GRADUATE IN GRADUATE IN FOURFOUR

MAKING A SUCCESSFUL MAKING A SUCCESSFUL

TRANSITIONTRANSITIONINTO COLLEGEINTO COLLEGE

FIRSTS

The EMU Experience

Welcome to college

What really matters in college?

What are the key degree requirements?

How do I go about getting advice to help me make good decisions?

What specific recommendations should I know about to help navigate registering for classes today?

How do I create and maintain a program for success?

WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN COLLEGE?

A bachelor’s degree is the best and most powerful preparation for:

1) A productive career; and

2) Dealing with life’s challenges

Employers say “it takes more than a major” to prosper in an economy that is constantly changingEmployees must be able to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems

Degree requirements

Earn a minimum total of 124 credit hours

General Education Program requirements

Major and Minor requirements

General Electives

NOTE: Courses with numbers below 100 will not be counted towards this total

ADVISINGGoing it alone

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Deciding on a major

It’s okay to be undecided Once decided, it’s okay to change your mind and switch majors

However, switching majors on a whim without receiving guidance may:

Delay your graduation Increase your tuition bills

NOTE: Seek out a Career Coach in the University Advising and Career Development Center (UACDC).

Graduate in four years?

Must take AT LEAST 30-32 credit hours per year

Take15 credit hours Fall and Winter semesters and/or Take additional credit hours during the Summer

NOTE: A minimum of 12 credit hours is required to be considered a full-time student. Some

financial aid may require 15 credit hours to be considered a full-time student.

SEEKING ACCURATE ADVICE

Seek out accurate information on important degree requirements

Online catalog 2014-15 Online class schedules my.emich Student Advising tabs Academic Advisors

NOTE: Meet with advisors – early and often!

General Education program

Effective Communication Written Communication and Oral Communication

Quantitative Reasoning

Perspectives on a Diverse World Global Awareness and U.S. Diversity

Knowledge of the Disciplines Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The first two semesters

Take ENGL 121 (Written Communication) or CTAC 124 (Oral Communication) your first semester and plan to take the other your second semester

Take the necessary steps towards satisfying the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) requirement

NOTE: EMU students completing these requirements their first year have much higher GPAs and graduation rates.

MORE “FIRST” DECISIONS TO MAKE

Consider registering for a first-year experience … referred to as Successful Starters

If decided on a major, take any courses recommended for that major

Take additional Gen Ed courses to fill out your schedule

Create a plan – follow the plan!

Create a Plan for Create a Plan for Success Success

EMU will provide students EMU will provide students with high-impact learning with high-impact learning

experiences and then support experiences and then support them to reach their full them to reach their full

potentialpotential

CLASSROOM SUCCESS

Classroom success

• Be proactive about setting yourself up for a successful first semester

• Meet instructors during office hours – sooner rather than later

• Gain access to all materials and read all materials – ask questions

• Learn to self-assess and seek help – many support services available at no additional charge

STUDENT ADVICE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS

WHAT CAN FAMILY AND FRIENDS DO?

• Stay in communication - ask questions – but also give students some breathing room

• Plan to visit in the fall if student is living on campus or just to see what campus events are like

• Encourage student’s curiosity and academic interests

• Encourage your student to take advantage of support services

• Encourage your student to GET INVOLVED!

NEXT STEPS – FINAL THOUGHTS

Students? Pack up your Advising Folder (with pen) Have your picture ID and my.emich info

Family members? Any last minute suggestions? Any last minute reminders? What have you forgotten to not forget?

FINAL THOUGHTSCollege is …

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Dr. Chris Foreman General Education Program cforeman@emich.edu