Taking advantage of campus resources

So you’ve got a semester under your belt…think you could start leading daily campus tours? Well, maybe some of you could, but I am guessing for the majority of you there are still a lot of things on campus that you may not have experienced …yet. With the spring semester starting, it’s a good time to learn more of the ins and outs of your college so that you can really take advantage of everything that is offered.

Want to graduate on time? Then take a trip to your Academic Adviser. You can get help looking at class requirements for different majors, General Education class options, four year plans, questions about units, maximizing your class schedule, and checking on “what if” scenarios that could change your expected semester plans.

Internships, careers, and jobs, oh my! Your campus Career Services should become your best friend over the next few years. Most often, they can professionally critique your cover letters and resume, administer career tests to determine interest areas, help you seek out local internships, and then closer to graduation, help ensure that you are equipped to enter the competitive job-market.

Boost that GPA. What’s missing from your study plan? Is there a tutoring center on campus? What library resources are there to help you with your research paper? If you have special learning needs, you may be able to take advantage of individualized opportunities. Check in with your Academic Adviser – you won’t know the answers until you ask.

See the world! Many colleges have an entire department that is expressly dedicated to making sure you get international exposure and first-hand knowledge, so check out the different opportunities available. Your “study abroad” experience might come in the form of an entire semester, maybe even an entire year, living in a certain country, or it might be a faculty-sponsored two week research trip; the first step is to know and understand your options.

Reach out for support. There is absolutely no reason for you to go through anything alone. Of course your Coach is there to support you, but it is also important to know you can be supported by professionals in the fields of health and wellness or personal therapy. Look into the services that are available to students at your school, which can range from general health, personality-exploration workshops, one-on-one counseling, self-defense awareness and classes, motivational speakers, 24 hour hotlines, physical/mental health events, group therapy, the list could go on and on!

And don’t forget, before meeting with any of these departments, you’ll get even more out of it if you prepare beforehand with your Coach so that you can be sure to ask all the questions you have and get all the information you want.

Take pride – you chose your university for a lot of really good reasons, and by really taking advantage of everything they are offering, you can be assured that you are truly maximizing your investment.