When exams are over and the campus empties out, most students have time to breathe. While the experiences of the past academic year are fresh in your mind, it is very wise to reflect on lessons learned and make sure you have strong plans in place for your next steps. This is particularly important after your freshman year, but has value every year.
Here are FIVE topics to consider along with some resources for further exploration.
1. ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Did you get the grades you hoped for? Did you complete as many credits and courses as you wanted to?
Resources:
Check out how you are progressing toward completing all the elements needed for a bachelor’s degree by reviewing your degree audit on myUMBC (under the topic “Advising and Student Support”).
If you performed poorly in a course, consider repeating it in the summer session or in the fall. Only the higher grade will count in your UMBC GPA. Also, you may need to adjust your fall schedule if you earned less than a “C” in a prerequisite course.
For additional academic support, consider enrolling in LRC 101 Academic Success for Lifelong Learning (for students in good academic standing) or LRC 101A (for students with cumulative GPAs under 2.0). Learn more here.
2. ACADEMIC AND CAREER DIRECTION
How are you feeling about that major you picked? If undeclared, what is your current thinking about picking a major?
Resources:
:
Consider using the “What if…” feature of the UMBC degree audit to see how your completed and planned courses would fit into a potential new major
.
Review the “What Can I do with my xxxxx Degree?” sheets on the UMBC Career Services web pages here . While you are there, check out Career Path and listen to videos recorded by UMBC alums about how their UMBC degrees led them to a career.
3. LIVING/COMMUTING ARRANGEMENTS
Did living in the dorm work for you? Did commuting from home work for you? Do you need to consider a different living or commuting arrangement? What options do you have?
Resources:
Learn more about off-campus housing options here
Learn about public transportation and carpooling options here
4. SOCIAL LIFE AND EXTRACURRICULARS
Did you strike a good balance between focus on academics and focus on “extras”? What do you need to do more of and what do you need to do less of?
• Graduating “on time”
• Having a competitive GPA for admission to professional school or for employment
• Finding a meaningful job after graduation
• Being able to work in a field that fits your interests and abilities
So take advantage of any summer “down time” to reflect, regroup, and replan your college career!
Here are FIVE topics to consider along with some resources for further exploration.
1. ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Did you get the grades you hoped for? Did you complete as many credits and courses as you wanted to?
Resources:
Check out how you are progressing toward completing all the elements needed for a bachelor’s degree by reviewing your degree audit on myUMBC (under the topic “Advising and Student Support”).
If you performed poorly in a course, consider repeating it in the summer session or in the fall. Only the higher grade will count in your UMBC GPA. Also, you may need to adjust your fall schedule if you earned less than a “C” in a prerequisite course.
For additional academic support, consider enrolling in LRC 101 Academic Success for Lifelong Learning (for students in good academic standing) or LRC 101A (for students with cumulative GPAs under 2.0). Learn more here.
2. ACADEMIC AND CAREER DIRECTION
How are you feeling about that major you picked? If undeclared, what is your current thinking about picking a major?
Resources:
:
Consider using the “What if…” feature of the UMBC degree audit to see how your completed and planned courses would fit into a potential new major
.
Review the “What Can I do with my xxxxx Degree?” sheets on the UMBC Career Services web pages here . While you are there, check out Career Path and listen to videos recorded by UMBC alums about how their UMBC degrees led them to a career.
3. LIVING/COMMUTING ARRANGEMENTS
Did living in the dorm work for you? Did commuting from home work for you? Do you need to consider a different living or commuting arrangement? What options do you have?
Resources:
Learn more about off-campus housing options here
Learn about public transportation and carpooling options here
4. SOCIAL LIFE AND EXTRACURRICULARS
Did you strike a good balance between focus on academics and focus on “extras”? What do you need to do more of and what do you need to do less of?
Resources:
Read about all the many extracurricular organizations at UMBC here
Learn about how to create an effective study group here
5. FINANCES
Did you live up to the academic standards of your scholarships and financial aid? Will this aid continue into your next year of college? Is your account with the university in good standing or is there an unpaid balance?
Resources:
Read about Satisfactory Academic Progress rules for financial aid here.
Check out the status of your student account on myUMBC (under the topic Billing & Personal Finances ) to be sure everything is in order.
Consider signing up for the monthly payment plan to spread out the costs for next semester. To learn more, click here.
Read about all the many extracurricular organizations at UMBC here
Learn about how to create an effective study group here
5. FINANCES
Did you live up to the academic standards of your scholarships and financial aid? Will this aid continue into your next year of college? Is your account with the university in good standing or is there an unpaid balance?
Resources:
Read about Satisfactory Academic Progress rules for financial aid here.
Check out the status of your student account on myUMBC (under the topic Billing & Personal Finances ) to be sure everything is in order.
Consider signing up for the monthly payment plan to spread out the costs for next semester. To learn more, click here.
Well, you get the idea. Taking stock of where you stand on all these key dimensions of college life during the summer gives you a chance to hit the ground running in the fall. Making sure that you are “on course” for success in every way will improve your chances of:
• Graduating “on time”
• Having a competitive GPA for admission to professional school or for employment
• Finding a meaningful job after graduation
• Being able to work in a field that fits your interests and abilities
So take advantage of any summer “down time” to reflect, regroup, and replan your college career!
