Final R1 Exemption Test of the Semester

Do you still need to take the Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test?  The last one offered this semester is Monday, December 3 at 6:30pm in Marcus 131.

Bring a #2 pencil, ID, and calculator.

Passing the R1 exam (at least 12 out of 20 correct) will satisfy the R1 requirement for graduation but will not result in the awarding of any credits. There are, however, credit courses that will also satisfy the R1 requirement.

Last Call for Isenberg!

If you're planning on applying for a major within the Isenberg School of Management, the deadline is this Saturday at 5:00pm.

Read our earlier post for more information.

SATURDAY DEADLINE: Isenberg SOM applications for HTM, Sport Management, and BBA

If you're planning on applying to the BBA track (Accounting; Finance; Management; Marketing; Operations Management), Hospitality & Tourism Management or Sport Management majors, time is running out.

Applications are due by Saturday, December 1 at 5:00pm.

If you have questions about the process, make an appointment to meet with an advisor before Friday. Read the instructions and information on the Isenberg site before coming in.

BBA Track Application Information
HTM Application Information
Sport Management Application Information

If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the Spring to apply.

SEMINAR Options for Spring 2012

Taking a seminar is a good way to round out your schedule - both in terms of your credit load, and also to balance out large lecture classes. First-Year students and students new to UMass Amherst have some great options available:

UNIV 125 - OASIS (1 credit, Pass/Fail) is a seminar designed to assist first-year undeclared students learn about academic opportunities available at UMass Amherst, and also to methodically explore major options. Additional sections of OASIS are tailored for Veterans (UNIV 125V) and for Transfers (UNIV 125T)
. Comment from former student: "I now know what my options as a student are and I'm much better prepared to do all that I want. I am more organized, and I have a plan to get the most out of my college education."
FFYS 197xxx - Faculty First-Year Seminars (1 credit) span a wide variety of topics, and offer first-year students an opportunity to work closely with a tenure/tenure track faculty in their first year in college. Spring offerings range from "Soccer History USA" to ""Technology Today:  Present YourSelf the Web 2.0 Way"" to "When People Get Together: The Good, The Bad, and the Funny" to "Introduction to Design Drawing" . . . and much more!

Paul and Gabby's Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving Break

The final stretch is here! Congratulations on almost finishing your first semester at UMass! The stress of midterms, signing up for classes, and writing that 10 page paper is overwhelming and time consuming. Luckily, Thanksgiving break is coming. With the business that occurs before Thanksgiving, here are some tips on how to have a relaxing break that will help you feel refreshed and ready to complete your semester once you return from home.

RELAX!

Take advantage of being home. While you will only be home for a few days, savor this time. It's important to enjoy the company of your family and friends- people that you may not have seen for the entire semester! Thanksgiving is the perfect time to chat with your family members about how your semester has been going, all of the new people you've met, and your plans for next semester. Family will ask TONS of questions, so be prepared to talk and talk and repeat yourself many times. You may have tons of homework to complete while home- forget about this for at least a day or two and catch up with friends at a cafe or the movies. And most importantly, SLEEP IN. You deserve it. 

Plan for the Upcoming Weeks

Socialize and relax while at home, but remember that the weeks after Thanksgiving are some of the hardest academic weeks to complete at college. With final exams and final papers coming up before you know it, it's good to plan out studying times and homework times. Spend some time at home getting any makeup or lingering work done. It's also a good idea to schedule in exams and due dates in your calendar so you know when to take work off or study at the library. Planning the weeks after Thanksgiving will help you breeze on through finals, making Winter break just THAT much closer!

Get Excited to Come Back to Campus

While being home will be a time to unwind and reconnect, you'll be ready to return back to UMass. You'll miss your new friends and roommates and you'll probably be texting them pictures of your dog and places you go the whole time home. This is good! It means you've had a really enjoyable first semester and that UMass feels like "home". It's great to come back to campus with enthusiasm and a readiness to get back into your daily grind. I (Gabby) remember loving being home and being able to hang out with my family, but I remember even more clearly being SO excited to come back. So relax, plan ahead, and return with lots of vigor to complete your semester! 

 

Five College Interchange Pre-Registration Request Period Ends Soon

If you are planning to submit a Pre-Registration Request for a Five College Interchange Course, you must drop off two copies of your form to 613 Goodell by 4:00pm on Wednesday, November 21.

Read our earlier post to learn more about the Five College Interchange program.

If you miss the deadline, don't worry!  You will be able to register during Add/Drop in the Spring.

Talking Turkey: Networking over Thanksgiving

Have you heard?  

"Approximately 70-75 % of most jobs

are found through networking."

Whether you're thinking about a summer job, an internship, or a job after graduation, it's clear that networking can make a difference in landing the position you want.

While you're home for Thanksgiving and seeing people you don't ordinarily see, pay attention to what people are doing and whether they could help you learn about their type of work, secure a spot, or if they can put you in contact with someone else who could.

Work Your Contacts!

Click here for some tips on career networking for college students.

Weekly Preview Will Be Back Next Week!

 

Thanksgiving break starts on Wednesday, November 21 after your last class.

Classes resume on Monday, November 26.

It will be a quiet week events-wise as we head into the break.  Before you head out, take a moment to look at your finals schedule and clear up any conflicts.  We've reminded you of this before, but every year we get frantic calls during finals week from students who didn't check.

Safe travels!

Writing Placement Test TONIGHT!

The Writing Placement Test will be held tonight (Thursday, November 15) at 6:00pm in SOM 133. If you didn't take it during NSO (and haven't yet) and you do not have credit for College Writing, you should take this test! Contact the University Writing Program in Bartlett 305 and read up on it here.

Need HELP with registration for Spring?

You'll make the BEST use of an advising appointment if you do a lot of preparation ahead,

and if you have a list of specific questions for your advisor. 

What if you have general questions - or forget how to use SPIRE - or need help in preparing to make the most of your time with an advisor???

You've got options!

THE LINK - open to ANY undergraduate, regardless of major 
The Academic Advising Link (in the Learning Commons, downstairs in the W.E.B. DuBois Library, Sunday through Thursday, 4-8:00 pm) continues to be a great place to get basic questions answered. Bring your questions about different majors, Gen Ed courses & requirements, how to use SPIRE, etc. Check out the LINK before you see an advisor!

WALK-IN REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE - FOR UNDECLARED STUDENTS only
Be prepared to talk about a possible major, bring a completed Advising Checklist with 3-5 possible course choices picked out (http://ualc.umass.edu/advising/registration/) and check in at the front desk in 613 Goodell.  (Note: you will ONLY see an advisor if you have done some advance prep!)

• Friday, November 16th (1-3:00pm)
• Monday, November 19th (9-11:00am)
• Tuesday, November 20th (1-3:00pm)
• Wednesday, November 21st (10am-12pm)
• Monday, November 26th (1-4:00pm)

UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING DROP-IN - for undeclared students seeking dean's actions or for students with a major seeking information about changing their major
Drop-In provides triage services for students needing concrete information about what next steps to take with a question or challenge they're facing.  Any student with a declared major who wishes to sign in as an undeclared student MUST go through Drop-In.

 . . . and don't forget the SPIRE tutorials on how to search for classes and enroll in them!  (click here and scroll down, looking on the right side of the page)