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Looking Ahead to the Next Semester

By Marcy Kraus, director of the College Center for Academic Support

Yesterday a freshman said to me "I came here to take science classes but I've heard so many of my friends express concerns about how they're doing this semester, I'm now afraid to try." During the last few weeks, advisors have been meeting with students to discuss their spring course plans. These meetings can be a good time to assess and reassess how students are doing in meeting their academic goals. Advisors—and parents—might hear "I was going to major in (fill in the blank) but I'm not doing very well in Introductory (fill in the blank) and now I'm not sure what I should do. Or, a variation on this theme might sound like "I'm doing well in Introductory (fill in the blank) but I'm not finding it very interesting. Perhaps I shouldn't plan to major in (fill in the blank.) Keeping in mind that Rochester's flexible curriculum offers students unusual opportunities to explore a diverse range of academic offerings, students uncertain of their plans should not be discouraged from venturing off in new directions. If biology or classics or engineering is now of interest, it's not too late to try out these courses next semester or next year, and for most, still graduate on time.

A large majority of students tell us that Rochester's curriculum helped them make the decision to enroll here. While it may feel "safe" to focus all of one's attention on courses for a prospective major—or in the case of many UR students, majors—there are very few "shoulds" in the Rochester curriculum. As students look ahead to the next semester, the following questions can be helpful: "Did I have the right balance of disciplines and level of difficulty in my schedule this semester?" Perhaps the prospective chemistry major would have been happier and more successful if she had postponed taking physics until next year. The student who tells me that he wants to register in Multidimensional Calculus, Econometrics, Cognition and Physiology next semester might end up listening to my lecture about why Philosophy of Religion or Social Psychology might be a great alternate course. As students choose their courses for next semester, it is certainly a good idea to know what their prospective major and minor will require, but it is also helpful to ask friends "What professors have you enjoyed the most? Why?" and "What was the most interesting course you've taken?" Students should also feel comfortable asking their advisors "what do you think about my plan for next semester" and "would it be OK if I decided to wait before taking statistics?" Students who are willing to take academic "detours" will often find that these experiences help them balance some of the challenges that are embedded in our very rigorous curriculum and enrich their educational experiences in unexpected ways.