THE DIARY OF A COLLEGE GRADUATE:

WHAT I WISH I KNEW AS A

FRESHMAN!!Tasheika Fulmore

Summer Assessment Coordinator

Summer 2012

“IF YOU WANT TO MAKE AN

EASY JOB SEEM MIGHTY HARD,

JUST KEEP PUTTING OFF

DOING IT."~Olin Miller

DON’T HAVE A LONG WISH LIST OF “WOULDACOULDASHOULDA” WHEN YOU GET TO THIS POINT.

SEIZE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES NOW!!!

So what can you do about it?

The wish list guide: Get involved!!! ● Don’t sit around

campus wasting away!!

● Join an organization, play a sport or find some recreational activity off campus.

Network, Network, Network!!!● Get to know professors, faculty

and staff.● Socialize outside of your

immediate friendship circle. ● Find a mentor that can help you

maneuver the campus: ● EX.: Peer Mentors: (FYE)”

● Volunteer or Intern for organizations connected to your major or interests.

Challenge yourself ● Don’t stick to the mindset

of just “making it” out of college. Take the opportunity to do something you have never done before.

● Take course work outside of your major that will challenge you. Example: Take more than the minimum of a foreign language. Take at least one of the advanced level courses.

● Take every opportunity to do research; become a master at your craft.

● If you are good in a certain subject become a tutor and help your peers. Doing so will help hone your skills in that area.

LEARN HOW YOU LEARN ● We all learn differently and you have

to learn how you learn. ● you may need a little more time to

work on learned material than your peers and that is fine.

● The goal is not how fast you understand the information, it is about you learning the information and how well you can appropriately apply the information.

● There is nothing wrong with asking questions until you understand. There are no stupid questions except the one you don’t ask.

● Go talk to your professor and let them know when you can’t understand the information. Don’t wait until after the exam or after you are failing the course.

Belk Professional Development Center: Starting early

● Belk Professional Development Center: Located in Goold Hall-0011 Lower level.

● Start developing your resume and interview skills.

● Get to know the staff in this center NOW, so that you know when jobs and internship opportunities become available.

Office of Global Study Abroad/International Programs

● Mr. Russell Brodie● Director: Benson 200

● Assists with student study abroad.

● International service learning.

● International internships.

● International Grad/Professional schools.

No ride?? Transportation Provided: Triangle CAT Bus● Triangle CAT bus. 919-485-7433

● Travels throughout the Triangle: Cary, Raleigh Knighdale,Durham.

● The Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Mall, North Hills Mall.

● For all other questions refer to:

www.Triangletransit.org

Get Help if You need it● C.A.P.S – Counseling and

Psychological Services ● Women's Center ● Gordon Student Health Center ● Campus Police Department.

Academic Advising: Tutoring Center

● Academic Achievers: TRIO Program

● Writing Center ● SmartThinking

● If you are stressed, depressed or just need someone to talk to There are so many resources on campus to help you

● If you are in trouble in any way there are people here to help you. For example, If you feel unsafe or in any kind of danger contact campus police

● If you need help with classwork or home work, tutors are available for free at the academic advising tutoring classroom.

● The TRIO program is available for first generation college students.

● Get help honing your writing skills at the writing center from your peers.

(Financial Aid) Loans are Not Free Money ● Apply for

scholarships: UNCF is an excellent resource.

● Take the grants and decrease the loans.

● If you have to get loans, be responsible!

● Always apply early, apply the first day that you can apply

● Don’t wait until the last minute funds are not infinite. They run out and fast.

● Be persistent!!! Money is out there.

Don’t be in a Hurry “ it ain’t over ‘till it’s over”

● Don’t move too quickly. ● Take advice from your

professors they actually know what they are talking about.

● Don’t take too many classes at one time, you are in college to learn.

● You want to understand the material, IT IS NOT A RACE!!!

● Attend summer school to take that course that you are having difficulties in.

● You will get your degree in due time.

● You want your degree to mean something other than I have a degree.

Campus Resources● Academic Advising:

Hunter 201 ● TRIO: Boyer 100● Belk Professional

Development Center: Goold 0011 Lower level.

● Joseph G. Gordon Student Health Center

● Prezell Robinson Library

● Writing Center: Boyer 306

● Women’s Center: Cheshire lower level.

● Financial Aid/Admissions: Delany Hall

● CAMS: Benson Bldg.● Study abroad and

International internships: Benson Bldg. office 200.

● Cat Bus: Located in front of the campus.

Any questions???