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 in college?

WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN COLLEGE?

A liberal arts education is the best and most powerful preparation for:

1) A productive career; and

2) Dealing with life’s challenges

oEmployers say “it takes more than a major” to prosper in an economy that is constantly changing.oEmployers want individuals who can communicate, think critically, and make informed decisions

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

Take15/16 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 2015-16 ** check after July ** Online class schedules my.emich Student Services tab Academic Advisors

NOTE: Meet with advisors – October, February

General Education program

Effective Communication Written Communication and Oral Communication

Quantitative Reasoning

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

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

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The first two semesters

Satisfy the Written Communication and Oral Communication requirements during your first two semesters

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

Why??? EMU students completing these requirements their first year have much higher grade point averages (GPAs) and graduation rates.

MORE “FIRST” DECISIONS TO MAKE

Consider registering for a first-year experience … UNIV 101L3 [satisfies LBC Group 3]

… First Year Seminar Courses – great way to EXPLORE

… 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 successCollege is different from high school

Success in college

• Take control of your education

• Meet instructors during their office hours

• Create your own support systems. Seek help!

• Take control of your time. Plan ahead!

• Make thoughtful course decisions – challenge yourself; don’t just satisfy a requirement

• Set goals for the semester, … the year, … your college career

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 prepare to meet with advisors and take the first steps in making thoughtful decisions

Family members prepare to let their students meet with advisors and become an EMU Eagle

FINAL THOUGHTSCollege is …

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