergraduate career and cumulative GPR taken within their first 12 months at Texas A&M in which they receive a D,F, or U. • This exclusion shall be permitted for up to a maximum of three courses taken for credit at Texas A&M University during the twelve-month period beginning with the student's initial enrollment at Texas A&M. • http://admissions.tamu.edu/Registrar/Current/GradeExPolicy.aspx

13. Helpful Academic Hints • Talk to your professors. Get to know them! • Come finals, if you are borderline B/C or C/D for your final grade in a class it helps if they remember you and your efforts to be successful • “Blue Book” • A ruled paper booklet used in some classes for essay tests • They can be purchased at numerous places around campus • “Walk” • When your class is cancelled by your professor/instructor/T.A. (Teacher’s Assistant) • …Only for the day, not the week • S.I. is the abbreviation for “Supplemental Instruction” • S.I. is held about 3 times a week for 50 minutes for many introductory level classes. In each session you will review the information covered in your class. All S.I.’s are led by students who have previously taken the course and received an A in the course. • Office hours • Designated times that the professor has set aside for their students to meet with them in their office. You can address any concerns you might have during this time. Use this opportunity!!

14. Paying Tuition • Click on “AggiE-Pay - College Station” at bottom right of main menu, in “Billing Services” box • Click semester of choice to view/make payments

15. Viewing Financial Aid • Click on the “MyFinancialAid Student Portal” link • This allows you to view accepted and unaccepted financial aid.

16. Viewing Financial Aid

17. Writing CORRECTLY • The University Writing Center (UWC) has two locations: the 2nd floor of Evans Library and West Campus Library • The consultants offer students thorough and extensive feedback on their writing. • Appointments can be made online or over the phone and last no longer than 45 minutes (only one appointment per day). • http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/

18. Evans Library OPEN ‘TIL MIDNIGHT Perfect for some quiet study bidnes

19. Evans Library Annex 24-hour access to study rooms

20. Student Computing Center (SCC) OPEN 24 HOURS Perfect for your late night needs

21. West Campus Library (WCL) OPEN 24 HOURS! Stuck on West Campus? Why go home when you can study?!

22. Library Study Rooms • As a Texas A&M student, you can use Study Rooms in any library! • To do this: • Walk up to the front desk • Request a single or group study room, and they will tell you what is available, and for how long. You may have to wait if they’re in high demand. • Enjoy your quiet study session!

23. Rentals from the Library • Amazon Kindle • Available on loan from the library • Available for 14 days with no renewals • Textbooks • Textbooks are purchased by the Libraries each Fall and Spring semester and placed on Reserve at the appropriate campus library • These books can be checked out for 4 hours per visit and taken out of the library • Laptops • Laptops are available for checkout at the Evans Library and Annex, West Campus Library, and Medical Sciences Library • They can be checked out for 4 hours per visit and cannot be removed from the library

24. How to Check Out Movies from the Annex • Educational Media Services (EdMS) is located on the 4th floor of the Evans Library Annex • Films, books on CD, Music CDs, and books on Kindle can all be rented from EdMS • All rentals require a TAMU student ID and can only be renewed in person or by e-mailing EdMS Staff • Loan limits are: • Films: 3 days (limit 3 movies) • Books on CD: 14 days • Music: 3 days (limit 3 CDs) • Books on Amazon Kindle: 14 days; no renewals

25. Time Management Tips • Buy and USE a planner • Keep a “To-Do” list • Quality versus Quantity – it is better to study 30 minutes each day than to study 4 hours in one day • Review your work as soon as possible – you forget what you learn within the first hour

26. Career Center • They can help you in your search for employment, including full-time jobs, cooperative education, and internships. • They are located in Koldus 209 (2nd floor). • Koldus is right across from Rudder Tower, G. Rollie White Coliseum, and the MSC.

27. Random Helpful Hints • Rudder couches are perfect for napping! • Rudder couches are perfect for napping! • 15 minute parking DOES NOT mean 16 minute parking! • Buy an umbrella (or 7). Carry it everyday… even if the forecast is “200 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, 0% chance of rain.”

28. Fin QUESTIONS????