Career Services Guides
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Guide for First-Year Students
Being a first-year student is great fun. You have new-found independence and a wealth of opportunities ahead of you! However, it can be difficult to manage your time, stay healthy and keep on task.
Even if your major is “undecided”; it is never too early to plan ahead. Begin by exploring your career interests and setting a path toward reaching your goals. Make an appointment to meet with your career service counselor and start your career development portfolio.
- Meet frequently with your Academic Advisor to discuss educational plans and explore different courses
- Discover what you like and don’t like.
- Build a support network for guidance
- Friends
- Advisor
- Health and Wellness Center
- Learning Resource Center
- Career Service Counselor
- Faculty Members
- Manage your time.
- Try to maintain a balance between your college and social life.
- Keep organized! Use Microsoft Outlook, a handwritten calendar, write "to do" lists and prioritize your social and academic activities.
- Don’t overload yourself! Try not to get involved in too many extra-curricular activities. Try to get yourself situated in your academics and social life away from home.
- Set attainable goals and be flexible
- Learn to say “no” to certain activities, etc.
- Set up a monthly budget to keep track of your expenses. http://www.adventuresineducation.org/College/ccs_inwkst.cfm
- If you are feeling overwhelmed be sure to take time for yourself to relax. Remember to tap into on-campus support resources. If you need some support make use of your support network!
- Stay healthy!
- Eat right
- Try to keep from pulling “all-nighters” and get some sleep!
- Treat yourself and others with respect and dignity.
- Be open to new ideas and concepts.
- Don’t be so hard on yourself! Remember, this is a new experience and it might take time for you to get in a groove that fits for you.
- Find a summer opportunity to build your skills