The summer is a great time to reflect back on the academic year and re-focus on what’s ahead.
This doesn’t have to be a formal process. It also should not cause you to feel anxious or overwhelmed at what might have gone wrong. Instead, look at this time of reflection as a learning opportunity, and a chance to better grasp how your time at UMBC is growing and shaping you.
So while you’re soaking up the sun this summer, here are some topics to reflect on:
Academically, what kind of year did I have?
What were my successes and what were my challenges?
Did I complete as many credits and courses as I had planned?
Was there a particular class that gave me a new perspective?
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 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!
What was my social/extra-curricular involvement like?
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: It’s never too late to get involved. If you are looking for opportunities on campus, be sure to check out the Student Involvement Festival early in the fall semester. In the meantime, feel free to explore the list of campus organizations here.
What is my current satisfaction and confidence level with my academic major?
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 still undecided or are considering changing your major: what steps can I take to make progress towards a decision?
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?
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 to me 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.
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! While many faculty members will not be on campus, and staff might have limited hours depending on vacation schedules, campus offices are still open and available to assist students.
Please see below for a curated list of upcoming funding opportunities. The Center for Social Science Scholarship and the Maryland Institute for Policy, Analysis, and Research (MIPAR) assist faculty members and departments in finding funding opportunities and in providing researchers with pre-award and post-grant management assistance. To set up an appointment, email socialscience@umbc.edu.
Program: Research Grant
Agency: University of Maryland System
Next Deadline: May 30th, 2019
The USM Women’s Forum Faculty Research Award (FRA) provides a competitive funding opportunity for female and/or female-identified faculty who are pursuing research on women’s experiences: the social, scientific, economic, political, and health conditions that impact female and/or female identified persons.
Program: Research Grant
Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Next Deadline: May 30th, 2019
Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the AERA-NSF Grants Program emphasizes the advanced statistical analysis of data sets from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, NSF, and other federal agencies. The program also supports studies using large-scale international data systems (e.g., PISA, PIRLS, or TIMMS) that benefit from U.S. federal government support. In addition, statewide longitudinal administrative data systems enhanced through federal grants are also eligible for consideration. Proposals are encouraged from a variety of disciplines, such as, but not limited to, education, sociology, economics, psychology, demography, statistics, and psychometrics.
Contact the AERA Grants Program via email (grantsprogram@aera.net) or phone (202-238-3200) if you have any questions.
Program: Research Grant
Agency: Latino Public Broadcasting
Next Deadline: June 3rd, 2019
The Latino Public Broadcasting Funding Cycle is now accepting applications for two funding initiatives, the Public Media Content Fund and the Current Issues Fund. This is an open invitation to independent producers to submit between $40,000 and $100,000, exploring a range of topics on any subject that relates to or is representative of Latino Americans. Click here for details.
Program: Research Grant
Agency: Editing Press
Next Deadline: July 25th, 2019
The Laura Bassi Scholarship, which will award a total of $8,000 thrice per annum, was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed.
Program: Summer Fellowship
Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Next Deadline: Rolling
The Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) is an all-expense-paid Summer Institute, research education and mentoring initiative sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). This Summer Institute initiative addresses the difficulties experienced by junior investigators and transitioning postdoctoral scientists in establishing independent academic research careers and negotiating through the academic ranks. The primary outcome of this program is to increase the number of scientists and research-oriented faculty who are from backgrounds currently under-represented in the biomedical sciences and those with disabilities, by preparing them to successfully compete for external funding for scientific research in heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) disorders.
Program: International Fellowship (Europe & Eurasia Area Studies)
Agency: Fulbright
Next Deadline: September 16th, 2019
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is open and accepting applications for academic year 2020-2021! Whether you plan to conduct independent research, teach students, or pursue a professional project, Fulbright makes a real and lasting impact. Fulbright Scholars return to their home institutions with enhanced career prospects, ideas for future collaborations, and a truly global perspective. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity to share knowledge and serve as a cultural ambassador through Fulbright.
https://www.cies.org/program/fulbright-us-scholar-program
Program: Fellowship
Agency: Fulbright
Next Deadline: November 1st, 2019
The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) Program assists U.S. higher education institutions in expanding programs of academic exchange, by supporting non-U.S. scholars through grants for teaching at institutions that might not have a strong international component and/or serve minority audiences. Both the U.S. institution and the scholar grantee benefit from this experience.
https://www.cies.org/program/fulbright-scholar-residence-program