Freshman Year Planning

 

Ok, you’re here at college. Now what?

The first year of school isn't easy. Maybe you’ve never been away from home for this long; maybe you're sharing a room for the first time; maybe you came to college because everyone says you're supposed to.

By developing good habits NOW, you will have a better experience at MSU.

 

Academic Preparation:

  • Workshops and information on study skills, test taking, memory, time management and speed reading are offered by the Learning Resource Center, 202 Bessey Hall. Their website has a schedule of workshops and advising info.
  • Help with writing papers is available from the Writing Center, 300 Bessey Hall.
  • Make use of your professors' office hours. Faculty are here to help you!
  • Go to class. Many studies have shown that people who go to class have higher grades. If you miss class, make sure that you get notes and materials from a classmate or buy them from one of the note-taking services.

 

Career Planning:

  • Explore career options through informational interviews and job shadowing.
  • Get a job! Even a part-time job will build your skills and help you to make decisions about what you like—and what you don't like —in a work environment. MySpartanCareer has listings for part- and full-time, internship, co-op, and seasonal employment.
  • Volunteer! This can help you to explore careers and get some experience in an area that interests you. Plus, you're helping others at the same time. The Service Learning Center places students in volunteer positions.
  • Network with family, friends, friends of family, acquaintances, etc. to find contacts in your field(s) of interest so that you can learn more about those areas.
  • If you need more help, talk to a counselor in the Counseling Center, 207 Student Services, or go to the Career Services Network to find out more ways to explore careers and majors.

 

Don’t forget to get a life!

While doing some serious work on your academic and career planning, treat yourself to some fun!

  • Be involved in activities offered by the Residence Life staff of your hall.
  • Visit the Department of Student Life for information on student organizations in your career or interest areas.
  • Find out if your department or major has a club or organization that you could participate in.
  • Go to the Main Library and learn how to use it. The main library also has fiction and music collections, so you can listen and read for fun as well as research.
  • Go to a sporting event that interests you.
  • Take a walk along the Red Cedar River.
  • Visit the Kresge Art Museum.
  • Go to the Intramural (IM) facility closest to you.
  • See one of the Residence Hall Association (RHA) movies.
  • Volunteer to take one of the dogs from the Vet Clinic for a walk.
  • Go to a play, musical, concert or other performance at the Wharton Center, MSU Auditorium, Breslin Student Events Center, Fairchild Auditorium, or Music Building.
  • Get involved in student government.

Faculty and other staff on campus are here to help you, so if you ever feel that you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask. Even if you aren't asking the right person, chances are, they can send you to the right place.

Welcome to MSU and the College of Natural Science!