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Adjust and Explore
Adapted with permission from Beloit College's Advising Manual
This year is
often filled with more transitions than the student thought would
happen. Many may talk about homesickness and not fitting in at
Monmouth College; remind them that this is often the case for
students during their first year at any institution.
Guiding
Principles
- Exploration –
themselves, others, activities, classes, Monmouth College, the
world.
- Finding
their passions both in and out of the classroom.
- Finding
their niche at Monmouth College.
- Keeping
their options open as long as possible.
Discussion
Points: Academic
- Do you
like your other classes? Why?
- How is
studying going? How long do you spend studying each day? At
the weekend?
- How are
doing in your classes? Have you had any grades? What are
they? How do you feel about them?
- What can
you do to improve your grades? (if grades are poor)
- Have you
been thinking about what you would like to major in?
- Have you
filled out a
Study Schedule? Are you keeping your
Study Schedule?
- What is
the mission of the college?
- How does
your first year's general education courses fit with the mission
of the college?
Discussion
Points: Personal and Social
- How are
you adjusting to Monmouth College? The city? The United States?
- How do you
like your roommate? RA? Floor mates?
- Have you
been able to find all the things you need at Monmouth?
- Do you
read The Courier?
- Are you
checking your student email account for messages?
- Are you
working at Monmouth College through work-study or otherwise? If
so, where?
- Are you
enjoying Monmouth College?
- Are you
getting involved with any extracurricular activities? What are
they? Do you know how to?
- Are you
making friends?
Discussion
Points: The Future
- Have you
thought about what you would like to accomplish during your four
years here?
- Do you
know about internships and scholarships?
- Have you
filled out your Goal Sheet?
Advice
to give to the First Year Advisee:
- Get
involved in one or two activities, but don’t over-commit
yourself.
- Realize
that making friends takes time, effort and being together.
- Get off
campus sometimes, but not all of every weekend.
- Attend the
many campus discussions, readings and other academic pursuits.
- Attend the
International Symposium (fall) and Student Symposium (spring) to
learn what Monmouth students are involved in and what
opportunities exist for you.
- Attend
plays, concerts and other forms of entertainment on campus to
widen your horizons.
- Identify
personal interests, skills and values by visiting Wackerle
Center to complete interest inventories.
- Take care
of your health – regular sleep, eating, exercise, etc.
- Visit
the Wackerle Center to check out your time management and study
skills; most students could improve these. Learn what other
services they offer.
- Visit
the other support offices on campus to discuss how they can help
you, e.g. the writing tutors, the MLC, ******; use their
services.
- Make the
time and effort to get to know one of your faculty well each
semester by talking to him/her after class and visiting during
office hours.
- Take a
variety of courses to broaden your horizons before deciding on a
major.
- Read
course descriptions in the catalog and take courses that
interest you.
- Check
catalog and Monmouth web site for department requirements.
- Check with
your advisor, faculty from the department and the catalog for
majors with sequential courses that should be started in the
first year.
- Establish
a strong grade point average from the beginning to keep options
open for majors, future study plans, and scholarships.
- Attend the
Major Fair to find more information on departments that you are
interested in possibly pursuing.
- During
pre-registration in the spring, consult faculty from your
possible majors about what courses you should take.
-
Think
about possible overseas programs, and consider their language
requirements.
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