Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Do you know about the "contract major?"

Suppose you'd like to change your major to fashion merchandising, or sports marketing, birdwatching, or whatever, but the university doesn't offer those majors.  You could enroll in another university, but that's a hassle.  An easier solution might be the "contract major."  (I don't know how many universities offer one, but mine does.)  The undergraduate catalog says, " a contract major is a coherent program of studies leading to a B.A. or B.S. degree, proposed by a student in consultation with a faculty adviser...The intent of the contract major is to allow students whose academic interests extend beyond existing majors sufficient flexibility to design a program of studies appropriate to their academic goals."  There are requirements to be met that I won't go into here; consult your advisor.  But a contract major just might be the solution you're wishing for.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Open your newly-purchased texts now!

My university starts classes next Monday.  Many of my students have probably purchased their texts by now.  (Yes, I know, they're expensive!  I hate that too.) Will any of them open the books to see what's inside, before the class starts?  Sadly, not many. If you're serious about your GPA and your education in a larger sense, you should open each text now and read a little, enough to get a sense of what's going to be covered in your courses.  Maybe something in one of them will confuse you, and you can ask about it at the first class.  That'll be a great way to impress the professor, whicih never hurts!