Nuts and Bolts WCU and Your Major

Why this presentation The department, the university, and myself want you to succeed. Navigating a 4-year degree can be confusing. Know the facts and ask if you don’t…don’t’ forget to have fun along the way

Support Services Career development center – career exploration, resumes, cover letters, internships, interviewing… Career development center Counseling center – individual counseling, group counseling, crisis prevention (suicide etc.), vocational counseling, psychiatric services including medication, phone consultations, workshops (stress, communication, dealing with differences, eating disorders, helping troubled friends), alcohol awareness, drug and alcohol counseling Counseling center ◦Most services are free Strong individuals know it’s OK to seek help ◦Staffed by several psychologists

Support Services Learning assistance & resource center – Learning assistance & resource center ◦Tutoring, it’s FREE! - first come 1 st serve ◦Academic success workshops ◦Basic skills test (CORE, PAPA) prep!!! Writing center ◦Face to face writing assistance ◦Online writing assistance

Financial Aid Finding $$ for college can be tough but remember you are FULL-TIME students. That basically means it should consume about 40 hours per week. ◦Carnegie system – what is it? Beware working too much as this can adversely affect your success…not an option for some

Financial Aid Types of funding ◦Aid programs  Grants (Pell… Grants  Loans (Stafford, Perkins, PLUS…) Loans  Work Study Work Study ◦ Kinesiology Job Kinesiology Job  Scholarships Scholarships ◦ See the undergraduate catalog ( /undergrad.catalog/finanaid.htm) and click financial aidhttp:// /undergrad.catalog/finanaid.htm ◦ There are 172 (don’t quote me) scholarships listed in the catalog.

Activities Clubs and organizations ◦ catalog/stuaffair.htm#organizationshttp:// catalog/stuaffair.htm#organizations  Look under “student organizations” Honors college ◦For “students with outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and community service. Membership in Honors is competitive with a maximum of 40 seats offered each fall.” ◦Honors curriculumcurriculum ◦Looks awfully good on a transcript ◦Leadership minorLeadership minor ◦International travel Office of recreation and leisure ◦Intramurals, club sports, group exercise

Events Calendar on Homepage ◦Get involved

Degree Requirements Misc. ◦“Q” courses (english or math) counts towards GPA but not credit requirements ◦Full time is credits  If able, get your $’s worth (near 18 credits)  You can take over 18 credits ◦ Advisor permission, pay per extra credit  Student standing is determined by credits, not how many years here  i.e. – Freshman credits (increments of 30)

Registrar Drop/Add period – 7 days ◦May do later but can be tough Withdrawing from a class – 8 th day to 9 th week ◦“W” recorded on transcript Declare pass/fail deadline – 9 th week Repeating a class 100+ level ◦Can do 5x’s, no more than twice per course ◦Most recent grade is kept regardless of score

GPA Calculating GPA ◦Use online GPA calculators:  Target GPA – use to determine what grdes you will need to reach a desired GPA  Example: Sam Houston Univ. (others online)Sam Houston Univ. Dean’s list = GPA 3.67 or higher Probation = GPA < 2.0 ◦Student must see advisor for creation of an academic recovery plan

Your Home Department of Kinesiology ◦Majors:  Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification ◦ Website tour  Exercise Science ◦Minors for HPE  Health (15 credits) Health  Coaching (18 credits) Coaching  Exercise science (21-23 credits) Exercise science  Individuals with disabilities (18-21 credits) Individuals with disabilities  Nutrition  Others (minors do not lead to teacher certification)

H&PE TC Advising – the UG catalog makes clear that ultimately, YOU are responsible for course selection and U. guidelines ◦The quality of advising varies so do your homework ◦Also, advisors are there for more than academics!

Advising Guidance Record/Advising/Curriculum Sheet (whatever it’s called) ◦Fall 2014 and forwardFall 2014 and forward  Proposed: Fall 2016 and forwardFall 2016 and forward ◦Block scheduleBlock schedule ◦ABSOLUTELY important to know what advising sheet/program you follow ◦Self Help Guide from Dr. CummiskeySelf Help Guide from Dr. Cummiskey ◦Year by Year Checklist from Dr. LeporeYear by Year Checklist from Dr. Lepore ◦PPE’sPPE’s

FATE – formal admission to teacher education ◦ pxhttp:// px ◦No longer is a FATE delay permit ◦Summer letter ◦Message – get FATE ASAP – freshman year is best ◦Basic Skill Testing – take the CORE over PAPABasic Skill Testing ◦Professional Testing Center – can schedule a test any time!Professional Testing Center

Mock Selection Take a look at the advising/curriculum/program sheet and do a preliminary schedule for next semester. If you use a different advising sheet, help someone else. ◦Return sheets when you leave