MSU – A great place for those uncertain about their majors!

1. The many, the proud…those in the process of choosing a major! MSU – A great place for those uncertain about their majors!

2. You’re not “undecided”…You’re in the process of choosing a major!

3. Our choices develop our character – and our character determines our choices. Steps toward major choice: Take courses of interest in general education.

4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey • Reinterpreted as: The 7 Habits of Effective College Students

5. Habit 1: Be Proactive • Take responsibility for your chosen actions • Values & Goals • Respect • Active learning • The SLANT System: • Sit up straight • Lean forward • Act interested • Nod head • Track with eyes Choosing a major is an active process—don’t wait for inspiration to strike!

6. Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. • Set goals and have a mission for your life • Motivation - things that direct you • Internal • External • Passive Learning

7. Explore Your Options! What you should know about being undecided/exploratory: • Taking some time to explore your major options is normal and healthy • Missouri State offers approximately 150 different majors • 1/3 of entering students at Missouri State University are “undecided” • About half of the students who enter MSU with declared majors will change their majors—at least once! • Students who start as undecided are twice as likely to stay with their major once they declare. • Many resources exist to help students make satisfactory choices about majors and careers

8. Resources to help with major choice: • Your academic advisor will specialize in working with exploratory students • The Majors Fair on September 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in PSU ballroom • Academic Advisement Center web site http://www.missouristate.edu/advising/58894.htm“Help! I need a major!” • The Career Center • IDS 120 • “Have you seen this major?” Featured major twice a month • Major Mentors

9. Habit 3: Put First Things First • Set goals • Do first the things that are most important to reaching your goals • “Life Leadership” • Start a study planner

11. The First-Year Experience at MSU • Learn about the Public Affairs Mission • GEP 101, First-Year Foundations • Common Reader: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks • Curricular Learning Communities • Integrated Service-Learning • Living-Learning Communities • Get Involved--Collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement, and many other offices! • We want to provide you the skills and knowledge you to be a successful first-year student!

12. Curricular Learning Communities • Linked and integrated courses! Get to know your peers, and instructors, inside & outside the classroom! • In fall 2011 we are offering 20 cohorts of linked courses for our curricular learning communities.  The most common LC is GEP 101, First-Year Foundations, combined with English Composition or Public Speaking. However, many other options are available; see your handbook for more information.

13. Living-Learning Communities What is a living-learning community? • A living learning community is a residential education unit allowing students to transition seamlessly between their academic and residential environments. 

14. Why Living-Learning Communities? • Interact with faculty on a regular basis outside the classroom • Engage in academic activities that enhance learning • Meet with students with diverse backgrounds • Have opportunities to participate in social, cultural, and civic activities • Receive guidance in developing study skills, time management, personal wellness, and other tips to survive and thrive in your first year away from home!

15. Habit 4: Think Win/WinHow can we both win? • Seek mutual benefit in interdependent relationships • Don’t give up!

16. Your advisor can help you: • Understand degree and general education requirements. • Use campus resources through referrals. • Make course and academic program decisions. • Think through your educational goals.

17. Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then be understood. • Try to see an issue from the other person’s point of view… • then be understood

18. Two ways to “see things from the other person’s Point Of View”…

19. Citizenship & Service-Learning(CASL) An academic program which integrates meaningful “hands-on” community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. “Out of the classroom and into the community”

20. Two types of service-learning: Component and Integrated

21. Component Students have the option to earn an additional hour of academic credit by providing 40 hours of service with a nonprofit, government, or public benefit agency. Similar to a “mini internship.”

22. Integrated Service-learning is embedded into a course and all students participate, providing a minimum of 15 hours of service related to coursework.

23. Benefits of Participation • Test career choices • Gain “real world” experience • Build résumé • Apply theories and concepts learned in the classroom • Contacts & references • Make a difference Those with relevant work experience get 50% more interviewing opportunities and offers; and a $7,500 higher starting salary. (Missouri State Career Center)

24. Follow Your Passion. Find Your Place.

25. Why Study Away? • Broaden your world view • Meet new people and learn about other cultures • Learn another language • Get credit toward your degree • Enhance your competitiveness in the global job market • Travel for a week, a summer, a semester, or even a year! Michelle Janssen, France 2010

26. Am I Eligible to Study Away? • Full-Time MSU Student • 2.5 GPA (some programs may require a higher GPA) • Sophomore Status—completed at least 30 credit hours at MSU Kreg Selvey, Ecuador 2010

27. Habit 6: Synergize • When the joint effort or project of a group is more than what one person can do alone in a reasonable time • Valuedifferent opinions, viewpoints, and perspectives when seeking solutions

31. The Learning Commons

32. 1st floor Meyer

33. Supplemental Instruction

34. Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw • Engage in continuous improvement in the physical, mental, spiritual, and social/emotional dimensions of your life • Balance is necessary!