Would you build a building without a blueprint?  Would you solve a 3,000 piece jigsaw puzzle without seeing the picture on the box? Do the Ravens (Steelers, Redskins, name your favorite team) march out onto the field without a plan to win?

Similarly, you know that UMBC has specific requirements you must meet in order to claim a degree and a diploma.  So it only makes sense to line up your courses completed and in progress against the requirements and then scope out what your remaining semesters need to look like.  Even though this makes so much sense, it is a rare student who arrives for an advising appointment with that game plan in hand.  But guess what? Those students graduate sooner!

DO THESE THINGS, IN THIS ORDER

Step 1.  Start by reviewing your degree audit on line and making note of all gaps in general education courses, university requirements, and courses needed for your major, minor, certificate programs, etc.  You can find your degree audit by logging on to your myUMBC account and clicking on the topic "Advising and Student Support".

Step 2.  Create a grid or spreadsheet with spaces for courses, credits, and notes that shows your planned courses for each semester, and Winter and Summer sessions if relevant. See the very end of this message for a sample grid you can use or adapt.

Step 3.  Begin filling in the blanks with courses you KNOW you need to take for your major.  Take into account whether these courses are offered every semester, only in fall, only in spring, etc. when you slot them into your plan. Also take into account prerequisites and course sequences.

Step 4.  Then fill in courses for minors and certificates, and finally general education courses.  It is fine to put “upper level AH course” or “Writing Intensive course” if you have not settled on the specific course yet. At least you have the category covered.  Also include any electives you would like to fit in.

Step 5.  Show your plan to your academic advisor.

As you build your future schedules, remember not to load up with too many super difficult courses, too many courses with heavy reading, too many science courses in any one semester. Strive for a balanced list.

Enter the total credits for each semester and make sure it is a reasonable number. A 15-18 credit schedule is good for most full-time students with jobs and extracurriculars of 15 hours/week or less. If you have a substantial work commitment, long commute, family obligations, scale back the credits.

HOW TO GET USEFUL INPUT FROM YOUR ADVISOR

Make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor to review your long-term plan. 

HINT:  Make this appointment when the campus is quieter--early in the semester, on a Friday, during a snowstorm.

You may want to e-mail your plan to your advisor in advance, just in case he or she has a minute to print it out and look it over before your appointment.

When you come to your appointment, be ready with a list of “issues” that may have arisen, such as:

• Courses you may want or need to repeat
• Plans to take certain courses at another institution
• Any “substitutions” you may want to propose in the major/minor requirements
• Any excess credits permission you may need to complete your degree on time

Although your advisor may give you excellent suggestions to refine your plan, it is ultimately up to you to be sure you have covered all the bases (to throw in a baseball reference).

ADJUST THE PLAN

And yes, you need a game plan even if you know that you may switch concentrations within your major, you may drop your second major down to a minor, and you may want to add a certificate.  The process of building the plan will help you assess the feasibility of these changes! It is even more important to have a solid written plan if your academic career is in flux.  And if you want to see how your courses might fit into a different major altogether, take a look at the “What If” degree audit on line.

Whether you hope to graduate in four semesters or eight semesters, having a plan will help you achieve your goals, save tuition dollars, and avoid coming up short on upper level courses, electives in your major, or 120 academic credits.  Graduation is too important to leave to chance!  Our most important advice for building your game plan? Just do it!

Additional resources to help you build your plan:

UMBC 2011 Undergraduate Catalog on line here:

Navigating the First Year, 2011 New Student Advising and Registration Guide on line here: 

Website of your major, minor departments.  See listing here:

Peer Advisors in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising (arc@umbc.edu)

Download Graduation Plan grid below!

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS QUESTION:

What is the first type of course you should enter on your graduation plan grid?