Navigating College Success: Academic Expectations and Advisement

1. Academic Expectations and Advisement success in college

2. What issuccess in college? • Learning and Understanding • Content knowledge, coursework • Skills: critical thinking, writing, speaking • Degree & Career • graduate from college • with a high grade point average (GPA), 3.0+ • discover best degree & career fit for you • Personal Growth • well-founded view of self and world • well-rounded community and world citizen

3. “You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.”- Dr. Seuss Individual effort We each need help, of some kind, at some point. “A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and life is after all a chain.”- William James

4. Resources 1 • Learning & understanding your coursework • Professor • office hours; sooner rather than later • Teaching Assistants • Academic Skills Center • South Wing 100, 310 • Tutors, Workshops • Study group with other students • get to know others • Disabilities & Accessibility Office

5. Resources 2 • Progress to degree and career • Degree Works • Psychology Department • Psychology Dept informational meetings • Internships, Research experience, Preparing for graduate school • Volunteer & Service-Learning Center • Career Development Center • Academic Advisor

6. Academic Advisement • Ongoing process throughout college • Who: Right now, you have two! • Academic Commons Professional Adviser • General college issues • Faculty Adviser—Name is in Banner • Everything related to psychology • After your first year, you will transition away from Academic Commons and meet only with your department adviser

7. Academic Advisement • What: not just picking classes • plan successful progress toward graduation • understand college policies, degree requirements • identify resources for academic or related issues • career planning • graduate school preparation • When: as needed • 1-2 weeks before registration • Workshop sessions • whenever needed for educational and career planning • at least once a year • not required before registering • How: come prepared • review Degree Works status • list of courses you are interested in taking • check prerequisites • list of questions you may have • forms needing a signature

8. Resources 3 • For personal growth • Weigel Health Center • Medical, Dental, Mental Health • Fitness Center, regular exercise • Eat healthily, get sleep - naps  • Get connected, be involved on campus • Student Life Office, Clubs, Events • Bengal Connect • Community & Global Engagement • Service Learning, Diversity courses • National Student Exchange, Study Abroad • Go just outside your comfort zone • Social support network • Friends, Family, Mentors, Role models

9. Expectations: What Predicts Success? • Intelligence… yes, but not as strong a factor as some believe • Work Ethic • Self-discipline: attend every class, do reading ahead of class, complete all assignments • Work Hard: put in 3 hours out of class for every 1 hour in class • Work Smart: use effective study techniques, accurately assess current knowledge • Learning Goals • Focus on why, how Deep vs. surface • Really know it Mastery vs. cramming • Develop internal motivation Intrinsic vs. external “bribes” • Mind-set of belonging in college • only 8% of students leave college for financial reasons • lack of academic preparation • emotional & social disengagement • perseverance, “grit”, learn from mistakes or failures • self-doubt, “imposter”  academics as part of your identity

10. End Result: Goals Accomplished • Successful academically • Learned lots of interesting and useful things • Degree in-hand • On track for a fulfilling and appropriate career • Thoughtful, confident, well-rounded person • Can define, plan for, and achieve your future goals