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Charting Your Progress in Your First Year at UB

Beginning in your first term at UB you should learn how to monitor your progress and plan for the future by...

Performing a reality check

In every term you should carefully consult your course syllabi to understand how your professors will evaluate your work. If you need to make changes or obtain help it is important to act before critical deadline dates. To make this easier in your first term take advantage of:

• Mid-semester grade evaluation Mid-way through your first term the university asks your professors to provide mid-semester evaluations to see how you are doing in your courses. This gives us a chance to monitor your progress and assist you with any adjustment issues or concerns before the term is complete. Expect to receive a mid-semester grade towards the end of October (for the fall term) or mid-March (for the spring term). You will find your mid-semseter grade in your HUB Student Center.
• You should be aware that a review of your academic performance is completed at the end of each term when the grades are received. Students not making sufficient academic progress may receive notice of academic warning, probation, or dismissal. Be familiar with UB’s Academic Standards Policy.

Begin to formulate an academic plan by researching academic options, majors and careers.

Research options by:

• Visiting academic departments that may be of interest to you if you are unsure about your choice of major or if you may be interested in pursuing more than one major. Talk to an advisor. View the Advising Directory.
• Attend the Majors and Careers Fair held each fall term and participate in a “Choosing a Major” workshop.
• Think about how to maximize your undergraduate education.

You should enhance your planning skills by learning to use the academic progress planning tools available to you.

• Become familiar with the concept of academic planning and identify items to consider in your first year.
• Become familiar with accessing and reviewing your Academic Advising Report available in your HUB Student Center via MyUB. The Academic Advising Report will help you to monitor the requirements for your degree and to understand which requirements have been met.
• After reviewing your degree requirements, review the planning worksheet (PDF). Using this tool you can begin to fill in the courses you might take to fulfill General Education, pre-requisite and major course requirements each term. You should bring this completed planning grid and your Academic Advising Report when you meet with your advisor.

Prepare to register for your next term

• Schedule an appointment to meet with your academic advisor no later than October/early November (if this fall will be your first term at UB) and mid March (if you began at UB in a spring term) to discuss your academic and career goals, progress in your courses this term, and to develop a desired course schedule for the upcoming term. Some programs require that you see your advisor and will expect to see you even earlier in the term. In the future, you should meet with your advisor any time you have concerns about your major and progress.
• Follow all important enrollment dates and deadlines from the Office of the Registrar's Enrollment Appointments and Academic and Student Calendars websites. New freshmen should plan to register for the next term in November (fall entry) and April (spring entry).
• The HUB Student Center - Enroll in Classes tutorial will show you how to register for courses when the time comes.

Remember that to be successful at UB your number one commitment must be to meet your academic responsibilities. We recommend that you:

• Visit your professors during their office hours.
• Attend one of the Life & Learning Workshops to improve your skills such as time management, study skills and test-taking.
• Check your UB-email and MyUB page AT LEAST twice a week!
• Meet with your academic advisor.