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Office of Undergraduate Studies

November 2

 

Declaring a Major

It is in the best interest of students to declare a major in their first year of attendance.  Students who are directed toward an academic goal and who interact frequently with faculty outside the classroom (projects, research etc.) are more likely to earn their degree.

The process of declaring a major is easy! Undeclared students should visit the Division of General Studies office to visit an academic advisor to discuss program options.

Parent Tip:  Encourage your student to begin investigating various majors during their first semester.  They should talk with advisers, career counselors, other students and faculty about their interests. 

Match UNL majors with interests: http://possibilities.unl.edu/
Assess interests:  http://www.unl.edu/careers/explore/assess.shtml
What Happens to UNL Grads:  http://www.unl.edu/careers/careerguide/interest.shtml
Exploration Courses Listed by Major:  http://www.unl.edu/dgs/explore06.shtml
If your student has an interest in  a major, encourage them to take an exploratory course in the spring semester which will help them decide if the major is for them or not.

 

Math Test and Modern Language Exam

Students who did not register for a math course this fall who want to retake (or take for the first time) the Math placement exam should do so now so they can gain a qualifying score before priority registration arrives.  Students who are currently taking a math course do not need to take the math exam but will need a grade of “C” or better in their current course to progress to the next course in the sequence.
http://www.math.unl.edu/resources/undergraduate/mpe/

Students who want to begin a French, German or Spanish sequence this spring should take the Modern Language Placement Exam as they will need to qualify for a course before priority registration.   Languages other than French, German and Spanish do not require a placement exam for registration.
http://www.unl.edu/langlab/tests.shtml

 

Educational Psychology 209-Academic Success Course

If your student has communicated to you during this semester that they wish they knew how to study better or have stated that they have difficulty knowing how to “put it all together” when it comes time to take an exam, encourage them to register for EDPS 209-Academic Success for spring semester.  The purpose of the course is to help students hone their study skills and to teach them ways to become a better student. The course is considered an “elective” only in UNL degree programs.

 

Pre-Professional Status-What  Does It Mean?

Students who have an interest in attending professional programs like medical, physical therapy or law school can claim “pre-professional” status.    Students cannot earn a “Pre-professional” degree at UNL. They can, however, fulfill the prerequisite requirements to apply to a professional school.  Claiming pre-professional status is simply a way that students can tell the university that they have intentions of attending a professional school; this status can help them obtain the information needed to apply to a professional program.
Pre-Health and Pre-Law Programs: http://ascweb.unl.edu/advisingcenter/pre-professional.html

Parent Tip:  We encourage students who want to go to a professional school to earn a UNL degree while they are fulfilling professional school prerequisites.  If they attend professional school but do not finish, or if they do not get into their program, then they will have a UNL degree in hand which can help them progress with other career/life goals.

 

Last Day to Withdraw

Reminder:  Friday, November 13, is the last day to withdraw from full-semester courses.  Students can withdraw using their WAM account or, withdraw from a course at the Office of Registration and Records (Canfield #107).  A “W” will appear on the student’s academic record for withdrawn courses. Students should always talk with an adviser before withdrawing from courses.  Students should not wait until the last minute to make this decision!

 

Freshman Registration Reminder

Friday, November 6, is the first day freshmen can register for the spring term.  If your student has not yet met with an adviser, they need to do so to identify courses for which they should register for on Friday.

 

Closed Classes

Students who want to add a course that is closed (no seats available on the on-line “Schedule of Classes”) should do the following:

1. Keep checking the on-line “Schedule of Classes” for a seat. Students add and drop courses every day.  Thus, the availability of seats changes constantly.  Check daily!

2. Try to obtain an override from the instructor. An override is permission to be in a course that is already filled. Students should contact the instructor of the course. The instructor's name should be in the “Schedule of Classes.”  If the instructor field says "STAFF” the student should call the department to obtain the name of the instructor. Students can access the FACULTY/STAFF directory on the UNL home page to obtain office location, phone, email information.  Note:  Instructors are not obligated to provide course overrides if their course is full. 

Students who obtain overrides must submit the signed document to Canfield 107 (Registration and Record) to add the course to their schedule.

Parent Tip:  Registration and drop/add can be stressful, especially for first-time college students.  Remind your student that registration is a “process.”  They can drop and add courses between now and the first week of classes next semester.  Their schedule does not have to be perfect on their priority registration day.  Encourage your student to have patience and to be diligent in this process, because most students who take the time to find a seat will have success in gaining admission to the desired course.

 

Grades

Current semester grades are posted on BLACKBOARD (if the instructor posts the information.  Grades from prior semesters will be on the student’s WAM page. (Your son/daughter has access to both of these programs.)

 

Common issues student face in November

  • I am nervous about receiving the test score from my mid-term exam!
  • I am excited for Thanksgiving break, but I have so many test and papers due before I can go home!
  • I thought I would talk to my best friend/boy or girlfriend from high school every day, but I feel like that relationship is starting to change now that we are both away at college. 

How the parent/guardian can assist…

  • Talk to your student about their health as cold and flu season begins!  Encourage them to be getting enough sleep and eating well.
  • Ask your student how they are doing financially.  If working, does your student need to reduce hours of work so they can study more?  Has your student signed up for any credit cards since starting school?
  • Encourage your student to start preparing for final exams now!  Your student should check the course syllabus for every course to make sure they know WHEN their final exam is and where it will be administered, as the final may be given at a time/location that is different than the regularly scheduled class period.