
As the fall semester begins to wind down, it is important to determine where you are on your path to graduation. Whether you are a freshman, a senior or in between, you need to make sure that you are on track to graduate, Take Stock college scholars. If you want to graduate on time, then make these following steps a priority as each semester wraps up:
- Meet with your academic advisor
The best thing you can do to make sure you are on track to graduate is to seek help from your academic advisor. Popping into the advising office is a MUST-DO for every semester. Go before registration opens to determine what classes you should be taking each semester to fulfill the requirements for your major and minor, as well as your general education requirements! Be sure to check out our blog post on registration. We have a lot of great tips to help you get the most out of your time with your advisor.
- Visit the campus tutoring office
To graduate on time, you need to make every effort to complete every class you take with a passing grade. The last thing you want to do is cram all your studying for finals into that last week and end up with a poor grade in the course you spent the last few months in. To stay on track, you need to make every effort to complete every class you take with a passing grade. You are so close to finishing the semester, so make sure you finish strong! Be sure to go through our previous blog post with tutoring tips on how to get the most out of your next tutoring session. - Check your institutional deadlines
Your college or university has specific deadlines in place that you need to be aware of! Know your registration window, and sign up for classes ASAP. The early bird gets the worm, and the late bird can’t get the classes she needs for next semester! Underclassmen, be sure you announce your major on time. Upperclassmen, be sure to sign up for graduation by the deadline! - Check your pre-reqs
Before you register for classes next semester, you need to make sure you have taken all the necessary pre-reqs for the classes you want to take. As you progress in your education, you will find that more advanced classes have individual requirements in place for students to take the course. Be sure you do your research, and check in with your advisor. - Look into winter intercession classes
A great way to stay on track to graduating on time is to take advantage of intercession classes: courses that are available during the school breaks. Intercession classes are fast-paced and intensive, but they can be a great way to earn a few extra credits between semesters. Remember, you want to try and take 30 credit hours a year. By taking classes in the winter or summer, you can get ahead in your timeline or keep your course loads more manageable during the main semesters. - Do a degree audit
Most colleges and universities offer degree audits to help you keep yourself on track. Usually offered by the advising office, registrar, or through your online portal, degree audits list out all the courses you’ll need to take to satisfy your degree requirements and mark off which requirements you have already completed. This tool is a big help to keeping yourself organized and focused on your path to your degree! - Make sure all your dual enrollment courses are counted
Want to graduate early? Be sure that all of your dual-enrollment courses and transfer credits are being counted by your college. There is no need to repeat your classes just because your college doesn’t have your previous coursework on file. Be sure any and all college credit is showing up on your degree audit!
The best thing you can do to stay on track to graduate is ask for help when you need it. Head to academic advising regularly, check in with registration, ask for a degree audit if you need to, or get the most out of your semester by getting tutoring. The secret to success is organization, planning, and getting the support you need. If you don’t know where to start, check in with your Take Stock College Completion Coach today.