TIP OF THE WEEK - February 1

Four Ways to Graduate in Four Years

 

If you think four years of college is expensive, try five. You may hear jokes about fifth-year seniors, but the extra time and money you’ll spend on an additional year in college is serious. Not only will you pay another year’s worth of tuition, textbook costs, campus fees and other education expenses, but you won’t be earning money in your first job or getting started in graduate school.

Don’t count on graduating in four years without putting some effort into making it happen. Less than four in 10 students earn their bachelor’s degree in four years. Here are four things you can do to graduate on time.

 

1. Decide on your major early. The sooner you decide on a major, the sooner you can complete the requirements. Start thinking about your major the first day you arrive on campus or earlier. Don’t rush selecting a major; if you aren’t happy with your selection, changing majors later could set back your four-year plan. Declare your major as early as possible, but no later than the end of your sophomore year.

2. Figure out what classes you’ll take. Once you’ve decided on a major, get organized. Figure out what classes you’ll need to complete your major requirements in four years. Get your general core requirements out of the way first. Talk to your advisor to help form your four-year class plan. Once you’ve created a plan to graduate in four years, check in with your advisor at least once a semester to discuss your progress. Some classes are harder to get into than others, so sign up for them as early as possible to secure a spot. If you followed your graduation plan and run into trouble getting into a class that you need to graduate, you may be able to appeal to the department head.

3. Take at least 15 credits per semester. Take enough credits each semester so you can complete your graduation requirements in four years. This usually turns out to be around 15 credits per semester. Don’t drop classes. If you fall short, make up the credits right away — either over the summer or during a winter session. It’s not enough to sign up for courses worth 15 credits; you must do well enough in them to pass or you won’t earn the credit.

4. Look into four-year guarantee programs. Some schools have four-year graduation guarantee programs. These programs, like the one at , require students to pledge at the start of their freshman year that they are committed to graduating in four years. Students are often required to declare their majors during their first semester and agree not to change majors. The school agrees to make this happen by providing advising resources and facilitating registration. See if your school has a program like this during your first semester on campus.

With a little planning, you should have no problem earning your degree in four years.

TIP OF THE WEEK - January 25

Netiquette...

E-guide on social interaction and communicating electronically.

Communicating clearly on the Internet without creating misunderstandings is a challenge. One problem is that you haven't any facial expressions, body language, or environment to help you express yourself; another, that there is little "give and take" for developing what you mean to say or are discussing.

These guidelines hopefully will help you:

Be clear - Make sure the subject line (e-mail) or title (web page) reflects your content.

Use appropriate language - If you have a question on whether or not you are too emotional, don't send the message, save it, and review it "later", remember:  no one can guess your mood, see your facial expressions, etc. All they have are your words, and your words can express the opposite of what you feel.  Don't use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS--it's equal to shouting or screaming.

Be brief - If your message is short, people will be more likely to read it.

Make a good impression - Your words and content represent you; review/edit your words and images before sending.

Be selective on what information you put in an e-mail or on a web site. Information on the Internet is very public, and can seen by anyone in the world including criminals, future employers, and  governments.

Forward e-mail messages you receive only with permission of the sender.

Remember you are not anonymous - What you write in an e-mail and web site can be traced back to you.

Consider others -  If you are upset by what you read or see on the Internet, forgive bad spelling or stupidity; If you think it violates the law, forward it to the FBI or your state's Attorney General.

Obey copyright laws - Don't use others' images, content, etc. without permission Don't forward e-mail, or use web site content without permission. Visit the Library of Congress' Guide on "Copyright Basics ".

Cite others' work you use -  Refer to the Guide on “Citation”.

Use distribution lists appropriately and with permission.

Do not send SPAM - SPAM is posting or e-mailing unsolicited e-mail, often advertising messages, to a wide audience (another way of thinking of it is electronic junk mail).

Don't forward chain letters - If you receive one, notify your web master.

Don't respond to "flames" or personal attacks -  Contact your web master for action and referral.