First-year students are first time college students who are assigned to professional advisors in the Center for Student Success based on their First Year Seminar (FYS) course selection. Check your network in Connect to find your assigned academic advisor.
Fall Semester
In your first semester, you are placed into four courses based on your declared major. If you are undeclared, you are assigned general education courses and should explore potential majors. Your primary focus in this semester should be performing well academically and getting involved in clubs and organizations on campus.
In October, which is designated as advisement month, you should make an appointment to see your designated academic advisor to discuss course selection for Spring course registration. An advisement hold is in place for all first-year students and you are required to see your academic advisor before you can register for courses. Once you have met with your advisor, he/she will lift this hold.
Your registration window (to register for Winter or Spring courses) will generally open during the first week in November. You can find your exact date by referencing the current academic calendar.
Spring Semester
In your second semester, your primary focus is to continue explore your major or to declare your major. Do your best to continue to perform well academically and maintain your GPA.
March is designated as Advisement Month. An advisement hold is placed on all first-year students and you are required to see your academic advisor before you can register for courses for the Summer or Fall. Your advisor will lift your hold once you have met with her/him. Your registration window will generally open in the first week in April.
When a student completes 32 or more credits, they are considered second-year students. Unless you are undeclared, you are assigned to a faculty advisor in your major. While you should continue focusing on your academic performance, it’s also important to take on leadership roles in clubs and organizations on campus. You may also consider applying for co-ops and internships via the Cahill Career Development Center.
Fall Semester
If you have declared your major, you should make an appointment to see your designated faculty advisor in October to discuss course selection for Spring semester registration, which happens in early November. All second-year students have an advisement hold placed on their account and and they are required to see their faculty advisor before they can register for courses for courses for the Winter and Spring semesters. If you are undeclared, you should see your Student Success advisor for advisement prior to registration. Your advisor will lift your hold once you have met with her/him. Your registration window (to register for spring courses) will generally open during the first week in November. You can find your exact date by referencing the current academic calendar.
Spring Semester
While declared students not required to see their faculty advisor in March during Advisement Month, we recommend that you check in with him/her to measure your academic progress before you register in early April for classes for the Summer or Fall semesters.
If you are undeclared, you will need to declare a major by the end of this semester. An advisement hold is once again placed on your account and you should see your Student Success advisor for advisement and to get it lifted so you will be clear to register for classes.
Once you have completed 64 credits, you are considered a junior. By this time, you must have a declared major. If you have not completed your Critical Reading and Writing and college level math general education courses by this point, a registration hold will be placed on your account until you register for those courses.
Fall Semester
While you are not required to see your faculty advisor this semester, it is always a good idea to do so to continue to discuss career pathways and course selection appropriate for your major. He/she will be able to guide you in October so that you are ready to register in early November.
Spring Semester
An advisement hold is placed on your account this semester. You are required to schedule a meeting with your faculty advisor for a Junior graduation check-up. It’s important to review your degree evaluation to confirm you are on track for graduation. Once you have seen him/her for this meeting, he/she will lift your hold so that you can register for classes for your Summer and Fall semesters.
Once you have completed 96 credits, you are a senior. To prepare for graduation, be mindful of the graduation application deadlines posted on the Registrar’s graduation website.
While you are not required to see your faculty advisor in your senior year, it is always a good idea to do so to continue to discuss career pathways, graduate school, and course selection to complete the remainder of your general education, school core, and major/minor(s) requirements. Make sure that you will have the 128 credits required for graduation before you begin your final semester.
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