You often hear talk of the sophomore slump- a time where students can experience heightened uncertainty and lower motivation, in addition to second guessing choices they have made in their first year of college.
However, as we find ourselves in our second semester as a virtual community, and with the uncertainty the pandemic has brought to our lives, we recognize that this same type of slump is likely impacting students at all levels – a college slump, if you will.
Below we lay out strategies and resources for overcoming a challenging season in college.
Socially, you may be feeling isolated and/or disconnected from your friends. With little opportunity to connect these days, you may be craving peer interaction and support in ways you never have before.
It can be hard to take the initial step, especially if you are burnt out on video calls, but try mixing it up a bit.
Additionally, don’t forget that Campus Life is still offering opportunities for student engagement. Check out their myUMBC page or follow the Student Events Board (SEB)’s for a list of events, both virtual and socially distanced. Many student organizations are also staying connected online, whether through social media or virtual meetings.
Academically, you may be feeling a lack of motivation to attend class or study. You be challenged by virtual learning, as it may not align with your preferred learning style. You also may be questioning your choice of major and wondering if you should completely change your academic path.
Generally speaking, slumps are a normal part of any college experience. It may seem like everyone around you has things 100% figured out, but most certainly, that is not the case. It’s what you do in the midst of a slump that will set the course for your remaining time at UMBC. The solution is almost always to take some form of action, no matter how small the step. If making social or academic changes seems too much right now, perhaps a step in the direction of your mental health and well-being is a better fit. If that’s the case, we encourage you to visit University Health Services and Health Promotion or the Counseling Center for support.
As you read this at the beginning of your UMBC journey you may wonder why we’re asking you to consider developing your long-term/graduation plan. After all, you may not even feel fully committed to a major yet. You may be more focused on still trying to adjust to online learning or just getting through your mid-term exams – why add the additional work of developing a long-term academic plan?
We’re glad you asked!
Long-term academic planning has several benefits:
UMBC has developed several online tools and resources to aid you in the process of developing your long-term/graduation plan – all of which you can access through your myUMBC Profile. Here you can:
If you didn’t get a chance to participate in this year’s Major Event – we invite you to listen to the recording of our Create your MAJOR Roadmap program. In this program, we will review some of these tools, as well as walk you through how to begin developing a long-term/graduation.
Prior to listening to the recording, please take a minute to pull up the following documents on your computer:
Set-up a Meeting
Utilize your Professor’s office hours! The sole purpose of these hours is to help you outside of class. Whether it be an assignment you’re confused about or a simple check-in on your progress in the class, you’d be surprised at the kind of insight you can gain from one-on-one sessions.
Note: It’s likely that right now, office hours or 1:1 meetings will be held virtually. Your Professor can provide information on setting up an appointment/access to their virtual space, whether through Webex or Blackboard Collaborate.
EMAIL EMAIL EMAIL!
Our busy schedules as students don’t always allow for a 1:1 meeting. Connecting through email is better than no correspondence at all. When you email your instructor:
When emailing, try to stay within the frame of typical business hours or their office hours if possible—you may get a faster reply this way.
After You Connect:
Follow up with your Professor after your sessions. Whether it be an assurance that you are implementing their advice correctly—or to say thank you—following up with your Professor shows you care and makes the relationship one of reciprocity.
Network:
Attend departmental events or other campus events your professors promote in class to establish a relationship that surpasses the classroom and discover new interests.
Whether this is your first semester at UMBC or you were with us in the spring, it’s clear we are all still adapting to learning and connecting within a virtual community. Some days you may feel like you have a good handle on online learning, while other days may feel overwhelming. We understand and want to ensure you that this ebb and flow is normal!
UMBC’s faculty and staff are committed to ensuring you have all of the resources and support you need to have a successful semester. Yes, we are virtual, but similar to in-person learning, it’s often the extra steps you take to stay organized, manage your time, and utilize campus resources that influence the outcome of your semester.
We encourage you to check out The Academic Success Center’s Online Learning Resource website, which includes a series of videos and a link to an interactive module to prepare you for success.
The Division of Information Technology’s (DoIT) Learning Online website also includes some helpful information about how to make the most of the technology you are using for your classes.
If you are looking for a student’s perspective, see what some of our OAPA peer advisors have to say about how they’ve navigated online learning:
Note: Not all online classes are similarly structured. Some of your courses this semester may be synchronous, meaning you meet with the instructor and your class online at the same time, while others may be asynchronous, where your instructor provides you the course content to access at any time.
“Personally, I have found listing all the assignments I need to complete for the week on my laptop to be the most helpful to keep me organized. It can get overwhelming at times, but setting a schedule and planning the day can help tremendously. I've found myself doing assignments back to back just to get it over with, and it can be very draining. Make sure to give yourself breaks in between! The majority of my classes are asynchronous, so when I have a question, I've noticed the Blackboard discussion board [is] the most beneficial [way] to find the answer to my questions.” – Irene Thomas, Biological Sciences
“I keep in contact with other engineering students by utilizing the app Discord. It allows for different forms of chatting, including voice and text. Also, similarly to Webex, it allows you to share your screen with other people in your group. In general, communicating with other students, even outside my major, helps with this new online format and not feeling completely isolated during the semester.” – Tre Barr, Computer Engineering
“When it comes to synchronous classes, I have found one savior...alarms. Using calendars is a great way to schedule and divvy up your time, but when it comes to getting to a class on time from the comfort of your home (or wherever you're beaming in from) that can be tricky. Since this pandemic has started my sleep schedule is relatively non-existent, so having alarms go off throughout the day has been helpful--even if I'm already up it's very in-my-face.” – Jenika Brown, English
“Although most of my classes are asynchronous, something I found helpful to stay on top of work is that I try to do work for each class at that normally scheduled time. (ex: if anatomy was supposed to be from 10-11am, I do my anatomy work at home from 10-11am, even though there is no live lecture.) This helps me stay on top of all the assignments, and not wait till the last minute to do it all.” – Leah Mathews, Health Administration & Policy
Finally, it’s important to make sure you connect with your professor, academic advisor, or another member of your support network, early on if you find you are having difficulty with your online classes. This will ensure you get the help you need with enough time to get back on track.
If you would like to speak to someone in the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising, our advisors are available to meet via scheduled appointments. Additionally, if you would like to speak with one of our peer advisors, we now have a virtual front counter that can be accessed Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.
Did you know that every student at UMBC has an assigned academic advisor?
For most students, this will be a professor in your academic major department. Others will work with a professional (full-time) advisor, at least until they have reached their junior year or selected a major (in the case of our office who work with undecided/exploratory students).
Something a bit unique to UMBC is that all students are required to meet with their advisor at least once a semester, prior to registration.
But let’s back up a bit. What exactly is academic advising?
An academic advisor’s role is to assist you in planning your academic career at UMBC. You can talk to your advisor about:
In preparation for an advising appointment, it’s helpful to review your degree card on your myUMBC Profile. Here you can:
Additionally, you will want to develop a list of questions/topics to discuss with your advisor in order to give the meeting some structure.
In terms of spring advising and registration (I know, we just started the fall semester, but time flies!), the schedule of classes will be available on Monday, October 26th. You can review the course offerings and discuss them with your academic advisor when you meet.
Be ready to discuss any outstanding items or questions you might have from previous advising meetings. We also recommend that you take notes (your advisor will as well and you have the ability to access these notes in your Advising History on myUMBC)!
Spring 2020 registration begins Tuesday, November 3. Your exact registration date depends on the total amount of credits earned. Information regarding your exact registration time will be available in early October.
Have questions?
Check out information on several personalized degree planning tools offered at UMBC
Contact the Office of Academic & Pre-Professional Advising at oapa@umbc.edu.
If you have a quick question, you can also send us a DM on Instagram @umbc_advising or pop into our virtual front counter M-F from 8:30am-4:30pm.
It has been quite a year, to say the least!
We have witnessed UMBC grit at its finest. Together, our campus community has worked hard to remain connected, and has pressed forward in the midst of great adversity and uncertain times.
We are all still adjusting to the changes brought on by COVID-19, and we know that it is still on the forefront of most every student’s mind. It may be difficult to remember what the academic year was like before we became a virtual community.
However, as spring semester winds down, we encourage you to approach the summer season as a time of well-earned rest and reflection. Recognize the growth and development that took place over the entirety of this past year and be proud of your accomplishments. Identify any obstacles or challenges you faced and take the opportunity to develop new goals and/or strategies that will better position you for the road ahead.
Consider the following:
Academically, what kind of year did I have?
Tip: Review your class schedule for fall semester and make sure it still makes sense given the academic year you just completed (i.e.- do you need to repeat a class? Are you enrolled in too many credits?).
Tip: Consider taking online summer courses as a way to catch-up or get ahead. Summer registration is still open and doesn’t require advising clearance. Remember, Finish 15 to stay on track!
Note: If you have still not registered for fall semester and are in need of advising assistance, please contact the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising at oapa@umbc.edu.
What was my social/extra-curricular involvement like?
Tip: It’s never too late to get involved. If you are looking for opportunities on campus, be sure to check out the following sites:
What is my current satisfaction and confidence level with my academic major?
Tip: If you are still exploring career options related to your academic major, spend time this summer talking to people who have careers that interest you.
Tip: Check out the self-exploration resources online via UMBC’s Career Center
Tip: Participate in The Major Event during the fall semester. Stay tuned for updates!
Financially, where am I right now?
Tip: Check out the status of your student account on myUMBC (under the topic Billing & Personal Finances) to be sure everything is in order.
Tip: Explore the Financial Smarts @ UMBC website for great information on financing your education, living on a budget, and the concept of credit.
Finally, if you need support this summer, please know that UMBC is still up and running virtually! Click here to access the COVID-19 student site for a centralized list of campus contact information and resources.
Deciding on an academic major is a big deal! We have so many options at UMBC, including a unique major for students who are interested in carving out their own pathway.
Do you have so many academic interests that it’s difficult to pick just one? Are you curious how different academic disciplines can intersect? Do you want the chance to have more “say” in the types of classes you take? The Indivualized Study Program at UMBC might be just what you’re looking for!
We interviewed Carrie Sauter, Assistant Director of the INDS Program, to bring you more information about this exciting opportunity.
EC: Can you briefly describe the Individualized Studies program? What are the benefits to a student who selects this path?
CS: Individualized Study (INDS) is a unique path for a highly motivated undergraduate student to design their own major to meet specific goals. Students in the program merge courses from several disciplines into one themed degree plan. In addition to our core courses, we encourage internships and research outside the classroom. A quote from one of our alums: "My INDS degree has provided me: (1) critical thinking skills (2) tools to facilitate interprofessional conversations (3) fostered my understanding of research methods and application to research projects and (4) developed a sense of curiosity to understand problems from multiple perspectives."
EC: What additional work is involved to officially "declare" INDS. Can you talk a bit about the proposal writing process?
CS: We encourage anyone at any stage of their academic career to consider INDS. Obviously we would like to start advising students as early as possible, even before transferring to UMBC. Our core curriculum is a minimum of four semesters, and we would be happy to talk to students about how that can work with their goal graduation date. To declare INDS, students simply need to meet with an advisor in the program and obtain a signature on the Declaration of Major form. While in the second course in our core curriculum, INDS 335 Degree Writing Seminar, students craft a degree plan, present it to our faculty committee, and secure two degree mentors. The degree plan consists of not just a list of classes in a timeline, but a narrative of why this major is best suited for the student, definitions for particular aspects in the degree, and ways this degree plan connects to immediate and long-term goals.
EC: Besides the fact that you are creating your own degree plan, what do you think sets the INDS major apart from other majors?
CS: INDS students stand out in any application process: employers, graduate school admissions, medical school committees. Our students and graduates say they are able to think across disciplines, consider other viewpoints, and communicate clearly. We also require INDS students to complete a capstone project completed in their final year.
A quote from an alum: "In the public health field I am constantly interacting with professionals from other fields and disciplines such as social workers, medical doctors, policy makers, entrepreneurs, and a variety of researchers. As an Individualized Study student, I learned to see the strengths each different discipline could offer to address a problem and create an optimal solution no discipline could independently develop. Instead of seeing divides between my colleagues from different fields, I see connections and ways to build bridges by avoiding stereotypes of certain fields and communicating with shared language. This perspective will help me work more effectively with colleagues from a variety of professions to help create more comprehensive culturally appropriate health programs as a future physician aiming to promote integrative care."
EC Any notable alumni stories you can share? Any interesting things alumni have gone on to do?
CS: INDS students have gone on to medical school, law school, physical therapy school, doctoral programs, and employment across diverse fields. We also have several alumni who have started their own business after graduation. Notable highlights of graduates from the past eight years: two graduates with fully-funded PhD programs at Harvard University and University of Manchester (UK); full-tuition merit scholarship to George Washington University School of Law; Forensic Chemist at Prince George's County Police Department; software engineer at Northrop Grumman; Biomedical Engineering PhD at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; professor of entrepreneurship and business at Howard Community College; Software Developer at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Sounds like something you might be interested in? Click here to explore this pathway further.
]]>It is likely that social media is a part of your daily routine and a main way that you stay socially connected to friends and family.
But perhaps you don’t know some of the more unique ways social media can help maximize your overall college experience. If that’s the case, let us highlight three ways you can use social media as a college student:
Connect with UMBC Offices and Organizations
Many UMBC offices and organizations have their own active social media accounts. You can follow a UMBC office or organization to learn more about the services they provide or exciting opportunities they have for students. And some, like our office, welcome DMs (direct messages) from students regarding any questions or concerns you may have.
Check out some of these UMBC social media accounts:
SEB (Student Events Board)
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Network with potential employers
Whether you are on the hunt for an internship, job, or exploring graduate school opportunities, following the social media accounts of places you’re interested in can tell you a lot about its mission, values, and community. This can give you some insight into whether or not a place would be a good fit for you. Some companies and organizations might even use their social media accounts to advertise employment opportunities.
If you are preparing for an internship or job interview, the information you gather from social media can then be used to show that you’ve done your research and have a working knowledge of the company or organization’s practices and current ventures.
Having a LinkedIn account is a great way to connect with professionals working in the field you are interested in. Using LinkedIn, you can message professionals to set up informational interviews (i.e. - to learn about how they entered into the field or to learn more about their job). You could also use a site like LinkedIn to join interest groups and participate in online discussions related to your field of interest.
Learn more about LinkedIn and how you can use it effectively as a college student here.
Gathering Survey Data/Assistance with Class Assignments
Do you need to conduct research for your class? Whether posting qualitative questions you want students to respond to, or sending out a survey link, social media can help you get responses from a larger group of people in a shorter amount of time – just be sure to check ahead of time to make sure your professor is okay with you using this method to gather information!
Additionally, if a class assignment requires community-based work or research, you can use social media to help you connect and network with local organizations that may be able to assist you.
--
Bonus:
Check out this UMBC course!
MCS 355 – Social Media: Networking and Mobility; pre-requisites are MCS 101 or 222 and ENGL 100 or equivalent
This course is designed to encourage students to critically engage with the growing role that social media, online networks, and mobile communication technologies play in their understanding of self and community, sociability and privacy. Students will reflect on the centrality of collaboration, networking, and participation in social media technologies. Assignments and readings will require students to interact with core questions surrounding the emergence of social media and the impact of living increasingly mediated lives. Special attention will be paid to the centrality of writing in a digital world, even as the platforms for composition, editing, and publication have changed.
]]>We get it: the financial struggle is REAL at times! Taking out student loans, paying bills, managing expenses and saving money all require strategic planning and decision making. Developing financialsavviness takes knowledge, and often time, but starting now, as a student, can have a life-long impact!
With that in mind, we interviewed Hannah Sadollah, the Programs Specialist for FinancialSmarts @ UMBC (which she’ll talk about in her interview) to shed some light on this important topic.
Extra Credit: Why do you think it is important for college students to build up their "financial savviness” right now?
Hannah: Education is an investment in yourself! College is an experience and an investment, so make sure you get a high return on investment (ROI) or benefit relative to the cost. Your college experience can still be amazing while you become more financially savvy! There are ways to make lasting memories while still saving money for the future and saving money now can have a serious impact on your future!
College can be stressful, between balancing classwork, extracurricular activities and having a social life it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out when throwing personal finances into the mix. Becoming financially savvy can help reduce this stress! For example, hanging out with friends doesn’t always have to break the bank! The UMBC Student Events Board (seb) hosts multiple events every week like; Karaoke Nights, Yoga sessions, or Glow Dodgeball! Another example is FinancialSmarts @ UMBC which hosts events during Money Smart Week (April 6th-11th) where students will be entered to win $25 Campus Cash just by attending the event! These are great ways to hang out with friends, meet new people, and save or even win money! Try following groups like FinancialSmarts on social media to learn more about all their free events.
Extra Credit: What is one financial topic you recommend college students learn more about?
Hannah: Managing money, specifically savings. As a current student unexpected costs come up all the time! Whether it’s an extra book that you need for class or replacing a missing campus ID, it’s important to be able to prepare yourself for unexpected or emergency expenses.
In January 2019 Forbes reported that 78% of U.S. workers are living paycheck to paycheck. This means that these individuals are using most or all of their monthly income on their monthly expenses with no money left over or in savings. Don’t be part of the statistic! Consider the 50/30/20 model when creating a budget. Plan to spend 50% of your monthly income on fixed costs like; rent, groceries or transportation. 30% of flex costs like; Eating out or going to concerts. And then allocate 20% of your monthly income to savings. This model makes saving and money management seem like an attainable goal and helps you create a plan to achieve it!
Extra Credit: What is UMBC FinancialSmarts and what has been the biggest way you've seen undergraduate students utilize it?
Hannah: FinancialSmarts @ UMBC provides students with the tools necessary to make informed and effective decisions about your finances. Managing money is an important part of your daily life and we encourage students to be well versed in this important life skill that many find challenging. We have arange of programs available to all students! The biggest way UMBC students engage with our content is by enrolling in the FinancialSmarts CashCourse! This is a free, self-paced, open enrollment blackboard course that allows students to learn about concepts like budgeting, saving, banking, as well as talking to them about the working world! Student can find more information about how to enroll in the course on our website at https://financialsmarts.umbc.edu/programs/cashcourse/
In addition to the CashCourse we encourage students to attend one of our many events during Money Smart Week, April 6th-11th. All of our events are fun and engaging and by attending certain events student will be entered into a drawing to win $25 Campus Cash! To learn more about these events and Money Smarts Week please visit the FinancialSmarts myUMBC page!https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/financialsmarts/events
Extra Credit: What would you say to a student who is struggling with budgeting their money?
Hannah: Don’t give up, nobody’s perfect and we all struggle sometimes! If you’re struggling to stick to your budget, try revisiting it and see what areas you might need to tweak to make it more realistic. If you primarily pay with cards or digital payment methods try taking out cash (while being mindful of non-network ATM fees). This is a helpful way to stop spending once you’re out of money. There are also budgeting applications that help users track their spending like the Mint App!
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, we encourage students to sign up for our CashCoach program which will begin its next cohort in Fall 2020! Visit our website to sign up today!https://financialsmarts.umbc.edu/programs/mybudgetcoach/
Extra Credit: What is your best piece of financial advice?
Hannah: Keep learning and asking questions! No one person has all the answers so there’s always more to explore and learn about Financial Literacy. You will go through various seasons of your life where you will need a different set of financial skills so it’s important to seek out trustworthy guidance and leverage the resources that are available to you now for free as a student!
It’s finally here – Winter Break!
You worked hard this semester and it doesn’t go unrecognized. Now is the time to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation before the spring semester begins.
As you think about how you want to spend this time away from UMBC re-charging, and if binge-watching Netflix (and Disney+...and Hulu...and Xfinity...even Crunchyroll...) just won’t suffice, check out some of the suggestions below:
1. Catch up on Sleep
Did you pull more all-nighters this past semester than you would like to admit? Now is the time to re-establish some good sleeping habits.
2. Do some light brainstorming for next semester plans.
If you found yourself too overwhelmed and busy last semester, consider what activities you may need to let go of. On the other end, if you feel you had too much time on your hands, consider some clubs or activities you may be able to get involved in this spring.
3. Take time to reconnect with family and friends
Tell your friends you cherish them! Keep your support system strong and growing into the Spring semester. Spend some time with the elders in your family learning more about your family history and heritage. This discovery about your family roots can be the inspiration you need to keep pushing forward when the going gets tough.
4. Eat a good meal! Or two. Or three...
Take a break from your typical college diet and use this time to enjoy some healthy meals. And as a note for when you get back to campus, check out these easy healthy meals you can cook up right in your residential hall!
5. Take a day trip somewhere that you haven't been or spend an afternoon exploring your hometown, or you can volunteer in your local community.
The local food bank, animal shelter, or soup kitchen can all be great ways to spend time supporting the community. A quick Google search can help you find hundreds of ways to get involved this January.
If Maryland is home, here is a list of 100 day trips from Baltimore, and places to volunteer!
6. Visit a graduate or professional school.
Whether you are just starting to think about grad school or are actually working on applications, in-person visits are always informative.
7. Set up an informational interview with a working professional.
Find out what a profession is really like and make connections with people in your future field by conducting an interview unrelated to a job search. Sample question: “What are the most important qualities for an aspiring pilot/engineer/dance therapist?” Shadowing can help you determine if a profession is really for you! Keep a journal to record notes from these experiences.
8. Update and upgrade your resume.
Opportunities sometimes come up quickly and you want to be ready with that polished resume. Every college student needs a polished resume!
9. Plan an independent research or creative project and prepare an application for the UMBC Undergraduate Research Award (URA).
The URA provides up to $1500 to support research expenses such as equipment, travel, and materials. Applications are due no later than May 1, 2020. Here is a link to the full details.
Summer internships can provide both $ and valuable experience. The more competitive internships have deadlines in fall, but some are still open in January-March. If you have already missed a deadline, get all the information so you can apply early next year. Some internships are open to recent college graduates.
10. Work on your graduation game plan.
Winter break is an excellent time to create, revise or update your plan. Here are suggestions for a pathway you can take for graduation, and it includes a worksheet to start the plans on! Don’t forget to refer to your degree audit on myUMBC!
Read more about this here.
]]>