Academic Counseling and Registration Session for 13 th Platoon

1. Academic Counseling and Registration Session for 13th Platoon Advisors: Associate Professor Paul Miller, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering (Group 1) Associate Professor Catherine O’Neil – Language Studies (Group 3) Goals for this Session (first of two before classes start) Intros, course choices, validations, academic opportunities

2. ACR Session Validation questions for department representatives - 1425-1445 Plebe Academic Advising Sheet Varsity Sports – time commitment ECA – typically less time commitment Majors – “Engineering”, “Math/Science”, “Hum/SS” or more specific, e.g. “Russian”, “Aero”

3. USNA Academics Similar to civilian schools, same accreditation, similar academic workload and difficulty to Ivy League schools, fewer hours available to study, so more challenging… But, more resources available! The trick is “time management”!

4. Validations and Credit Hours Due to a high exam score or grade (AP, placement, transcript) you may opt to not take that course if it is required in your major matrix. You may still take it and get credit. You still need to have at least 15 credits/semester and 139-145 credits to graduate. Credits are abbreviated as Lecture Hours-Lab Hours-Credit Hours per week (e.g. 3-0-3 or 2-2-3 or 3-2-4 or…)

5. TYPICAL PLEBE YEAR

6. MATHEMATICS (SM)

7. Chemistry (SC)

8. ENGLISH (HE)

9. LEADERSHIP, ETHICS, LAW (NL)SEAMANSHIP, NAVIGATION (NS/NN)POLITICAL SCIENCE (FP)HISTORY (HH)

10. FIRST SEMESTER COURSES - CLASS OF 2014

11. First Semester Courses - Class of 2014 Continued

12. First Semester Courses - Class of 2014 Continued

13. PRE-REGISTRATION 2014

14. Questions? Talk to Squad Leader if urgent (validations, course selection) and ask them to get you in contact with us. Or, see you in a week! Stay cool!

15. Academic Adivising Session for 13th Platoon Advisors: Associate Professor Paul Miller, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering (Group 1) Associate Professor Catherine O’Neil – Language Studies (Group 3)

16. Goals for Today Learn your fall semester schedules Introduce Plebe Academic Handbook Discuss academic expectations Review strategies for academic success Discuss where to go for help Questions

17. MIDS

18. What can I use MIDS for? Pre-register and register for classes Get your class schedule Get your professors’ schedules Get final exam schedule Query grades and other academic info Provide excusals for absences Compare matrices for majors Read MAPRs … and more!

19. Getting your Schedule

20. Your Schedule May say STAFF Class Time Lab Time Class Room Lab Room No scheduled classes

21. Schedule Codes • Days of the Week • M = Monday • T = Tuesday • W = Wednesday • R = Thursday • F = Friday • Buildings • CH = Chauvenet • LJ = Lejeune • LU = Luce • MD = Macdonough • MA = Mahan • MI = Michelson • MU = Maury • NI = Nimitz • RI = Rickover • SA = Sampson

22. Michelson Hall (Chemistry) Chauvenet Hall (Math) Luce Hall (Leadership, Seamanship) Sampson Hall (English, History)

23. Daily Schedule • Period Duration • 1 0755-0845 • 2 0855-0945 • 3 0955-1045 • 4 1055-1145 • 5 1330-1420 • 6 1430-1520 • 1530-1620 • 8 0755-0910 • 9 0955-1110 • 10 1330-1445 Normal Academic Day Seldom used (some long labs) 75 min periods 2 = 3 hrs/wk

24. Weekly Calendar View

25. Caution Schedules can change right up to the first day of classes. Use MIDS to check on your schedule just before classes begin.

26. Questions about Schedules? In what building do Math classes meet? In what building do English classes meet? What is one of your 3-hour courses? What is one of your 4-hour courses? How many “open” periods do you have in a week?

28. Info available! Help available!

30. Plebe Academic Handbook • Academic Calendar, inside front cover • Preregistration, 14 – 18 Sep • Academic Reserve (Exam) Periods • 6 and 12 week grade submission dates • Registration 23, Nov – 12 Dec • Academic departments, locations and phone numbers, pgs. 2 – 3 • Validation, pg. 7 • Help with academic problems, pgs. 7 – 9

31. Plebe Academic Handbook • Computers, pgs.11 – 14 • Using MIDS • Getting help or getting it fixed • Attendance Requirements, pg. 16 • Computation of Grades, pg. 16 • Academic Honors, Deficiencies, Academic Board, Special Opportunities pgs. 17 – 22 • USNA Statement on Plagiarism, pg. 23

32. How are Academics at USNA different from those in High School? • More competition for your time. • Faster pace. • Higher expectations. • Analytical or critical thinking skills • Writing skills • Mathematical skills • Greater freedom to mess up. • More time between quizzes or major assignments • Professors expect you to be responsible

33. What do professors expect? • EFFORT! • Be prepared for class (read ahead) • Turn in quality work (neat and on time) • Show interest (even if you fake it) • Show respect to professor and classmates • On-time and awake! • Communication • About how to make up missed work • About what to do when you need help

34. What does my Professor Expect? • Most will tell you on day 1 • Pay attention to their stated preferences, pet peeves, etc. • Read the Course Policy Statement for information on • Course objectives, requirements, etc. • Homework Policy • Test Policy • Grading Policy

35. Course Policy Statements • ACDEANINST 1531.58: • instructor/department grading policy • homework policy including collaboration • preference on formats • quizzes • departmental/instructor examinations • extra instruction procedures • classroom work • laboratory work (if applicable) • course objectives

36. Questions about Expectations? What does a section leader do? Can you drink or eat in class? Is it important to read your textbooks? Is your homework graded? What happens if you turn in an assignment late? How are your grades calculated?

37. Time Management So many things to do. So little time. So what?

38. Typical 4/C Weekly Schedule How many hours should I be studying? When will I find the time? FP130 FP130 FP130 SC111 SC111 SC111 SC111 NS101 NS101 SC111 NS101 Free Periods (10 hrs) Study Pds (18 hrs) Weekends (10 hrs) Guideline: 2 hours for each hour in class. SM131 NL110 SM131 NL110 SM131 Home Football Game HE111 HE111 HE111 Physical Mission Period 19 hours in class. Need ~ 38 study hours. Forrestal Lecture

39. Basics of Time Management • To Do List • Your memory will fail. Write assignments down. • Consolidate assignments onto one list. • Include the due dates. • Daily calendar • Discipline yourself to use it. • Recurring events should be placed on the calendar once. • Paper calendars have mobility advantages. • Plan • Look at your To Do List and Calendar and plan when you will accomplish the events on them. • Otherwise they are actually a waste of your time.

40. Strategies for Academic Success http://intranet.usna.edu/AcCenter/documents.htm

41. Tips to Success at the U. S. Naval Academy A Baker’s Dozen 1. Sit in the front row and pay attention in class. 2. Start working hard the very first day. Don't fall behind. 3. Stay awake. Stand if necessary. 4. Do all the assignment before going to class skim for major points then read for details. 5. Make sure you grasp basic concepts as you go along. Ask questions about what you don't understand. 6. Participate in class. Don't let anything go by that you don't understand. 7. Learn from questions asked by others. Pay attention to what is going on. 8. Take good notes in class. Class notes help you understand what the professor wants. 9. Be sure to copy down problem types and examples given in class. 10. Organize your notes as soon as possible after class. Fill in the blanks. 11. Arrange for extra instruction (EI) if you start falling behind or, as you become confused. Go at the first sign of difficulty. 12. Study and review with others. Begin your review for exams at least one week before the exam date. 13. Study subjects you like later than the ones you don't.

42. Problem Solving Courses • Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Statics, Dynamics, EE, Boats, Steam, Weapons, Navigation…. • Rule 1: Always do your class assignments • Rule 2: Be an active Participant during class When all else fails, see Rule 1

43. Non-Problem Solving Courses Repeat • History, Poly Sci, English, Leadership, Ethics, Naval Science • SQ3R System • Survey • Question • Read • Recite • Review

44. Questions about Study Skills How much should I study? Where should I study? What about group study? Should I take notes? How? How do I get EI? How should I prepare for EI? How should I prepare for tests?

45. What if I need help? Getting in trouble Getting back out

46. Academic Deficiency have a semester QPR below 1.50. fail two or more courses in one semester. fail any course after having failed two or more courses previously. fail to earn a 2.00 in summer school. fail to remove probation. fail to fulfill any condition as prescribed by the Academic Board as the result of a previous deficiency. fail to successfully complete all requirements for graduation by the end of that semester in which you are scheduled to graduate. fall two or more courses behind the number of courses required by the end of a given semester according to that major's matrix. fail to achieve the required standards in prescribed summer training. deficient in physical education at the end of a semester or receive failing grades in conduct and military performance. fail a remedial course such as HE101, SM005 or HE344.

47. Getting Help • START EARLY — as soon as you think you need it. • EI — The first resort! Call, email or visit your professor. • Ask other mids — But don’t just copy their work. • MGSP — Group Study led by a mid. A process, not a quick fix. • Department Resources: • Chemistry Resource Center: MI100 • Math Lab: CH130 • Writing Center: SAG20 • Academic Center • Plebe Intervention Program (by invitation) • Plebe Advising Program • Learning Skills Program • Extra Help Classes (Math, Chemistry, Physics) • Evening Tutoring • Chaplains, MDC, Medical

48. What’s Next? • Parents’ Weekend: 7 – 9 Aug • Computer Issue: 13 Aug • Majors Briefings: 17 – 19 Aug (and up to March) • Classes Begin: 24 Aug • Pre-registration: 11 – 18 Sep • You must meet with your advisor first to get approval for your spring courses • We’ll be sending you email and arranging meetings, probably in the Company wardroom

49. Closing Thoughts! This is your college education. You will need to work hard but you can succeed. Your instructors are pulling for you. Get organized, challenge yourself and have some fun!