Let it Go!: Tips To Stay Sane Until Grades Post

Right now Finals Week at FSU is just starting off. It’s a tense time for a lot of people. What could be more stressful than final exams?

The answer: Waiting to see how you did!

For some students, the grade they earn on the Final Exam can make the diffference between passing or not passing a course, or between earning an honor-roll GPA, or not. Either way, that week between taking your exam and finding out your final grade can be full of worry, doubt, and huge, glaring What-if’s.

However, there’s normally not much you can do about it, and it’s hard to plan until you know for sure where you stand. So here’s my advice to you:

Let. It. Go. 

(Frozen will never stop being relevant.)

If you’ve followed our tips for Final Exams, then you know you’ve put in the hours, done the work, and tried your hardest.  Stressing about the outcomes won’t change a thing. So instead of worrying what comes next, try some of the activities here to let that stress out of your system.

1. Get Outside!

Tree-to-Tree adventures at the Tallahassee Museum

If you’re reading this today, you might look outside and think “Yeah, Right!”, but Spring has Spring in Tallahassee (and all over!). It’s officially the time of outdoor festivals, concerts, and eating on patios. At FSU we’re lucky enough to have the Reservation, where you can spend some time in or on the water, and lots of great outdoor experiences just a short drive from campus! If you’re still in Tallahassee after your finals, maybe take a day to bike down St. Mark’s Trail, or head to the beach for the day, or visit the Tallahassee Museum for some zipline adventures!

If you’ve already headed back home, check around in your area to see what outdoor fun is avaialble to you there.

You’ll not only enjoy a great time, you’ll also enjoy some pretty intense health benefits!

2. Connect With Friends

Whether you’re still on campus, or back home around your old friends, make some time to connect in person. Humans are social animals, and taking time to be around people we care about helps us re-charge and de-stress. Even if you’re an introvert, you can still enjoy the benefits of a rejeuvinating conversation. Just make sure not to overload yourself.

If you’re an extrovert, surrounding yourself with a large group of people at a party or event can help your mood light up! If you’re an introvert, you might prefer a coffee date with just one or two good friends.

3. Make Something!

You don’t have to be in the FSU Art Therapy program to know that drawing, coloring, or sculpting with play-doh can help boost your mood! On campus you can do paint-a-pot at the Oglesby Union, or just create on your own!

If visual art isn’t your thing, try writing a story or poem, dancing, or music to get your creative energy out. It will help you feel less stressed and maybe even inspire you to start someting new!

4. Give Back

Taking the time to help others in your community can take your mind off of your own stress, and there are some pretty fun ways to do it here in Tallahassee. For example, the Humane Society uses volunteers to play with puppies to exercise them while they’re waiting to be moved into their new homes. You can also find a list of organizations in the area to work with through the Center for Leadership and Social Change at FSU.  If you’re already back home, check out local agencies and non-profits that might need some extra help.

So now you have it! My top 4 tips for staying positive, happy, and sane while you wait for your grades this semester. What are your tips? Share them here or tweet me at @ChemCompSciADV

Building Your Best Schedule: Part 2

So now that you’ve thought about what you’ve accomplished this semester, and what you really want from next semester, it’s time to start planning it out.

I’ve often thought, when I work with students who are building a college schedule, that it feels a lot like a sudoku puzzle! You’re not just looking for the correct answer for this semester, but you also are concerned about how what you put in that box will impact the rest of the puzzle, or in this case, your college career.

At FSU we have a few different resources you can use to help solve the puzzle. Here’s the exact process I go through as an advisor (or as a student) when I’m building a schedule:

Step 1: Follow the Map

At FSU each major has a map with certain milestone courses. You can find these maps in our Academic Program Guide, find your major in the list, and click “M” for Map. Here’s an example for the Computer Science, B.A. major: 

The awesome thing about the map, is that summer semesters don’t count! So to figure out your map term, count how many semesters you’ve been in college, and subtract the summers! For example, if you started in the Summer or 2014, and took classes each semester since then, you would be starting your map term #3 in Fall 2015.

You can also see your official map term when you log into your my.fsu student central and click on “academics”.

Once you know your map term, you can see what courses are absolutely required for your next semester. Already finished them? Great! Move on to the next term’s milestones!

(The left-hand side of the map is one suggested schedule, one that would likely have you finish college within 4 years, but it is not the ONLY possible schedule. It is a good way to get an idea of what courses are generaly O.K. to take at the same time.)

Step 2: Keep Moving Forward

Now that you know what the minimum expectations are for your next semester, don’t stop there! You want to have about 15-17 hours on your schedule each semester after your first year at FSU, so there’s lot’s more to add.

The next thing you’ll want to add in are required courses for your major. Some courses have very specific sequences that the courses should be taken in, others are more flexible. By this time you should have a good idea of which category your major falls into.

You can find out what courses are required for your major by visiting the Program Guide, and clicking “P” for program. Here’s an example from the Economics major: 

You’ll normally want to pick at least 1-2 required courses for your major each semester, even if you don’t need to meet any milestones.

Most majors also require a minor. You can work in a class for your minor as well!

Step 3: The Liberal Studies

Some students seem like they are rushing through their FSU liberal studies and graduation requirements, but with the exception of English, and Math, you have until you graduate to complete all these requirements. There’s no need to rush! Liberal Studies courses are a great way to explore new academic disciplines, and allow yourself to take a class that just sounds fun!

You can use your Academic Requirements Report in your my.fsu student center to see what Liberal Studies or FSU requirements you still need to complete, or, you can keep track of them on your own using the checklist in your It’s All Academic booklet.

If you still have liberal studies requirements you haven’t met, see if there’s a course that you can work into your next semester’s schedule. Unless you’re in some sort of hurry, it’s better to wait and take a class you like, than to take a course you aren’t interested in just because it “meets a requirement”. The It’s All Academic booklet lists out all the courses that meet each requirement, along with a description of the course. This is a great way to browse through! Keep in mind, though, that not every course is offered each semester.

Step 4: Elective

FSU has some great elective courses, including a 1 Credit course at the FSU circus!!!

The “elective” course sometimes gets a bad reputation. I have students tell me they don’t want to take a course that “doesn’t count for anything”. However, most students will have to take at least a few electives just to meet FSU’s graduation requirements (each student needs at least 120 hours of courses to graduate).

Don’t let anyone pick your electives for you! This is your time to do you!! When I was in my last semester of college, I took beginner Portuguese, a philosophy seminar, and a 1 credit class where I worked on a farm, just meet my 120 hours! It was probably my favorite semester, because the only requirement was that I take classes I really thought would be fun! If you have space for an elective in your schedule, make sure it’s something that really gets you excited!

Review:

Once you’re done building your schedule, look back over what you’ve created. Make sure you have at least 12 hours if you’re planning to be a full-time student! You should have a schedule that meets any upcoming milestones, advances you through your major program, and includes classes you are excited about!

Most students do NOT NEED to meet with an advisor before building their schedule (unless, of course, you have an advising hold on your account!). If you do want to go over your schedule with an advisor, set up a time to meet with them as soon as you can! If you can’t see them until after your registration window opens, DON’T WAIT to register. Instead, sign up for classes as soon as you can, and make any changes you discuss with an advisor at a later time.

Questions? Comments? Let me know! You can tweet me @ChemCompSciADV

Building Your Best Schedule: Part 1

Hello! And welcome, friends, to my Building your Best Schedule series. In my next few posts I wll talk you through some of the most important considerations when creating your next semester’s college schedules. You can also use these tips to create a more long-term schedule, but I caution against getting too attached to plans longer than 2 semesters. Sometimes you need to be flexible!

So let’s start at the beginning: Reflection!

The first part of planning for your future is reflecting on how you’ve done in the past, and how you are doing in the present. It’s convenient that we normally start planning next semester’s schedule right around midterm exams. This is a great time to stop and reflect on your progress in your current courses.

Some questions to ask yourself include:

1. What grades do I have in my classes right now?
2. How am I feeling about my current schedule? Is it overwhelming? Is it too easy?
3. How am I liking my classes? Do I want to take similar courses? Different ones?
4. What is my level of committment to my major? If it is low, what other majors are you considering?

Depending on your answers to those questions, you may want to take immediate action, like dropping a course, or visiting the career center to explore other major options. Take a break and take any immediate action you feel is necessary before continuing to plan next semester.

The next step is to reflect on what you’ve already accomplished. If your school offers an online advising tool, or checklists for your major and general education requirements, this is a good time to revisit those tools and mark off what you’ve already accomplished.

While you are checking these tools, you should see if you have any holds on your registration! Most students are not required to meet with an advisor before signing up for courses, but if you have a hold, you might need to make an appointment to get that hold removed before you register.

The third step in the planning process is to verify your enrollment appointment (also known as a registration window). This is the day and time when you can begin adding courses to your schedule. At FSU, you can find out your appointment by adding up all the credits you have already completed (which includes transfer credits, AP, IB, and dual enrollment, but does not include courses you are enrolled in for the current semester). Next, use the chart on the Registrar’s website to determine what day you can register.

Finally, let’s do another reflection. This time, think about what your ideal next semester would look like. Ask yourself questions like:

1. How many credit hours would be my absolute minumum/maximum?
2. What classes am I really excited to take?
3. What would be a good balance of challenging and easier courses?
4. Besides class, what else do I want to accomplish next semester? Will I be working? Doing research? Taking on a leadership role?

If you do have questions for an advisor, you should arrange to see them at least 1-2 weeks before your enrollment appointment opens. Registration time is very busy in advising offices, and you may experience long wait times, so being proactive is key!

I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of Building your Best Schedule! Stay tuned for next time when I’ll introduce you to the key steps and tools I use when helping students create a semester-plan! In the meantime, you can always email your advisor with questions, or tweet me @ChemCompSciADV

Steps to Landing a Summer Internship

If you’re planning on completing an internship this summer, now is the time to start looking for one. Some majors require internships, however all students can benefit from practical work experiences. Summer is an opportune time to explore careers opportunities in your field of study, apply what you’ve learned in the classroom, build your resume, and network with industry professionals. Here’s our advice for scoring a great internship.

Step 1: Prep

If you’re seeking an internship for credit towards your major, you need to understand all of the requirements and procedures. See your academic advisor and visit your department’s website to learn the internship certification process for your major. Lower division students can have internships and learning experiences recognized through the Career Centers Experiential Recognition Program. Make sure to update your resume and identify the people who you may want to serve as references.

Step 2: Search

There are plenty of internship opportunities you just need to know where to look. Start by simply asking around, word of mouth is probably the best way to find and land opportunities. If you know anyone connected to an industry you’d like to explore, ask them if they are aware of temporary positions or other ways you can get involved. And your contact doesn’t have to be the CEO of an organization; professors, peers, and friends are your best resources. If you’re in a student organization, see where members interned in the past, and if they could refer you. Also make new connections, attend networking events and internship fairs around campus, even casual social interactions could result in a great gig. You can also find internship announcements listed on Seminole Link and departmental job boards.

Whether its Blackboard or Facebook, find where internship opportunities are posted for students in your major and stay plugged-in. Use public job sites to search statewide and national opportunities and attend Career Center events to mingle with employers. Also consider your desired location, compensation, and learning outcomes of your internship. Lastly, be mindful of scams; student interns aren’t always paid but you should never find yourself paying to intern. Be diligent and research the organization before you volunteer your summer away.

Step 3: Impress

Now that you’ve seen announcements and job descriptions you can refine your application. Hopefully you’ve perfected your resume with help from Career Center specialists or other mentors. Secure recommendations by asking for letters well in advance, and talking to people before you list them as references. Market yourself by using LinkedIn and other social media platforms; be that your online, public presence reflects you in the best light.

Step 4: Apply

Now that everything is in line you can confidently submit applications to various opportunities, so cast a wide net! Also, try reaching out to the contact person for the internship, call ask questions and let them know you’re applying.

Step 5: Perform

Some internship’s may extend offers based on applications alone, others may require a phone or in person interviews. If you do land an interview, prepare: schedule a mock interview with the Career Center, be knowledgeable of the organization to which you’re applying, and present yourself professionally. After the interview, follow-up. Whatever the outcome, maintain contacts and continue building professional relationships at FSU and beyond. Keep in touch with mentors and let them know how your search went. Be a mentor for your peers by sharing your internship experience and referring others. And most importantly, learn as much as you can!

If you would like more in-depth advice on securing an internship, attend one of the ‘Landing and Internship’ workshops hosted by the Career Center. Upcoming dates: Wednesday, March 4; Wednesday, March 25; Wednesday, April 1 Dunlap Success Center Rooms 2201 & 2202 | 3 – 4 p.m. Click here for more workshop schedules.

Why You Should Date before Getting Married to Your Major

I stayed with my highschool sweetheart all through college. We met my junior year of high school in a class on career exploration. Let me tell you, I was absolutely smitten! I knew right away this was the one. We stayed together all through college, even though there were other opportunities I wanted to explore (and some that I almost made really big commitments to!), I stuck with my first love. After college we started moving in different directions, and even though we almost never get together anymore, I don’t regret a day of it.

I think the reason it worked out so well is that this sweetheart of mine wasn’t a human being: It was my major!

That’s right, I’m talking about my first love, linguistics! I decided on this major when I started searching for colleges, declared it officially in my sophomore year, and even through my “pre-med phase” (when I was convinced I would be a doctor) I never once considered changing it.

It’s weird how similar our relationships with our majors in college can be to our relationships with people. We start off by making a commitment to something we think we want, maybe even love, that we can see ourselves with for the rest of our lives. We’re looking for something that will help us build a secure future, that will fulfill us, and make us hapy.

And sometimes, we find out along the way that it’s not what we thought.

As an advisor, I’m always shocked when people decide to declare or change their major without having taken classes in it first! It’s like committing to marriage when you’ve never been on a date! And how many of us would scream if our parents tried to choose our romantic partners, but seem perfectly alright giving them a say in what we study in college?

So here’s my advice: before you make a committment to your major, go on a few dates!

Here’s why:

• Just like in the dating pool, in terms of class and major options, college has a lot more options to offer than high school did! There are majors out there that might be your perfect match, but chances are you haven’t met yet. How many people get the chance to take a meteorolgy course in high school? Or a class in dietetics, or actuarial science? If you take the time to explore your options, you might find your academic soulmate where you least expect it!
• Like people, some majors make a great first impression, but just aren’t your type. Take for example, my passing fling with the health professions: I loved it’s kindness and focus on helping people, I was impressed by the intelligence it required, and my parents absolutely LOVED the idea of me being a doctor. I was pretty far along that path before a helpful mentor, some great professors, and some self-reflection helped me realize that it wasn’t going to work out long-term. It just wasn’t what I wanted.
• Breakups can go well, or they can be messy. Just like a Taylor Swift song, sometimes a major change can bring on a lot of drama. At FSU we have strict mapping requirements, and if you don’t keep up with your milestones, you might be “rejected” by your major.  Or you might not be accepted into a limited access major, like communications or nursing, which can feel a lot like unrequited love! There’s no guarantee that your relationship will go exactly as planned, but rushing into a major before you really get to know it makes it more likely you’ll end up with heartbreak.

Jumping into the Dating Pool

Here are some methods you can use to help you in your quest for Major love:

• Online “Dating”: FSU offers a list of every single major we offer online through our Academic Program Guide. Most other universities offer something similar. You can find out information here about whether they have a GPA requirement or application specific to the major, and you can also see what courses are required to complete the degree.
• Matchmaker: Visit your Career Center on campus and let them know you’re trying to choose a major. They have assessments and resources to help you figure out what you’re looking for, and can match you up with majors that seem like a good fit
• Take it out for a test-drive: If you haven’t yet, enroll in an intro-level course for the major you are considering. (Bonus points if it also meets your general requirements!) This will give you a pretty good taste of what the major will be like. Talk to an advisor for that major if you need help figuring out which course would be the best to start out with.

I’d love to hear your Major love stories! Comment or tweet me @ChemCompSciADV to share how things went with your first or second (or third, or fourth) academic love!

“To Drop or Not to Drop…. That is the Question”

In this blog, guest writer William Leparulo, Advising First advisor for Engineering majors, answers the age old question:

“To be or not to be…that is the question”

or

“To drop or not…..that is the question”

So maybe you’ve done everything right, going to class, office hours, ACE tutoring, study groups, but something just isn’t clicking.

Or maybe it is the 7^th week and you have bombed every quiz and the test you got back shows that you are barely literate despite all of your best efforts!

So now you are thinking “maybe just maybe I need to pull the plug (drop this class) on this one, but what are the consequences of such action?”

Unfortunately the only advantage to dropping a class is that you don’t have to let the poor grade hurt your GPA and if you are on Academic Warning or Probation (below a 2.0 GPA) this is an option you should use, but unfortunately there are some disadvantages… so let’s talk about the bad news.

Dropping of classes have several consequences:

1. If you use Bright Futures then expect your future to include paying for the class you just dropped.  It would be a good idea to make sure you have the funds to do this, b/c FSU will put a hold on you as soon as you drop the class.

2. If you use Bright Futures they require you to uphold a certain credit hour standard! You may need to be especially careful about dropping under this credit hour standard b/c you may lose Bright Futures entirely. #contactbrightfutures for the specific information

3. Depending on how “hardcore” your major is, you may fall behind in the Map academically. Certain majors expect you to pass certain classes by certain semesters. You can find FSU’s academic maps in our Academic Program Guide. If you drop a class you are failing you may be indirectly also be out of a major. #contactanadvisor before doing such an action

4. Penalties related with Excess credit. So there is this nasty rule that says you can’t drop or fail or take the wrong kind of class or be charged “excess credit”. You have a buffer, but just remember if the buffer is already out than you may be paying a surcharge. #contactanadvisor before doing such an action.

So to summarize:

Drops are good for saving your GPA, but they could be bad if you don’t get all of the information…so do your homework, and talk with your advisor!

Class with a Cold: Tips for when you’re sick at school

What season comes right after the Holiday Season? That’s right! Cold and Flu season! I’ve seen so many people on campus in the past week or so who are feeling under the weather, and even caught a cold myself. Everyone gets them, so we tend to make light of the utter agony that is the common cold, to say nothing about bigger sicknesses like flu (ugh!). Especially at college, missing class can mean falling behind really quickly, but going to class sick is usually not the best option.

So to help you through this sneezy, drowsy, dizzy season, here are my tips for handling your cold with class!

Tip #1: Stock up on the essentials

When you start feeling a little under the weather, make sure you take the time to stock up on the things you’ll need: tissues, tea or juice, lots of fresh fruit and veggies and cold medicine! At home, we normally have these things laying around from the last time someone was sick, but when you’re away at school it’s up to you! Go out and get them now while you still have the energy! Don’t get caught in a big snotty sneeze without a tissue!

Tip #2: Take some time for you

We know there are always a billion things to do on campus, especially at FSU. Spending the night in can feel like missing out (a terrible fate for those of us with FOMO!). But staying in and resting is normally the best way to get better. Let your body rest, and then catch up with all the fun when you’re feeling 100%.

Tip #3: Use your Health and Wellness Center!

When you know your sick, make an appointment at your health center. You can find out how to make an appointment at FSU on the Health Services website. The doctors there can help you figure out if what you have is just a cold, or if it might be something more. They can also write perscriptions if necessary, and provide a “verification of visit”, which can come in handy if you’re professor asks for documentation when you miss class.

Tip #4: Keep your germs to yourself!

If you live on campus or with a roommate, if you decide to go to class while sick, or if you visit university offices while sick, it’s very important to take measures not to infect others! Be considerate and keep any used tissues to yourself until you find a trash can. After class or using a computer in the computer lab, wipe down the surfaces you touched with a disinfectant or antibacterial spray. Someone else will use it later, and you don’t want to spread your germs! And maybe, just for a few days, hold off on the handshakes or hugs?

Tip #5: Eat healthy foods!

When your sick and sad, it can be tempting to fall back into your favorite comfort foods ( I may or may not have had a Lucy & Leo’s cupcake last night to make me feel better…) but those foods tend to be high in sugars, dairy, salt, and other things that aren’t necessarily nourishing our bodies. Instead, stop by the campus dining halls and get some nourishing soup, and fruits and veggies that will help boost your immune system. And maybe eat an apple for desert instead of one of those delicious cookies, just until you’re feeling better!

Remember, it’s hard to do your best work if you’re not feeling your best, so make time to take care of your health first!

For more resources about health and wellness on campus, check out FSU’s University Health Services and the wellness services available through campus recreation.

Do you have tips for other students? Share how you stay well in comments, or tweet me @ChemCompSciADV

5 Resolutions for the New Semester

Vacation is over folks! Ensure a successful semester by making some improvements. Take a look at our suggestions for new semester resolutions.

1. Stop procrastinating

Procrastinating can feel rewarding but it’s actually holding you back. Think about it: if you can have relative success by putting things off and doing everything at the last-minute, imagine what you can achieve by making a timely effort to study and complete assignments. Don’t put off seeing your advisor or attending office hours either; handle issues before they’re urgent. Beyond the classroom, staying organized and planning ahead allows you to be more productive and flexible, and less wasteful. To avoid wasting time and having to pull all-nighters, try using productivity tools like these: Self Control , best productivity apps. So this semester, stat by adding important academic dates to your calendar, planning for major deadlines, and making a weekly schedule for recurring activities like class, work, club meetings, and studying.

2. Utilize more campus resources

One of the greatest perks of college life is that you have access to an abundance of resources. Beyond the obvious facilities and libraries, there’s database and academic journal access, technologies and premium computer programs, health and fitness services, and several academic support resources. Also at your disposal is the wonderful Career Center and helpful workshops offered by various departments. Make an effort to take advantage of resources that you have yet to use. Remember, it’s costing you or someone else quite a bit of money for you to be here, so get your money’s worth.

3. Get  involved

There are over 600 recognized student clubs and organizations at FSU; that sounds like enough to suit everyone’s interests. But joining is only the first step, it’s important to be active within clubs and organizations. Aim to be a contributing member by partaking in events or working on a committee. Stay connected by following organizations on social media and make sure you’re on the list serve to receive correspondences. You can also attend campus wide events: check out the campus calendar and Nole Central to see about fun and interesting events.

4. Make new connections

Your undergraduate experience should be more than a scholastic one, it’s also social. As your home away from home, you need a supportive family here at FSU. Don’t limit yourself to the social circle that you established during freshman year; each day is an opportunity to grow your network. Reach beyond your current crowd to make friends with classmates and peers, take advantage of networking opportunities to build professional relationships, and get to know some professors so that they can serve as mentors. These relationships can be sources of joy and mutual support that won’t be bound by your time in college; you’ll always have your FSU family so make it a great one.

5. Find balance

There is plenty of time to study, work, and have a social life. Whether its schoolwork, an extracurricular group, or leisure, your time shouldn’t be dominated by any one activity. Planning ahead gives you an opportunity to insert balance into your schedule. Your planner can have your class and study schedule as well as the time you want to devote to working out and watching TV. You’ll find yourself in academic trouble if you spend all of your time working, socializing, and playing club sports, but being cooped up in the library 24/7 is not practical either. Be honest about what commitment’s you can make this semester, and how you can maximize your contentment and productivity.

Feel free to customize these resolutions and come up with your own personal goals. Stick to your resolutions until new, positive routines are habitual. Have a great semester!

Drop/Add like a Boss!

It happens every semester: the drop/add week. Some colleges call it “shopping week”, the idea being you can try your classes out for a week, and then change your schedule without any financial penalties.  But some classes don’t actually teach during that first class meeting, am I right?

How many of you have sat through an hour of course policies and reviewing the syllabus, only to leave class with no clue what your professor’s teaching style is?

There are some REALLY helpful things you can do during the drop/add week to prepare for the coming semester and figure out which courses might be an issue. So follow my advice to make the most of your drop/add!

Tip #1: Know your No’s

Hopefully, you have a pretty good idea of what you like and what you don’t like in a course.  Do you prefer multiple choice tests to essays? Do you never ever want to wake up before 8am ever again? Do you do better in classes with multiple homework assignments, or with just one big test? While you sit through those syllabus reviews, keep an eye out for your deal breakers. If you find a lot of them in one class it might be a sign that you should look for a different course (if it’s an elective) or a different professor (if it’s required).

If you can’t change the class, make a note on the front of your syllabus that this class might be difficult for you. That will come in handy for your next step.

Tip #2: Plan Ahead

Most professors put some sort of course schedule in the syllabus, letting you know what topics will be covered and when. Almost all professors will tell you when the big assignments are coming up. Go through your syllabus and highlight these things: when are homework assignments do? when are your exams? when are the review sessions?

Once you’ve found all the dates, write them in on a calendar (if you don’t have one, our Academic Center for Excellence has a great template here!), and color code the classes. Think back to the assignments you think will be hardest for you and highlight them so they stand out. Now, hang the calendar up somewhere you will see it every day (I always kept mine right above my laptop), so you’ll always be reminded what’s coming up!

Tip #3: Set up your System

It’s important to monitor your progress in each class as you go along. I really like to use apps for this, since I’m pretty bad at math. Most professors include their grading system in the syllabus. You can use an app like Grades 3  or School Grades Tracker to program in the grading schemes. Then, as you get each grade back, add it into the app to help calculate your grade!

Tip #4: Find a Buddy

The last tip I have for your drop/add week success is to find one buddy in each class. This can be a friend taking the class with you, or just someone you sat next to on the first day.  Ask them whether they’re planning on keeping the class on their schedule, and if they are, exchange emails/phone numbers so that you have someone to ask for help if you need to miss a class, or you can’t read your notes for a certain day.

Helpful hint: People in the front row tend to take lots and lots of notes. They make great course buddies!

So, I hope you find these tips super helpful as you start your Spring 2015 semester! If you have more questions, leave them in the comments or tweet me @ChemCompSciADV

Home for The Holidays

Another semester has come to a close. For those of you heading home, a part of you is excited about the much-needed break from class, campus, and all the stresses of college life. However you’re a little anxious about facing your families for the first time in months. Whether it’s explaining that class you dropped, or why your mom can no longer see your photos on Facebook, we have some tips on how to navigate awkward situations and survive the next few weeks.

Readjusting

You were in high school the last time you lived under your parents’ roof full-time, and a lot has changed since then. Freshmen may find it particularly painful to revert back to their lifestyle at home. Your family will also be adapting to your new-found independence and maturity. The best way to avoid tension is to act like the young adult that you are; if you behave like an adolescent parents will continue treating you like one.

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Upperclassmen may observe their parents downsizing and preparing for their impending departure. Don’t freak out if your parents have converted your bedroom into a fitness center. Many parents of college students realize that it is no longer practical to maintain a bedroom that is only inhabited once every few months. Just don’t take it personally and enjoy the luxury of having a home and family to return to during the holidays.

Grades

Your parents probably want to know how you’re performing in your classes, and you may or may not want to give full disclosure. Well, you’re not obligated to share private academic information such as grades with anyone, it’s entirely up to you. Student Central actually lets you grant delegated access to your student information; you can allow your parents to see everything from holds to transcripts, or you can limit their access to just financials. Learn how to assign delegated access here. Approach sharing your academic information with a good balance of discretion and openness to satisfy both you and your parents. The same goes for Facebook.

Hometown friends & SO’s

Take this time to catch up with old friends. It’s okay to admit that you’re homesick, people probably miss you too. For those of you in a long distance relationship, this is your time to see your significant other. Text messaging and Skype can only do so much to sustain a relationship, so get the quality time in while you can.

Getting Out

As tempting as it is to stay in and binge watch Shameless, try not to be a total hermit. Hang out with family, leave the house, get in that dentist appointment that’s long overdue- anything. Just don’t spend the entire break on the couch.

Sticking around?

For those of you who are remaining in Tallahassee over the break, be aware of campus holiday hours and closures. The Seminole Express and Night Nole will be out of service until the day before classes start. You will have access to some campus facilities during the break: Strozier and several other campus libraries will be open from 8am to 5pm up until December 24th, and will reopen on the Sunday of the first week of class. The FMC will remain open from 6:00am to 9:00pm until December 20th and will resume normal hours on January 5th. Residence halls will also reopen on January 5th.

Happy Holidays!

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