As the month of December, and subsequently early January, are quickly approaching, please mark your calendars for these upcoming important dates:
Friday, December 8, 2006 - Last day of fall 2006 classes. Also, as of close of business, late fees will be charged to continuing students who remain un-registered for at least one credit hour (a $40 administrative fee and a $30 late payment fee). If you are not returning to UB this spring, be sure that you consult with an academic advisor to file the appropriate paperwork to let the University know of your change in status.
Monday, December 11-Monday, December 18, 2006 - Final Exams week. Be sure that you log on to MyUB to view your final exam schedule and consult with your instructors for any updated information regarding your exams.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - Winter Recess Begins. Make note that Spring 2007 classes begin on Tuesday, January 16, 2007.
Monday, December 25, 2006 - Christmas holiday. UB is closed. BIRD and on-line services not available.
Monday, January 1, 2007 - New Year’s Day. UB is closed. BIRD and on-line services not available.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - Fall 2006 grades available on UB transcripts.
Learn more about other student calendar listings of important academic, financial, and billing date information.
Posted November 28, 2006 in General
As final exam week is quickly approaching, the Student Response Center has issued the following notice to students regarding final exam conflicts:
If you observe that you are scheduled for two exams during the same examination period or you have three exams scheduled on one day, then you have an “exam conflict.”
Contact the instructors of the courses and explain the conflict in exams. Usually, one instructor will be able to schedule an alternate time for you to take his/her exam. If you are unable to arrange the re-scheduling of your examination with faculty, then contact the appropriate Dean’s Office for assistance.
If your final exam is assigned to more than one classroom, contact the instructor during the last week of classes to determine to which room you are to report for the exam.
Be sure you register for UB’s Methods of Inquiry (GSE 155) course this spring. GSE 155 is an excellent class about how to approach learning and thinking. There are still several sections of GSE 155 open, so don’t miss this opportunity to take an extremely informative class that will help you approach your studies and improve your grades!
As final exams are approaching, the Methods of Inquiry course asserts that successful students recommend 3 study techniques when preparing for exams. Remember to begin your test preparation early and be sure to utilize these successful techniques and tips.
1) Generate Questions – Turn information that you have to learn from lecture notes, readings, supplementary assignments, and previous tests and quizzes into questions that you need to answer. If you can’t generate questions, you most likely don’t understand the material.
2) Concept Mapping – Take the information that you need to learn and put it into a picture format instead of simply reading the material. You want to be able to SEE the whole picture, how it all fits together, and not see things as random.
3) Create Mock Exams – You need to predict the questions the teacher is trying to ask you. You therefore want to use test preparation that will allow you to practice the kind of questions that you will see on the test.
Ideas for creating mock exams:
• Find out the kind of exam that you are going to be asked to take. Is it essay, multiple choice, etc.? You want to prepare in the same format and with the same length that you will receive for the test.
• Generate and predict test questions. Use the questions from your notes and text.
• Practice the test. Time yourself. Make the conditions the same as what you will be given the day of your exam. If you experience test anxiety, try to put yourself in the same room where you will take the test and practice it.
• Make sure you have an answer key for the test. Make a separate answer key to practice. Find out what you don’t know. Look up answers in your notes and texts.
• Go to the professor with SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. For example, be able to say “I understand this section, but this other section is where I am confused” or “this is an example of where I am stuck.” Ask your TA questions.
• Study with friends, especially with a friend who loves the class. You can also make mock exams and exchange them with other students for repetition and review.
• Review your mock exams daily and multiple days before your tests. Repetition helps memory and reduces anxiety.
• Use previous exams and use passed tests as tools for future tests. Why did you make mistakes?
• See your professor if you do poorly on a test.
Source: Ahuna, Kelly H. and Tinnesz, Christine G. (2003). Methods of Inquiry: Applied Critical Thinking. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Last Day to Add Courses without Financial Penalty – If you plan to continue to take classes in the spring 2007 semester, remember that you will need to register for at least one spring course by Friday, December 8, 2006 in order to avoid a $70 late penalty. If you have questions regarding the late penalty, contact the Student Response Center.
Force Registration – If a spring class is closed, you may be able to “force register” into a section by going directly to the department that offers that course. Locations of departments can be found by visiting the Undergraduate Catalog. Please note that not all departments “force register” students. Furthermore, some departments may only offer a waiting list if a course is closed, while other departments may not “force register” nor offer a waiting list for closed courses.
Override – An override is the permission to enroll beyond the maximum hours that can be carried in a semester. For a fall or spring semester, an override would allow a student to register for more than 19 credits hours. To be granted an override, a student must speak with an academic advisor to determine if he/she is eligible. If you have an approved major, you will need to speak with your department for approval.
An override for the spring 2007 semester cannot be granted by an advisor until Thursday, November 16, 2006. Additionally, an override for a first semester student would not be considered until final grades are posted after a student’s first semester at UB.
Make an Appointment - If you haven’t already, remember that NOW is the time to be meeting with an academic advisor to help you select courses for the spring 2007 semester and to assist you with any other academic strategies for success. If you are undecided about a major, remember to schedule your appointment with Student Advising Services. If you have an intended or approved major, consult the Advising Directory for your appropriate advising unit.
Posted November 15, 2006 in General
If you are taking BIO 201 this spring, then be sure you read the following . . .
If you have enrolled in Section A or Section B, these are the standard BIO 201 sections.
Section C of BIO 201 is an Honors section. What this means is that the course is more rigorous, but is a smaller class size. View the course syllabus on-line now through the Electronic Class Schedule to learn more.
Section D is only the Lecture of BIO 201, but there is no Lab! It is a distance-learning (online) course with a small required in-class component. Students may only take this course if they have previously taken one of the Biology Department’s other BIO201 sections, attended all the labs, and received a letter grade in BIO201. BIO 201D is run by Dr. Hennessey, and you will need to contact him after Nov. 17 to be force-registered into the course. In BIO201D, students will listen online to Dr. Hennessey’s recorded BIO201B lectures and follow along on the PowerPoints, which are posted online. Once a week (Wednesdays at 5), students must attend a class for help, quizzes, and exams. BIO201D can be for students who are taking BIO200-201 simply for the UB Natural Sciences General Education Requirement. Section D, however, is NOT for students who are intended pre-health! Professional health schools will want students to have Lab with BIO201 and you will not be able to take the Lab by itself at a later date. Please pass this information along to your friends!
For more information about each section of BIO201 visit the Electronic Class Schedule and for more information about Pre-Health requirements visit the Pre-Health web site at www.prehealth.buffalo.edu.
Posted November 15, 2006 in General
If you are not returning to UB this spring semester, be sure that you consult with an academic advisor to file the appropriate paperwork to let the University know of your change in status. If you are undecided about a major, remember to consult with Student Advising Services. If you have an intended or approved major, utilize the Advising Directory for your appropriate advising unit.
Upon consulting with an advisor, he/she will check to see if you qualify for an Undergraduate Leave of Absence.
If you are not eligible to file a Leave of Absence with the University, then you will be instructed to fill out the Not Returning to UB Form.
All students who will not be returning in the spring semester must also consult the When You’re Not Returning to UB Checklist, which provides a list of critical information you must check into in order to ensure that you have not left anything unattended before you leave.
Mark your calendars for January 3-12, 2007 and Road Trips to the Real World! Join us for these exciting employer site visits, where you can LEARN ABOUT CAREERS, make contacts for INTERNSHIPS and JOBS, improve your NETWORKING skills, and meet other college students from across the Northeast!
ALL MAJORS AND CLASS YEARS WELCOME to explore careers in:
Advertising * Fashion Merchandising/Retail * Finance * Entertainment/Media * Information Technology * Insurance * Intelligence * International Affairs * Law Enforcement * Nonprofit Administration * Public Relations * Publishing
SITES INCLUDE:
• Bloomberg (New York, NY)
• Collette Vacations (Pawtucket, RI)
• Department of State (Washington, DC)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (Buffalo, NY)
• The Fresh Air Fund (New York, NY)
• Investor’s Bank and Trust (Boston, MA)
• Liberty Mutual Group (Boston, MA)
• Makovsky & Co (New York, NY)
• McCann Erickson (New York, NY)
• MEDITECH (Westwood, MA)
• The Morning Call Newspaper (Allentown, PA)
• Museum of Science (Boston, MA)
• National Security Agency (Ft. Meade, MD)
• NBC Universal (New York, NY)
• New England Aquarium (Boston, MA)
• Pearson Education (Upper Saddle River, NJ)
• Rodale, Inc. (Emmaus, PA)
• The TJX Companies (Framingham, MA)
• Vanguard (Valley Forge, PA)
REGISTRATION starts November 14 (Tue.) at 10 am. Limited spots are available, so register early at http://www.eace.org/networks/liberalarts.html.
COST is free! You are responsible for your own transportation.
QUESTIONS? Contact Career Services at 645-2231.
ROAD TRIPS to the REAL WORLD is brought to you by the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers, Liberal Arts Network.
Mark your calendars! The LAST day to resign a course(s) for the fall semester is by Friday, November 10, 2006 (by 11 pm using MyUB or BIRD at 645-7800).
If you are considering resigning from a course be sure that you have:
• talked with your instructor to discuss if you can obtain any additional help
• spoken with an academic advisor to discuss strategies to improve your performance as well as to learn the consequences of course resignation, including how changes to your course load could impact your sequence of required courses or your time to graduation
• talked with a financial aid advisor to learn how changes in your course load may impact financial aid
• learned how changes to your course load may impact your medical insurance eligibility
If you are contemplating resigning a course you need to act now! Talk with your instructors, see your advisor, and use the following student services at UB to assist you:
Mid-Semester Review
Academic Departments
College of Arts and Sciences
Counseling Services
The Learning Center
Blake Academic Success Center
Student Advising Services’ Student Success Workshops Program
STAR: Student Techniques for Academic Recovery
Posted November 3, 2006 in General
Remember to check when your Spring 2007 Registration Window opens and you are eligible to register for spring classes. Note: Your registration window is determined by the number of credit hours you have COMPLETED prior to your currently enrolled semester.
Be sure to also log on to MyUB and verify that you do not have a checkstop on your account, which will prevent you from being able to register for spring semester classes.
If you haven’t already, meet with your academic advisor to plan your spring semester schedule and be sure to view the Spring 2007 Electronic Class Schedule for open course options.
Do you know how to register? Be familiar with registering using MyUB and the BIRD touch-tone telephone system and remember to stay informed of all critical information regarding Spring 2007 Registration.
UB students from all class years and majors are welcome to attend Real Life 101, an informative and fun event to meet successful alumni, to learn tips to transition in life after graduation, and to explore career options. All WORKSHOPS & SPEED NETWORKING ARE FREE AND NO PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For questions, students can call Career Services at 645-2231 or email jobs@buffalo.edu.
Real Life 101: Come and hear perspectives of UB alumni and professionals in the real world!
Monday, 11/6/06
GRAD SCHOOL vs. THE JOB MARKET - 4:00-5:30pm, SU 145A
Perhaps you know you want to go to graduate school at some point, but you’re not sure which program to choose. Or you’re confused about whether to apply for enrollment immediately after graduation, or take a few years off to work first. Join us as a diverse panel of UB alumni discusses their experiences with graduate school, and learn what grad school can and can’t do for you.
“SPEED NETWORKING” with UB ALUMNI - 5:30-7:00pm, SU Lobby
We all know networking is important - it’s how most people get jobs and internships! However, many students are unsure of how networking is really done. At this event, you’ll have a chance to practice this valuable skill while sharing light hors-d’oeuvres with successful UB graduates in a variety of professions. Don’t be shy; we’ll help you make the most of this event! All majors and class years are welcome.
Tuesday, 11/7/06
RESUME & COVER LETTER WRITING - 4:00-5:00pm, SU 145A
Put away that resume template! In this session you’ll learn from a UB alum and a Career Services counselor about what sells, what doesn’t, and how you can create documents that will impress employers and land you interviews.
FINDING A JOB (or INTERNSHIP!) - 5:00-6:15pm, SU 145C
If you think that posting your resume on Monster.com will get you the job or internship you want — think again. Don’t be that student who ends up moving back home with no job after graduation! In this interactive session, you’ll learn the essential information that EVERY student needs to know in order to conduct a successful job search.
Wednesday, 11/8/06
INTERVIEWING LIKE A PRO - 4:00-5:00pm, SU 145A
Who ultimately “gets the job” (or internship)? Usually, it’s the candidate who interviews the best. At this workshop, a UB alum and a Career Services counselor will show you how to prepare for and ace those interviews.
IS YOUR IDENTITY FOR SALE? - 5:00-6:30pm, SU 145A
How do identity thieves get your information and what do they do with it? A UB alum based at the Buffalo branch of the FBI will lead a candid discussion on one of the fastest growing crimes in the US, as well as steps you can take to minimize your risk.
Thursday, 11/9/06
PERSONAL FINANCE: How Money Works - 5:00-6:30pm, SU 145C
Making it in “real life” means you have to take control of your finances. At this session, a panel of alumni working in the financial industry will teach you all you need to know to compare job offers, manage your money/debt, and live a comfortable (and fiscally responsible) lifestyle. Don’t learn all this the hard way like many other graduates do!
ETIQUETTE DINNER - 5:30-7:30pm, Pistachio’s (SU)
Which fork, knife, glass to use at a business dinner? Don’t embarrass yourself and lose a chance at getting the job offer. Attend this informative program where you’ll learn the correct way to handle yourself and the silverware too! Are you worried about how to dress? Proper business attire will also be shown and discussed! REGISTRATION REQUIRED in person in 259 Capen. There is a $12.00 fee associated with this event. You may use dining dollars/campus cash to pay for this event. Cash and credit may also be used. Registrations will be accepted until Monday, November 6th. Don’t miss out on this fun and educational experience!
Real Life 101 is sponsored by Career Services and the UB Alumni Association.
