"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." --Maya Angelou
As the spring semester winds down, we encourage you to approach the summer season as a time to RESET with some well-earned rest and reflection. Recognize your growth and development this past academic year and be proud of your accomplishments. Take some time to celebrate your wins---big and small!
Some of you may have faced challenges and obstacles over this past year. Take this opportunity to develop new goals or strategies to position you for a better future.
Ask yourself:
Academically, what kind of year did I have?
What were my successes, and what were my challenges?
What adjustments should I make regarding time management and communicating with my instructors?
In terms of your academic plan and timeline to graduation:
Did I complete as many credits and courses as I had planned?
Do I need to repeat a course? Please become familiar with the Course Repeat Policy and applicable limitations and deadlines.
What are some ways I get more academic support next semester? The Academic Success Center has many great resources!
Am I taking any summer courses? Summer sessions can be a great 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!
What about your academic major? Consider the following:
What aspects of my major am I enjoying, and what uncertainties do I still have?
How does what I'm studying impact my future career goals?
If you are undecided or are considering changing your major, check out the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising's Exploratory Page for more resources/information to help you move closer toward a decision.
Do I have any General Education Requirements left to complete? Can I use those courses to explore majors or minors I might be interested in?
Tip: If you are still exploring career options related to your academic major, spend this summer talking to people with careers that interest you. Check out the online self-exploration resources at UMBC and don't forget to stay tuned for updates about our The Major Event happening in November!
Using all of this information, review your class schedule for the 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: If you have not registered for the fall semester and need advising assistance, talk to a departmental advisor or contact the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising at oapa@umbc.edu.
Aside from academics, take some time to think about your social and extra-curricular involvement at UMBC:
- Did I get involved on or off-campus in activities/events that interest me?
- How well did I balance my social and academic life?
- What lessons did I learn from getting involved?
Tip: Extracurriculars can be a great way to meet new people and get club and leadership experience that looks great on a resume!
Lastly, make sure you spend some time thinking about where you are financially right now:
- How did I budget my money during the academic year?
- Do I have concerns about paying tuition or funding other aspects of college?
- Am I aware of the financial tools and resources available as a UMBC student?
Tip: Check out the status of your student account on myUMBC (under the topic Billing & Personal Finances) to be sure everything is in order. Check-in with your Financial Aid Counselor for assistance exploring funding opportunities as well! The Financial Smarts@UMBC website also provides excellent information on financing your education, living on a budget, and the concept of credit.
Finally, UMBC is still up and running if you need support this summer!
Again, we congratulate you for all you have accomplished this semester. We hope you use the following months as a time to keep moving forward toward your goals. It is always possible to reassess your plans and set yourself up for success. Remember that we are here to help you make it happen!