Every semester we as students try our very best to reach the highest GPA we can get. However, have you ever wondered how important your college GPA really is? Take a look at the attached link to an article that highlights things to keep in mind when you’re studying and working hard for your grades, How Important is Your College GPA?
Source of article: Further Your Education.com
Caitlin is one of two Peer Assistants in the office of Student Advising Services who wants to help you! Her advice to fellow UB students on the ABC’s of Spring Semester are:
A is for Agenda
Make sure you are looking over your syllabi and are jotting down all important dates including exams, due dates, class cancellations, etc. Also, know important UB deadlines and cancellations by printing out student calendars that can be found on the Student Response Center web page.
B is for Bills
Did you pay your tuition yet? The first bill was due January 8th! You can view your account balance on MyUB under Finances. Make sure you stay on top of your other bills, too!
CURCA stands for Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. Check them out and get involved in research and other projects on campus this semester!
D is for Decisions
Have you decided on a major or career path? This is the semester to explore your interests and figure out what you really want to study! See your advisor if you need some help with major decisions.
E is for Email
Check your UB email account on a regular basis as important information from professors, students, advisors and organizations on campus will use this account. Also, many professors and staff at UB prefer you to use your UB account when contacting them.
F is for Facebook
Make sure your facebook profile is a good representation of yourself. Professors, employers, and other students have access to your pages and you want to make a good impression. According to a survey by CareerBuilder.com, 63% of hiring managers did not hire someone because of the information they found online!
G is for GPA
As Vanessa has said before, everybody starts the semester with an A in each class. Maintain that A by going to every class, taking good notes, studying well in advance, asking the teacher questions and seeking tutoring if you need more assistance.
H is for Health
Stay healthy! Keep warm in this cold Buffalo weather, be sure to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise at lease 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes and be sure to get enough sleep! Stop by the Wellness Center for more tips on how to stay healthy this spring.
I is for Internships
There is still time to land an internship for this semester, and it’s not too early to begin looking for the summer and next fall. Visit Career Services for help with internships and jobs.
J is for Joining a Club
UB has over 100 SA Clubs on campus and there is something for everybody. Find something that fits your interests.
K is for kindness
Be nice to people on campus – hold the door for the person behind you, wait for someone to cross the street when you’re driving around campus looking for a parking spot, let someone have your seat on the stampede, or simply smile at people coming your way.
L is for Library Skills Workbook
Have you completed your Library Skills Workbook yet? You need this to graduate, so if you are a senior and graduating in May, make sure you do this soon!
M is for MyPage
Customize your MyPage so it suits your personal needs as a student! There are online tutorials to help you do this.
N is for New Year
When you’re signing your name and date on a paper, don’t forget it’s 2008!
O is for Overload
Don’t overload yourself with too many credit hours or take on too many responsibilities. A good rule of thumb is to stay around 15 credit hours and if you are working part-time, try to keep it around 10 hours a week.
P is for Procrastination
Stop putting things off! Use post-its and make lists of things you have to do today, things that should be done sometime during the week, and any other lists that will help you to not procrastinate.
Q is for Quitting
It’s a new year and it’s time to make a resolution – or two. Kick those bad habits and start this semester off on the right foot.
R is for Resume
Build your resume this semester by improving your GPA, getting involved in research, an internship, an SA club, or volunteering!
S is for Sleep
Make sure you are catching enough zzz’s every night! You’ll laugh, but you should shoot for 7-8 hours every night.
T is for Time
It’s not always easy managing a billion things at once, but it is easy to waste time. Make sure you are aware of your priorities and responsibilities before spending hours using the new application on facebook or trying to master your roommate’s guitar hero!
U is for Undergraduate Catalog
Use the online version of the undergraduate catalog to look up course descriptions, the various academic programs, policies and procedures at UB, and more!
V is for Volunteering
Give a little bit of yourself this semester! You’ll enjoy doing it, and it looks good on a resume. Check out some great opportunities and learn more about how you can volunteer at United Way.
W is for Workshops
Attend Life and Learning Workshops! There are so many workshops in a wide array of topics – check one out this semester.
X is for XLII
Whether you’re in it for the football or commercials, don’t forget to get together with some friends to watch the Superbowl XLII on February 3rd!
Y is for Yourself
With all your responsibilities and obligations during the semester it can be hard to find some time for yourself, but make sure you are still enjoying some “me time”!
Z is for Zoo
Visit the Buffalo Zoo this semester! Go check out the new Amur tigers that were born last fall - I hear they are becoming quite playful!
READY @ UB (Researching, Exploring and Developing Yourself) is a program sponsored and supported by Student Advising Services, housed at the University at Buffalo. I am a graduate assistant advisor at the center and am working closely with our peer assistant, Caitlin, to lead this group.
We are offering UB undergraduate students with a unique experience to engage in conversations with other UB students who are undecided or confused about majors, thinking about changing majors, or have any other questions or concerns regarding majors and careers. This is not a lecture-based program. Our belief is that students will benefit from a discussion-based group where you talk about your own experiences to learn from each other, and you can realize that being unsure or confused is completely normal and very common among students. Ultimately, we will provide a relaxed environment (with FREE FOOD and PRIZES) where you can come and feel comfortable while discussing majors and careers!
We are not afraid of going off on tangents, but we do have some topics of discussion we thought you might be interested in. Here are some ideas:
READY @ UB begins Wednesday, February 6th from 12pm – 1pm in 210 Student Union. We will meet every Wednesday through April 20th (except March 12th). Each week we will be bouncing between 2 rooms in the Student Union, so please take a look at the schedule below so you are aware of which room we will be in each week:
February 6- 210 SU
February 13- 210 SU
February 20- 145B SU
February 27- 210 SU
March 5- 210 SU
March 26- 145B SU
April 2- 210 SU
April 9- 145B SU
April 16- 145B SU
April 23- 210 SU
April 20- 210 SU
Join READY @ UB! Signing-up is easy and there are a few ways to do so:
#1 Join our group on FACEBOOK: READY @ UB
#2 Fill out a registration form in 109 Norton Hall (Student Advising Services)
#3 Email us at sas-peer@buffalo.edu (include your full name and email address)
We look forward to seeing you at our first meeting on Wednesday, February 6th from 12pm – 1pm in 210 Student Union! Lunch is on us: pizza, drinks and baked goods! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at: sas-peer@buffalo.edu.
Jillian Reading, Graduate Assistant, Student Advising Services
Taking summer courses can be an excellent strategy to help students get back on track academically or to help them move ahead.
Browse the UB Summer 2008 Class Schedule and plan ahead for your summer courses!
And if you plan to attend another school this summer, then be sure you consult with an academic advisor first and utilize TAURUS, UB’s transfer and articulation web site.
Student Advising Services is offering several important Student Success Workshops early this spring semester. Be sure that you take advantage of these important workshops which are given to help you!
*TIME MANAGEMENT - Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 1-2 pm - Room Norton 111
Understand important academic tools and resources that will help you develop and manage your academic plan.
*STUDY SKILLS - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 1-2 pm - Room Norton 111
Learn helpful study techniques and strategies in the areas of reading, note-taking, preparing for tests, and retention of material.
* FINANCIAL “CENTS” FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS - Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 3:30-4:30 pm, Room 145A Student Union
Based on the NY Times best-selling book The Millionaire Next Door, the presenter’s own experiences, and articles written by financial planners, this workshop will provide you with information about managing money, and may challenge the notions you have about those perceived as having wealth. Learn about everything from interest rates, to credit reports, to buying a car. Discover how simple strategies you employ NOW can help you reach your future goals.
***And if you are looking to attend other workshops this spring semester, then be sure and consult the complete list of Student Success Workshops offered through Student Advising Services as well as the Life and Learning Workshops program for more information.
The office of New Student Programs is looking for students to work with new freshmen and transfers this summer.
If you are motivated and excited about UB and would enjoy welcoming new students and their families to the UB community, then don’t miss this opportunity! Learn how you can play an integral role by serving as a mentor and sharing your personal experiences as a successful student.
For more details about this PAID opportunity and for application guidelines and deadlines, please contact New Student Programs.
For those of you who are new to UB and as a reminder to those of you who are returning, welcome to UB and the Be Advised weblog! Important academic information critical to students’ success will be posted year round so be sure that you visit us frequently and that you stay informed.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding the Be Advised weblog, feel free to contact Student Advising Services at sas-advisor@buffalo.edu.
Also, if you have questions for fellow UB undergraduate students, then don’t miss this opportunity to talk with two Peer Assistants in Student Advising Services named Caitlin and Vanessa who want to help you! They are happy to share their experiences with you and offer support and information to help you succeed in the classroom and beyond! E-mail the Peer Assistants your questions at sas-peer@buffalo.edu or visit them in 109 Norton Hall.
UB’s Department of Romance Languages and Literatures is offering proficiency exams in Spanish and French this spring. These exams are NOT placement exams. They are intended for students with 3 or more years of high school Spanish or French and they test a student’s elementary and intermediate level proficiency. If students pass the Spanish or French exam, they are exempt from UB’s Foreign Language General Education Requirement.
Friday, January 25, 2008 - 4:45 - 6:50 PM, Room 14 Knox Hall
Friday, February 15, 2008 - 4:45 – 6:50 PM, Room 14 Knox Hall
* Please note there is NO March test.
For more information on these tests and to register contact Romance Languages and Literatures.
*Monday, January 14, 2008 - Spring 2008 classes begin. (The last day for “new” students to register for Spring 2008 classes without a $40 administrative fee is by Sunday, January 13, 2008.)
*Friday, January 18, 2008 - Last day to drop Spring 2008 courses without financial liability.
*Monday, January 21, 2008 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. UB is closed.
*Friday, January 25, 2008 - Last day to drop/add Spring 2008 courses without a grade of “R” (resign). And Undergraduate S/U grading and audit deadline.
*Monday, January 28, 2008 -Tentative date UB Summer 2008 class schedule will be available on the web.
*Friday, February 22, 2008 - Tentative date UB Fall 2008 class schedule will be available on the web.
*Monday, March 10, 2008 - Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Spring Recess.
*Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - UB summer registration begins.
*Friday, March 28, 2008 - Last day (by 11 pm) for ALL UB students to resign a Spring 2008 semester course(s) with a grade of “R”. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with both an academic and financial advisor prior to resigning from a course(s) to learn about any academic or financial implications.
*Monday, April 28, 2008 - Last day of Spring 2008 classes.
*Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Final Exams Week.
**LEARN MORE about other student calendar listings of important academic, financial, and billing date information. Also, for a list of academic and other workshops offered this spring semester, be sure and consult the Life and Learning Workshops program.
To help you succeed as the spring semester begins, be sure that you review these important tips for success!
Do you need to make adjustments to your spring semester schedule based upon your fall semester grades?
If you were surprised by grades that you received in the fall semester, be sure that you make any necessary adjustments to your spring semester schedule. A good rule of thumb is if you received a grade of C- or lower particularly in sequential courses such as chemistry 101 or calculus I, chances are you will NOT be ready to successfully continue on with the second course in the sequence. Contact an academic advisor immediately for assistance with your spring semester planning.
Have you sent all of your AP credits, alternative credits, and any college transfer coursework to UB?
To Send AP Credit - http://src.buffalo.edu/procedures/ap.shtml
To Send Other Alternative Credits - http://tas.buffalo.edu/altexam/scorereports.shtml
To Send College Transfer Coursework - http://taurus.buffalo.edu/caspages/transcripts.shtml
Are you comfortable with your amount of registered credit hours?
On average, students complete 15 credits a semester. To be considered a full-time student, students need to be registered for at least 12 credits a semester. A full-time student needs to complete a minimum of 24 UB credit hours an academic year, but ideally 30 UB credit hours an academic year.
If you plan to work, organize your job to work for you!
It is recommended that students limit themselves to no more than 15 hours of work per week as a full-time student in order to ensure that needed time is not being taken away from studying.
Remember to ALWAYS print out an updated copy of your class schedule.
If you make any changes to your spring semester schedule, always check that such changes have been recorded correctly and an updated and current copy of your schedule has been printed from MyUB. When visiting MyUB, remember to click on the “Web Registration” link and the “View Schedule” button to view a real time schedule of your course changes.
Go to class!
Do not underestimate the importance of attending class. The first day of class particularly is the most important time for students to receive the syllabus, learn about the course content, meet their instructors, and learn if they have the necessary preparation essential to be successful in the course.
Plan appropriate travel time.
Plan at least 1 hour of travel time between a North and South campus class. If you have a class in the Ellicott Complex followed by a class on the North Campus spine, you need to plan at least 30 minutes of travel time.
Check your UB e-mail regularly.
All students are urged to check their UB e-mail accounts often. Important academic and financial communications as well as other details that affect students’ statuses are communicated year-round. Be sure that you check your UB e-mail once a day or at least several times a week so that you stay informed throughout the semester.
Be sure you know these important UB resources as classes begin.
Computing and Information Technology (CIT) Help Desk
Spring 2008 Registration Information
Transfer Articulation and University Requirements at UB System (Taurus)
