Academic advising for the spring 2014 semester starts today! Everyone out there who isn’t graduating in December needs to make an appointment to meet with their advisor and start thinking about their course schedule for next semester.
Now spring may seem far off in the distant future when fall has only just begun, but before you know it, winter break and spring semester will be here. The earlier you start planning, the more successful the following semester will be. There are a number of things you’ll want to consider when selecting your future courses.
Make sure you’re paying close attention to which course catalog you are under. There are several different catalogs at Shepherd and it can quickly become confusing. If you’re tying to graduate in the standard four years, you’ll want to avoid taking too many extra courses that you don’t need. If you’re unsure of your catalog year, you can check on RAIL. This may be a good time for you to switch catalogs. If that is the case, try completing a “what-if analysis” with your advisor.
Since Shepherd has now moved to listing courses only online, make sure you take the time to sit down and really do your research. Ask yourself questions like: “What courses do I still need to take? What courses will I be most interested in taking? Which courses are going to be the most difficult courses? How many credit hours should I sign up for?” These are also all good questions to have your advisor help you with. In my personal experience, I try to select a mixture of classes to keep my schedule diverse; mixing harder, upper level courses with fun courses that I’m passionate about makes the semester more enjoyable.
And don’t forget about your minor requirements. Many advisors aren’t aware of the courses you’ll need to complete your minor studies on time. I suggest making a quick appointment or stopping by a professor’s office who teaches in your minor department so you have a better understanding of everything you’ll be expected to take.
Don’t be afraid to try something new! This is especially true if you are a freshman or sophomore student. Trying out different areas of study other than your general education courses is a good way to really decide if your major is right for you. Perhaps you want to throw in a communication or business course to your schedule. Or maybe sign up for the Picket Practicum and write for us!
Remember, advisors are there to help you and they should be doing their part to make sure you’re on the right path to graduation. You can also stop by the Academic Support Center and see what services they have to offer too!
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