Chapter 6: Choosing Your Courses and Academic Program (Notes)

LO 6-1

Create a plan to prepare for the academic choices that college demands. *Making course choices involves finding out as much as possible about what your college has to offer. Your college's listing and description of courses, usually found online, is the best initial source of this information. *An important source of information and personal guidance in college is your college advisor, who has training and experience in advising students on courses, instructors, requirements, and regulations.

LO 6-3

Explain the criteria for choosing your academic program. *Choosing a major involves first accepting a period of indecision, finding out more about yourself, seeking the help and advice of others, considering going beyond the traditional structure of your college major, trying out unusual courses, and taking career plans into account.

LO 6-2

Outline a strategy for choosing courses that ensures you are getting the most out of your studies. *In choosing courses, check out your selections with your academic advisor and then register for the courses. You should be prepared to choose different courses or course sections if your initial selections are unavailable. *Verify that you have received your chosen courses, that the schedule of courses makes sense, and that your course schedule will help provide the number of credits needed to graduate. *Be prepared to deal with errors during registration or cope with the unavailability of courses that you need to take. *Reflect on your college experience regularly, verifying that course choices, academic performance, personal growth, choice of major, and your overall educational experience are satisfactory. *In service-learning courses, students engage in community service activities while receiving course credit.