Where has the time gone! Only two weeks remaining in the Fall semester! Congratulations to all of you for making it this far. How exciting for the graduating seniors! I am sure most of you graduating seniors are amazed at how fast time has gone by at Penn State! Below are a few tips to help you all end your semester on a good note:
Studying for the Finals: Have you started preparing for your final exams yet? Keep your minds alert by making sure that you get enough sleep and that you are eating well. It wouldn’t hurt to create a study time table. Allocate enough time to each subject according to levels of difficulty. Be consistent and study a little each day to prepare. The university offers many resources to help you succeed, so be proactive and reach out for help if you are experiencing difficulties in preparing for your finals.
The Penn State Learning Center: Having trouble understanding the material in the following subjects: MATH 110, ACCTG. 211, CHEM 201, STAT. 200 or a foreign language, as well as many others? Did you know that you can receive tutoring in many subjects or be a part of a guided study group free of charge through the Penn State learning center? It is not too late to seek help. You can go to their website to learn more about their hours, what they have to offer and how to contact them. You can also reach them by calling: 814-865-1841.
Graduating Seniors for Fall 2010: Most of you probably can’t wait to join the real world! I would suggest running a current degree audit to see if all requirements have been met or showing that they are in progress. Meet with your adviser to discuss options available to you, if for example, you are experiencing academic difficulties with a class or classes, and you feel that you might not be able to successfully complete all your scheduled classes. You should have activated your intent to graduate during the activation period, but if you missed it, you can call the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Studies office at: 814-865-2545 or contact your academic adviser as soon as possible to have your name added to the graduation list. Congratulations you are almost there!
Returning Seniors: You should have your Spring 2011 classes scheduled by now. Run a current degree audit on eLion and check to make sure that all degree requirements are showing either as “OK” or “IP” (in progress). Meet with your academic adviser if you see any missing requirements as you might need to adjust your schedule. Make sure you make plans to complete any deferred or incomplete work. Meet with your academic adviser to discuss any incoming course work such as transfer credits, study abroad credits, or if you need course substitutions. Also be sure to activate your intent to graduate during the activation period (January 2-24, 2011).
Juniors: You should also have your Spring 2011 schedule in place. You should at this point, have a plan as to what your senior year will look like (e.g. remaining credits and how they will fit into your remaining semesters). You should also review your audit to make sure it is current and accurate.
Sophomores: Remember to declare your major through e-lion in the spring of 2011 through the Entrance to Major process (ETM). You should also have your Spring 2011 schedule in place by now. It is not too early to start thinking of a possible minor. If you are pursuing the Paterno Fellows program (PFP), remember to work closely with your academic adviser to ensure that you are completing the PFP requirements.
Freshmen: You should all have your schedules for Spring 2011 completed by now. If not, you need to meet with your academic adviser as soon as possible to discuss what courses you should take to continue making good progress towards your intended major. For those of you who needed, but were unable to schedule English 015 and the first year seminar for the fall of 2010, make sure that you schedule these classes in the Spring of 2011. If you are aspiring to becoming a Paterno Fellow (PFP), LA 101H should be your choice in place of English 015 or 30. If you are not sure, plan to check in with your academic adviser as soon as possible for guidance.
Finally, wishing you all the best and success in your exams! Remember to manage your time wisely and not to leave everything until the last minute. Happy Holidays! We will see you next year!