Adjust Quickly and Strategically to Unexpected Problems. (READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY)

• Major in the majors: prioritize your coursework over extracurriculars, and on major courses over GER’s
  Have an exit strategy from Day 1: expect to have a smooth fall semester, but be prepared for something to go wrong.
  • Keep an ordered list of classes you can afford to drop.
    Know how many credits you need to keep any scholarships / grants / loans you might have.
    Know what GPA you need to maintain to keep any scholarships / grants / loans you might have.
    Know what forgiveness / petition policies there might be should your GPA take a hit:
    Fall of freshman year is perhaps the riskiest semester for your GPA.
    Three credits of D or F factor in very heavily when you only have 15 credits total.
    They have a negligible effect on 100 credits of A’s and B’s.
    Many committees are aware of this, and they typically don’t want you to be so risk averse that you don’t follow through on a substantial course that may set the course for your future major and career.
    There is also a forgiveness policy for classes in which you earn a C- or below. In some classes (but not all) therefore, it’s better to get an F than a C.
    Put the drop deadline on your calendar with an automatic alert.
    In the calendar entry, include the website and any other notes on how to drop a class.
    If you pass the withdrawal deadline and now realize that one or more courses are more than you can handle, then make a strategic decision.
    Put the least amount of effort into the class(es) that you can afford to do poorly in. Don’t stubbornly focus all your attention on a math or biology class if these are only GER’s that have little bearing on your major(s) or career goals.
    If a class is offered in Winter Session, or May or August Intersession, consider whether you would do better to fail the class and take it over than to get a C in the class (see the UM forgiveness policy).

Review our Academic Standard

There is a balance between choosing generic courses that advance you toward graduation and choosing courses that help you determine if you are heading in the right direction academically and professionally. In this regard, this semester is perhaps the most critical.

Seek out opportunities at language tables, in the hallway outside of class, and during any cultural events to seek out and talk to any older Flagship students who have any overlap in your intended major, special program, career field, study abroad plans, etc. These opportunities will not create themselves, and many students go years without taking advantage of older students. When you become a senior and starting thinking about internship opportunities at Capstone, you will wish you had 2 or 3 cohorts’ worth of references and mentors.

do I need to add / drop / change a major, minor, or special program?
Be mindful of add / drop deadlines.