WELCOME BACK!

Fall semester is upon us! As you start thinking about preparing for fall semester, don’t forget to put meeting with your academic advisor on your checklist. If you have declared a major, meet with your departmental advisor. If you are an undecided student, meet with an advisor in University College. Our office includes preprofessional advising, the major exploration center, general advising, the transfer center, academic success advising, and works with returning to the U students. If you have questions regarding general education and bachelors degree requirements, what major is the best fit for you, transfer credits, your academic standing, or general questions regarding U policies and procedures schedule an appointment with an advisor in University College.

Walk-in Appointments

Please note that University College advisors are doing walk-in appointments on Thursday August 21 through Friday August 29. Stop by SSB 450 from 9am – 4pm on any of these days to meet with an academic advisor.

Scheduling an Appointment 

To schedule an advising appointment go to http://advising.utah.edu/scheduling/ or call 801-581-8146.

To schedule and advising appointment with our pre-professional advisors go to http://advising.utah.edu/scheduling/preprofessional-advising.php or call 801-581-5744.

We wish you the best of luck in starting your semester!

Enrolled in a Large Class? Success Tips

Guest Blogger:  Jennifer Merino-Moncada, U of U Alumna

You walk into class and realize you are in a class of 200+ students. You think to yourself, “how am I going to get through this?” Your palms start to sweat, you’re feeling anxious. High school was so different, you were in class with the same 30 people, and the instructor knew your name, now you feel like just another face in the crowd. 

This is the same scenario most new students experience. It can be very intimidating and overwhelming. However, with the right approach you can get through this experience and be successful in a large class setting.  

Even though there are no assigned seats in most college classes once students find where they feel comfortable they tend to sit there every class time. You can take advantage of this by getting to know the students that sit around you because they are probably the same people you will sit next to for the rest of the semester. Start by making small talk, introduce yourself and ask your neighbors why they took the class. You want to continue to get to know those around you because you will need a friend, an ally, a study companion. You never know when you will unexpectedly have to miss class. Having a friend in class that you can ask for notes and updates on what you missed is a key aspect of thriving in a large class setting. 

There are a few classes that require study groups or discussions to break up a large class to smaller sections, however many classes will not have that component so it will be up to you to form study groups and work on assignments together. This will become a regular aspect of your time in college. It is so frustrating when you are working on an assignment but get stuck on something. Having a study partner that you can text or email for help can alleviate some of that frustration. 

You may feel out of your element when stepping into a large class. You may feel uncomfortable asking a new person to let you borrow their notes or ask a question about the assignment but in reality those students around you are probably just as uncomfortable and feeling disconnected just like you. College is about taking control of your education, even when it is out of your comfort zone.  Take the initiative and start forming those connections. You will feel more connected to the university community and to those that spent countless of hours cramming with you for your next exam.

Welcome to Spring 2014!

The University of Utah will begin the spring 2014 term on Monday, Jan. 6.  The campus will be a buzz as students and faculty return to classes.  Academic advisors become a major source of assistance during this period to make sure that students are moving forward in achieving their goals.

Here's just a few tips for the beginning of the term:

1.  KNOW IMPORTANT DATES - The Registrar's Office updates a website with a calendar for dates and deadlines such as adding classes, dropping classes, withdrawing, and paying tuition.  Find out more at:  http://registrar.utah.edu/academic-calendars/spring2014.php

2.  ATTEND THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS - A higher education myth is that nothing happens on the first day.  Actually this is the day that you meet faculty, teaching assistants, and engage with the syllabus.  Also, you are paying for this day so don't miss out on beginning the term with all the information you need for success.

3.  CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE - Once you have completed enrolling and dropping classes, check your final schedule through the Campus Information Services (CIS).  You should confirm that you are in the courses and sections that you are attending.  It is much easier to correct errors at the beginning of the term than later in your academic experience.

4.  CHECK-OUT PLAZA FEST on Wednesday, Jan. 8 in the Union - This is a great opportunity to refresh your memory on all the opportunities available to you at the U of U!

 

Welcome Back!!!!!

GEEK Week

Dec. 9, 2013 - This is the last week of classes and next week will be filled with final exams.  ASUU has partnered with the Marriott Library, Union Programming Council, Peak, USA Today, and The New York Times to create the GEEK Week.  This event includes extended hours at the Marriott Library, food, yoga workshops, food, and other activities to assist you in excelling at the U of U.  Check it out!

http://www.asuu.utah.edu/news/geek-week-2/

 

 

Good luck with all your final course activities!!!  Reward yourself after a productive semester that is moving you closer to your academic goal.

Have You Seen Your Tutor Today?

At the University of Utah, we are beginning the 4th week of the semester.  Lots of activities are happening (such as the Major EXPO on September 25 from 10 to 2 PM in the Olpin Union).  In addition to participating in campus activities, this is a great time to secure a tutor for your rigorous courses.  Students often ask me how other students earn good grades in all their courses.  From my conversations with these types of students, tutoring is one key element for success.

Let's use the rest of this post to connect to tutoring.  Here are some easy steps:

1. Review the courses that you are taking this term.  Which one or ones do you find the most rigorous for you? 
2. Now start to look for resources that offer tutoring in these areas.
3. If you have a private tutor, make appointments and keep them.
4. If you are in a group tutoring situation, be a productive member by showing up and contributing to the information.

The University of Utah offers many excellent resources for tutoring.  Here are just a few of the many options available to you:

• Math:  the Mathematics Department offers free tutoring in the Math Tutoring Center in the lower level of the Cowles Building.  http://www.math.utah.edu/ugrad/tutoring.html
• Academic Support:  This agency coordinates the ASUU Tutoring Center and Supplemental Instruction for a variety of courses and disciplines.  They have a variety of rates.  http://tutoringcenter.utah.edu/
• The Writing Center:  Have a Writing course or a course that requires a written paper?  Then check-out the services available here.  Writing is a process and everyone continues to grow through feedback.  http://writingcenter.utah.edu/
• College, Department, Agency:  There are many places to connect to tutoring at the University of Utah.  Ask advisors, faculty, and student peers.  The answers will give you lots of options for finding the best resource for you.

Thanks for reading.  It is exciting to watch you achieve your goals at the U of U!

Fall 2013 Has Arrived!

The campus buzz has been growing for the last week.  Students moving into residence halls, buying books, and securing ID cards.  On Saturday many students, parents, faculty, and staff attended the Campus Welcome hosted by the President and Dr. Pershing.  Now, the first day of class for fall 2013 is upon us.

Yes, I have a few tips to offer as you start this term.  Here they are:

• Go to class, especially on the first day.  The first day of class is often the time you start learning about the class through the syllabus and about the faculty member who is teaching the class.  This information offers insight into what the next 15 weeks will hold for you.
• At the end of the first week, gather all the syllabi you have collected for every class.  Use these documents to map out your semester on a calendar.  Every SMART Phone has a calendar app or you can purchase a paper calendar at the bookstore.  Regardless what mode you use to calendar, record all assignments, activities, and exams so you are on top of when things are happening.  Don't forget to include you final exams.
• Look at the academic calendar for dates and deadlines.  Review the date for the last day to add a course, delete/drop a course, and withdraw from a class.  At the U of U, you start classes before you pay tuition & fees.  So make sure you know the deadline for paying tuition.
• Finally, carry your U of U ID card with you at all times.  Many offices ask to see it to verify who you are.

The first week of classes can be exciting, fun, and stressful all in the same week.  Ask questions early to make your semester a success.

Good luck!!!

Countdown: Preparing For The First Day at the University of Utah

Yes, in exactly one week, the University of Utah begins the Fall 2013 term.  

Here are my suggestions for being ready on Monday, August 26 as well as some handy websites.

·         Log into the Campus Info System (CIS) and review your course schedule.  Look for the following:

o   Make sure you know the location for each class.  (http://www.map.utah.edu/)

o   Make sure there are no overlaps.  Missing parts of one class for another will not be a successful strategy.

o   Make any changes to your schedule now.  If a course you want to add is full, plan on attending the first meeting of the course to see if the professor will add you by giving you a “permission number” to add the course through CIS.

o   Print a copy of your schedule or save a copy to a device (e.g. phone, pad, tablet).

·         Know how you are going to arrive on campus for your classes.

o   Are you going to drive?  Do you have a parking permit and know where the lots are for the permit?  (http://www.parking.utah.edu/parking/index.html)

o   Are you going to take public transportation?   There are many options that might be right for you.  (http://www.parking.utah.edu/transportation/index.html)

o   If you live in the residence halls, will you use the Campus Shuttle?  If so, do you know which shuttle to catch? (http://www.parking.utah.edu/transportation/shuttles/index.html)

·         Review materials sent to you and provided at the U of U New Student Orientation.

o   The Undergraduate Bulletin is filled with information and resources that assist you in navigating the U of U for the entire year.  I encourage you to start this review by looking at the Academic Calendar on pg. 1, Resources starting on p. 34, and Quick Reference Guide on p. 47.  (http://advising.utah.edu/topics/Undergrad%20Bulletin%202013.pdf)

o   Check-out the new University of Utah homepage that provides campus updates and news.   (http://www.utah.edu/)

I encourage you to consider these suggestions as you prepare for your first day at the U of U.  The campus is excited to welcome you and your peers to our community of learners!