While the Spring 2008 semester begins on Monday, January 14, 2008, Academic Advisors in Student Advising Services (SAS) will be available throughout the Winter Break to assist you.
The EXCEPTION will be Monday, December 24, 2007 – Tuesday, January 1, 2008, when our office will be CLOSED for the holidays, but SAS will RE-OPEN again on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 8:30 am. Mark your calendars and be sure to contact us with any questions throughout the Winter Break!
Remember to use the Winter Break for more than just a vacation. Plan to do new and interesting things, such as gaining experience by shadowing or volunteering or giving back to your community.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE VALUABLE RESOURCES OVER THE WINTER BREAK
Career Services - Utilize UB’s Career Services to gain valuable information regarding exploring careers, jobs, internships and so much more! If you are in the New York City metro area, don’t miss Career Conversations in NYC! Or check out Road Trips to the Real World throughout the Northeast!
Community Engagement Opportunities - Get involved with direct service experience in the greater Buffalo community or at home. Be sure you learn more about Community Engagement Opportunities through UB’s Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement!
Plan to Take Courses at Another School? - Be sure that you consult with an Academic Advisor and utilize TAURUS, UB’s Transfer and Articulation System, to help you find articulated courses that may help you to get ahead.
Stay Informed and Check Your UB E-mail Often! - Students are urged to check their UB e-mail accounts regularly, including throughout the winter months. Important academic and financial communications, Be Advised web log updates, and other details that affect students’ statuses are communicated year-round.
Mark Your Calendars and Plan Ahead! - Be sure that you know all UB Student Calendar listings of important academic, financial, and billing date information to help you plan for the months of December, January and beyond.
What Would One of Your Peer Assistants Recommended? - Caitlin writes: Many of you will go back home and either go back to a job you had in high school or perhaps you’ll apply for a holiday position at the many places that are hiring. If you think your part-time job has no relation to a career you might have in the future, think again. Many valuable skills can be acquired through part-time jobs, no matter what the job is! Throughout your career you’ll always be dealing with co-workers and learning ways to get along with your bosses. Teamwork, effective communication, problem-solving, taking initiative, and leadership are all top skills that employers are looking for these days. So, whether you’re flipping burgers at the local drive-thru or filing paperwork at an office, start thinking about what skills you are acquiring and how developing these skills will help you in your future career – whatever it may be!
If you’ve looked at a calendar lately, you will realize that Winter Break is pretty long! Many students go home and after a week or so start getting a little antsy and realize they still have 3 more weeks left before they come back to school. Why not use this time to volunteer? These days, volunteer work is almost an essential to landing good internships and jobs in the future. Employers look for someone who has got involved in their community. Around these holidays, there are many opportunities to lend a hand. For tips on volunteering and getting involved in your community check out the United Way at volunteer.unitedway.org/index.cfm.
We hope you all have a safe and happy Winter Break!
Have questions? Contact an academic advisor or one of Student Advising Services’ Peer Assistants for assistance at sas-peer@buffalo.edu!
Posted December 4, 2007 in General
If you are NOT returning to UB this Spring 2008 semester, be sure that you talk with an academic advisor to file the appropriate paperwork and let the University know of your change in status. If you are undecided about a major, remember to consult with an academic advisor from 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 to UB in the spring semester must also consult the When You’re Not Returning to UB Checklist, which provides a critical list of information you need to review before you leave.
Have questions? Be sure you talk with an academic advisor for assistance!
UB’s Methods of Inquiry program provides excellent information on how to help students approach learning, predict exam questions, enhance understanding, and improve their grades.
Do you want to take the Methods of Inquiry (GSE 155) class this spring? There are still several sections open. Don’t miss this opportunity to take an excellent class that’s all about thinking and learning!!!
The following are 15 GENERAL TEST-TAKING SUGGESTIONS recommended by the Methods of Inquiry program to help you prepare for your FALL FINAL EXAMS:
• Avoid rushing. Get to the test early.
• Pick a good spot to sit and recite notes calmly. The best spot is usually your normal seat, which is hopefully close to the front, and away from distractions.
• Get rid of undue anxiety using relaxation techniques, positive self-talk, and focusing only on the task at hand.
• Wait for oral instructions. Do NOT begin the test as soon as you receive it. You may miss vital information or clues if you do not listen to instructions.
• Jot down memory clues before you begin. If there are dates, names or other items you are afraid you may forget, jot these down on the back of the test. This may relieve some stress immediately.
• Skim the entire exam, reading directions carefully. As you quickly look over the test, look for:
1) Point Allotment - Spending the most time on items worth the most points.
2) Type of Questions - Which will take more time for you? What order would be best to answer the questions?
3) Clues - Test questions often may have clues farther on in the test or you may even find the answer.
• Ask specific questions, if needed, after the instructor has had time to explain AND you have had time to skim the test.
• Do the easy questions first. This will help your confidence level and allow you to have the rest of the time to concentrate on the harder questions.
• Skip the harder ones and mark them so you will remember to come back to them after you have completed the easier ones and warmed up.
• Do all tests four times. You need to go through the following four steps to do your best:
1) Skim the test.
2) Do the easier questions while you mark and skip the harder ones.
3) Return to do the harder ones.
4) Look over the entire test to check that you have answered all questions.
• Change your answer if needed. Recent research seems to point that when an answer is changed, more often than not it is changed from a wrong answer to a right one. But you also need to analyze your pattern. If the answer was clearly just a guess, perhaps your first guess IS your best answer. But, if after second thought you feel the need to change the answer, do so.
• Budget your time. In addition to considering the point value of each question, make sure you allow enough time to complete the whole test with time to double-check.
• Never leave blanks! A guess is better than a miss.
• Write answers clearly.
• Make the test serve you after it’s over. Don’t purposefully try and put the test out of your mind. Talk about strategies with other students. Look up the questions you weren’t certain about. You will remember the answer much longer than any other questions if you do.
Source: Ahuna, Kelly H. and Tinnesz, Christine G. (2003). Methods of Inquiry: Applied Critical Thinking. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Posted December 4, 2007 in General
UB’s Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities, through the support of the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, is pleased to offer UB Undergraduate students the opportunity to apply for Undergraduate Research Awards!
For application procedures and instructions visit the CURCA web site at: http://curca.buffalo.edu/news/applications-now-being-accepted-for-curca-undergraduate-research-awards/.
Awards are for University at Buffalo undergraduate students who exhibit a need for funding to overcome barriers that obstruct their ability to perform meaningful research and/or creative activities during their undergraduate enrollment at the University. Award applications will be reviewed by a team of UB faculty and staff that will give consideration to completed applications that show a true need for award support to complete projects, pay for supplies, and attend conferences or other intrinsic needs that must be overcome to complete research or creative work.
Look into an Undergraduate Research Award today!
For more information, contact Tim Tryjanowski, Director, Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities, 645-7778 or tat@buffalo.edu.
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CAREER CONVERSATIONS in NYC
Live in the NYC metro area? Make the most of your winter break and network with UB alumni from a variety of career fields!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
6-8 pm
Union League Club of New York - 38 E 37th St., Manhattan, NYC
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Career Conversations is a FREE student alumni networking reception. The event is designed to link established UB alumni with current UB students and recent graduates who are interested in launching their careers in the metro New York area.
As opposed to a more formal, job-oriented career fair, the event facilitates informal discussions, networking, and career information gathering.
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A variety of career fields will be represented including:
* Accounting
* Architecture/Planning
* Athletics
* Consulting
* Engineering/Technology
* Event Planning
* Finance
* Government
* Higher Education
* Human Resources
* Journalism
* Law
* Marketing/Sales
* Public Relations
* Publishing
* Small Business Owners/Self-Employed and more!
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Registration is required to attend the event.
Visit www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu/careerconv for more information.
This event is sponsored by the UB Alumni Association and Career Services.
Questions? Contact Emily Kustreba, Career Services, 259 Capen Hall, 716.645.2232 x 104, kustreba@buffalo.edu.
Register to attend Road Trips to the Real World - January 3-11, 2008!
Students are asked to join in 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 & Class Years are Welcome to Explore Careers in:
State & Federal Government
Human Services & Healthcare
Broadcast Media - Journalism - Publishing Retail - Fashion Financial Services Sales . . . and more!
Visit Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE) website for more information at: http://www.eace.org/networks/liberalarts.html.
Sites that are still open include:
* Amica Mutual Insurance Company (Lincoln, RI)
* CIA (Langley, VA)
* Collette Vacations (Pawtucket, RI)
* FBI-Buffalo Division Headquarters (Buffalo, NY)
* Fulton County Medical Center (McConnellsburg, PA)
* Herald-Mail Company (Hagerstown, MD)
* Hoffman Homes (Littlestown, PA)
* Keystone Community Mental Health Services (Chambersburg, PA)
* Massachusetts State House, Legislative Education Office (Boston, MA)
* Medical Information Technology “MEDITECH” (Framingham, MA)
* New York State Senate (Albany, NY)
* Occupational Services (Chambersburg, PA)
* Rodale (Emmaus, PA)
* Target Stores (Multiple locations in the metro NYC area)
* The TJX Companies, Inc. (Framingham, MA)
* US Office of Personnel Management (Boyers, PA/North of Pittsburgh)
* Vanguard (Wayne, PA)
* WITF (Harrisburg, PA)
Registration is open now! Limited spots available, so register early at EACE’s website!
Cost is free! Students are responsible for their own transportation.
Questions? Contact Karen Nemeth of UB’s Career Services at nemeth@buffalo.edu or call (716) 645-2231.
Road Trips to the Real World is brought to you by the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers, Liberal Arts Network.
