Networking - Make it Work for You!

Networking is the buzz word . . . the proverbial key to the kingdom of internships, jobs, perhaps even that class that's closed on SPIRE. What is it, and how can you make it work for you?

BDIC is sponsoring an opportunity to see how networking can operate. Come to Goodell 604 from 4-6:00 pm on Friday, May 1st for: Thinking Big About Your Career: Network With Alumni. For more details on the program (including the note about a buffet reception!) and the alumni who will be speaking, click here.

FINALS Fast Approaching!

 

Don't let yourself get overwhelmed by finals... start prepping now!

+ Block off enough time in your schedule to prepare for each test or paper individually including time to gather and organize your notes, make flashcards, attend review sessions. Try this study plan to avoid last-minute cramming!

+ KNOW WHAT YOU'RE IN FOR! Is the exam cumulative or only covering certain chapters? Is it multiple choice or short answer? How long does the final paper need to be?

+ Take advantage of campus resources: study with friends or in a private study carrel at the library and while you're there stop by the Learning Resource Center for some peer-to-peer tutoring or have a paper edited at the Writing Center!

Remember, the sooner you start, the less overwhelmed you will feel!

Registration Frustration

Having trouble searching for classes? Feeling like everything you want to take is already full?

What can you do?

Well, you can be proactive about it. Don't give up. People are adding and dropping courses all the time, so seats are always opening up.

+Check SPIRE as much as you can. For example, whenever you check your email, check to see if the class you want has any open seats.

+Get yourself onto waiting lists and get in touch with departments.

+Be creative about what you are searching for. Don't limit yourself to departments you are familiar with. Explore upper level classes (some don't have prerequisites!). Try something new that you've always been interested in but have never pursued.

+Be prepared to attend the first meeting of any class you want but are unable to add on SPIRE. There's no guarantee you'll get in, but at least there's a chance!

Do you have any other suggestions? Questions? Comments? Please do post them in the comments section below!

Resource Economics - Info for Prospective Majors

Bernie Morzuch and Donna Spraggon, from the Resource Economics Department, will be offering one more Group Information Session during the evening of Thursday, May 7. 

IMPORTANT:  If you are interested in the Resource Economics major, you must:

1. go to the ResEcon website, 
2. carefully read the webpage and familiarize yourself with the handbook, and 
3. fill out the statement of interest  in order to be invited to the meeting.

Once you have filled out the statement of interest, you will receive an email with details about the Information Session on May 7th (you must complete the webform before you can attend the info session).

The Resource Economics department offers four options: Consumer and Family Economics, Food Marketing Economics, Managerial Economics in Food and Resource Industries, and Natural Resource Economics.   Please note: the discipline of Resource Economics is founded on economic principles, and is highly quantitative, in an on-going way. 

BDIC degree takes you places . . .

Prize-winning Author and UMass Amherst Alumnus Peter Manseau will speak on 'Collecting Gods' TODAY - April 27 - from 12-1:30pm in Room 604 Goodell.

Peter designed his own major at UMass. Read more about how his academic major evolved into a high-profile career.

Don't Forget the Link!

Need help with SPIRE?   Finding Gen Ed courses?  Understanding requirements, rules, and regulations? 

The Academic Advising Link (AAL), located in the Garden Level of the Learning Commons at DuBois, is a great place to go for general academic advise and for direction to offices and resources that could help you out. 

Drop by -

• Sunday 3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
• Monday - Wednesday 2:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
• Thursday 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Or email the AAL at: advisinglink@acad.umass.edu

Monday is a Holiday; Tuesday is Monday

Remember:

Monday (4/20) is a holiday; there are no classes and most offices will be closed.

Tuesday (4/21) will follow a Monday class schedule.

What's Your Major Got To Do With It?

How do you go from getting an Econ degree from UMass to being an Emmy-nominated screenwriter? Come find out!

Mark Wilding '79
Producer and lead writer from Grey's Anatomy

Tuesday, April 28
4-5:00 pm
Memorial Hall

Click here for more information.

Writing Program Placement Test

Remember, to register for English Writing 112 you need to take the Writing Placement Test! 


The next test will be offered on SOON, on Thursday, April 16th at 7 pm in 224 Herter Hall. There is not another test scheduled yet, so make sure you go to this one!

Is Facebook a Distraction ???

Do you know where your time goes?

This article, from the London Times Online, claims that using Facebook might be harmful to students' academic performance.

What do YOU think?

Pre-Register for Five-College courses

Did you know that as a UMass student you can take courses at Hampshire, Amherst, Smith, or Mount Holyoke as well?  It's called the Five-College Interchange Program.  Pre-registration for Fall courses at any of the other four colleges ends April 17th, regardless of when your UMass enrollment begins.  Check out the five-college course catalog or visit the Interchange Office in 614 Goodell for more information!

Need Help Writing a Paper?

The Writing Center in The Learning Commons in the DuBois Library is a good place to go for some guidance. Check out their schedule, and make an appointment sooner, rather than later.

From their website, "After the writer tells us a little about the writing project and his/her concerns, a writing tutor will ask questions, offer advice, and generally respond as an interested reader."

Spend Some Time with SPIRE!

As your enrollment appointment nears, explore all the offerings for next semester. Remember that you are the final decision maker when it comes to choosing your classes. Whatever you hear from advisors, friends and parents, it is up to you to make the decisions about which courses you will take and when.

So, how much time should you spend looking at which classes are being offered?

We say, “Lots.” Just an hour of glancing through the offerings of as many different departments as you possibly can, using the course title keyword search, or searching by general education requirement can reveal countless options you never would have thought of.

Don’t be afraid of those yellow restriction warnings either; many of them will not keep you from enrolling in the class, depending on your individual situation. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come in and see an advisor.

You’re going to have to spend a whole semester taking these classes; you might as well spend an hour or two exploring the possibilities!

It's Registration Time Again!

Registration for Fall 2009 begins for freshmen and sophomores in just a few weeks! See an advisor before you register to review your potential schedule, and be ahead of the game when your Enrollment Appointment begins. Follow these registration tips to prepare now and get the classes you want for Fall:

1. Know the day and TIME of your "Enrollment Appointment." This is not an actual appointment with an advisor-it is the earliest time Spire will allow you to add classes. You can find this on your Spire homepage: look for "Enrollment Appointment" on the right and click "Details."

2. Check your Spire account for any "Holds" or To-Dos" that might prevent you from registering for classes. Contact the office of origin immediately if you find any to ensure they get resolved before registration.

3. Book an appointment with an advisor early. Appointments fill up fast this time of year, so don't procrastinate!

4. Explore Spire before you meet with an advisor. Compose a list of classes that look interesting, fulfill Gen Eds, or pertain to a major you'd like to explore. Bring a list of 5-7 classes with you to your advising appointment.

5. Keep an eye on Spire! Monitor the classes you are interested. If they seem to be filling fast, you need to have back-up options. Don't let yourself be surprised on your registration day!

Bring this form with you to your appointment.

Have you checked your exam schedule on SPIRE?

Why is it important to check your exam schedule NOW?

You want to make sure:

• you don't have two exams scheduled at the same time;
• you don't have more than two exams scheduled in any single day; and/or
  
• you don't make plans to leave for the summer BEFORE a scheduled exam!

To check your exam schedule, log in to SPIRE and select "For Students," then "Academic Summary," then "Exam Schedule."

If anything looks problematic, refer to this page on the Registrar's Office website to determine how to resolve your issue.

Your university e-mail account

In this technological world, it's easy to forget about your university e-mail account...

But don't!

Remember to practice e-mail etiquette.

Isenberg Info Session

The Isenberg School of Management will be hosting information sessions for current UMass students interested in applying to the BBA, Hospitality & Tourism Management or Sports Management majors.

5:30 pm in ISOM 206
Tuesday, April 14th AND Wednesday, April 15th.

For more info, contact the Isenberg Programs Office in ISOM 206 at (413) 545-5610

Focus Group Seeks Participants

How would you like to:

a) be very critically-minded and opinionated

b) have your perspectives and critiques taken very seriously

c) eat pizza!—not just pizza, but FREE pizza.

A committee of faculty and administrators have been working on making the website about gen eds at UMass more clear and concise. Before they launch their new website, they want to hear some feedback from students.

Come to 604 Goodell

at 3:30pm on Monday, April 6^th

You’ll have a chance to preview the website

and give them your honest and candid impressions.

In return, they promise to feed you pizza and refreshments!