Year-by-Year Guide
Here are year-by-year guidelines to help you "Finish-in-4".
You’ll never have more free time than your freshmen year, so get involved! Spend time finding what interests you through student organizations, events, and activities.
To Do
- Learn how to use your student Portal and the tools it offers.
- You may access Portal at this link - https://experience.elluciancloud.com/uona
- Access Canvas – Track your courses and grades by semester for all of your courses
- Take courses and get involved; join student organizations related to your major or exploratory program to see if it’s the right fit for you.
- Take General Education Core courses first.
- Attend the Exploratory Majors Fair.
- Learn how to access, navigate, and understand Degree Works (your degree plan).
What to ask your academic support specialist/faculty advisor
- Which General Education courses should I take this semester?
- Which courses are right for my major/exploratory program?
- Which major pre-requisites can I start taking now?
- What student activities or organizations are related to my interests?
Resources
- Your student Portal
- Access Canvas – Track your courses and grades by semester for all of your courses
- First-Year Experience program – helpful information for your first year
- Learn more about Majors – To find the major that’s right for you
- Access Degree Works
- Exploratory Advising – General advising information
- Student Engagement – For university-wide student events, activities, and organizations
Now that you are more comfortable at UNA, think about getting more involved and taking on more responsibilities. Become a leader in an organization, get involved as a peer mentor or start thinking about careers and internships. Also, think about study abroad or study away programs.
To Do
- Decide if you are happy with your major. Changing your major will get much harder – and more expensive – after the first year.
- If you’re considering changing your major, talk to an Academic Support Specialist and/or faculty advisor to learn more about those majors.
- Finish all of general education courses by the end of the year.
- Plan your degree plan carefully. Not all courses are offered each semester, and your class choices will become increasingly limited.
- Start to research careers or graduate programs and start thinking about what you want to do after graduation.
What to ask your academic support specialist/faculty advisor
- Which General Education courses do I have left?
- Am I missing prerequisites for my major?
- Which study abroad opportunities does my major offer?
- What research or internship opportunities are available?
- Which faculty advisor/academic support specialist should I talk to about changing my major?
Resources
- Study Abroad – Make the world your educational experience
- Learn more about Majors – To find the major that’s right for you
- Access Degree Works
- Student Engagement – For university-wide student events, activities, and organizations
- Career Center – Find internships, job placements, and salary information of jobs in your major
Start networking. Get to know your professors and peers. Those you forge relationships with now will assist you in the future, giving you guidance and support as you progress towards your career or graduate school.
To Do
- Meet one-on-one with professors to discuss your goals for career or graduate school.
- Choose electives based on your major or degree plan.
- Learn how to create a resume, cover letter, and improve your interview skills.
- Use student engagement (e.g., student organizations, civic engagement, experiential learning) to build experience.
- Plan your degree plan carefully. Not all courses are offered each semester, and your class choices will become increasingly limited.
What to ask your academic support specialist/faculty advisor
- Which semester is the best time to take this course?
- Which courses should I take if I want to go to graduate school?
- Are there internship or research opportunities?
- Am I close to the excess credit threshold?
Resources
- Study Abroad – Make the world your educational experience
- Learn more about Majors – To find the major that’s right for you
- Student Engagement – For university-wide student events, activities, and organizations
- Career Center – Find internships, job placements, learn dinner etiquette, and salary information of jobs in your major
Congrats. You’re almost done! You should be finishing your remaining courses, applying for graduation, and planning to start your career or continue on to graduate school.
To Do
- Meet one-on-one with professors to discuss your goals for career or graduate school.
- Identify mentors.
- Review and polish your resume.
- Attend graduate school fairs or job fairs.
- Apply for graduation the semester before your last.
- Plan for commencement ceremonies at the start of your last semester.
What to ask your academic support specialist/faculty advisor
- Am I on track to graduate at the end of this year? Check your degree plan in Degree Works.
- What courses am I missing?
- Do I have enough experience to get a job after graduation?
- Am I prepared for graduate school?
Resources
- Apply for graduation
- Contact Career Center – Find internships, job placements, and polish resume
- Contact Office of Alumni Relations – make sure we have your most recent contact information. Keep us posted on how well you are doing in your career and life in general.
- Always visit us during homecoming week. Rise and Roar!