Here's some of the advice I give our seniors:
The 15 Hour Rule
Most college and universities require that undergraduate students register for 12 hours of course work to be classified as full-time students. Additionally, this has implications for financial aid as most scholarships and grants require that the student maintain a full-time status. I recommend to all my students that they take at least 15 hours so they build in wiggle room, in case they get into a bind in a class. I share my story about only taking 13 hours my first semester at SMU. I had a visiting professor for my Economics class who I could not understand. I sought help from my advisor and learned I couldn't drop the class because of my scholarship. As it turned out, I still failed the class and I was placed on academic probation for a year and nearly lost my scholarship. It's not worth the stress. Take the 15 hours.
Most college and universities require that undergraduate students register for 12 hours of course work to be classified as full-time students. Additionally, this has implications for financial aid as most scholarships and grants require that the student maintain a full-time status. I recommend to all my students that they take at least 15 hours so they build in wiggle room, in case they get into a bind in a class. I share my story about only taking 13 hours my first semester at SMU. I had a visiting professor for my Economics class who I could not understand. I sought help from my advisor and learned I couldn't drop the class because of my scholarship. As it turned out, I still failed the class and I was placed on academic probation for a year and nearly lost my scholarship. It's not worth the stress. Take the 15 hours.
8AM Classes
Many students will need to make some adjustments to their study and organizational habits. If possible, I recommend that first year college students NOT take any 8AM classes. Interestingly, when students get to college, sleep outweighs most other needs, including eating.
Test Banks
Many professors file their old tests with their department Help Study Desk. Some of this may even be available online now. Some campus organizations, like fraternities, sororities and even the Catholic center might have their own test banks. Professors are only human and they tend to use information (sometimes repackaged) from old tests on current ones. This is NOT cheating; professors openly advocate that students read their old tests so they can get an idea of how the professor assesses his students.
Short-Term Loans
It is often not advertised on university websites, but most schools provide short-term (normally 30 days), no interest loans, to help cover the expenses of books or fill gaps when all of your aid does not arrive in time. There were a few times I needed to do this while I was at SMU and it made it possible for me to purchase books while aid was coming in.
Free Meals
I tell college bound students that whenever an adult invites them out to a meal or over to their house that is an opportunity for a free meal. I advise them to take advantage of that. I often invite my former students to visit me and I will take them out for lunch. After a semester of campus food, they get what I mean.
To Those Who Much is Given
By the time they have graduated, my students have heard my mantra over 100 times: "To those who much is give, much is required." Regardless of whether or not my students are Catholic or atheists, I always exhort them to not forget where they came from. Many of my students will be the first from their families to attend college. I encourage them to give back to their communities with time, talent and treasure.
Stay Spiritually Connected
Many young people get spiritually lost when they go off to college. I drifted away from my Catholic faith while in college and it took nearly 20 years for my return. Find out where and when Mass is celebrated on or nearby campus. You can use the Mass Times app to find out. Many major universities now have two major organizations to help Catholic students. The first is FOCUS, Fellowship of Catholic University Students. It's kind of a Campus Crusade, for Catholics that ministers to all types of campus with teams of speakers. The founder of the organization is Ralph Martin and I have had the opportunity to hear him speak. He is top notch.
The other is group is the Cardinal Newman Society which is exclusively on Catholic university campuses. They too strive to promote the New Evangelization. Additionally, their aim is to restore the authenticity of Catholic higher education.
Many students will need to make some adjustments to their study and organizational habits. If possible, I recommend that first year college students NOT take any 8AM classes. Interestingly, when students get to college, sleep outweighs most other needs, including eating.
Test Banks
Many professors file their old tests with their department Help Study Desk. Some of this may even be available online now. Some campus organizations, like fraternities, sororities and even the Catholic center might have their own test banks. Professors are only human and they tend to use information (sometimes repackaged) from old tests on current ones. This is NOT cheating; professors openly advocate that students read their old tests so they can get an idea of how the professor assesses his students.
Short-Term Loans
It is often not advertised on university websites, but most schools provide short-term (normally 30 days), no interest loans, to help cover the expenses of books or fill gaps when all of your aid does not arrive in time. There were a few times I needed to do this while I was at SMU and it made it possible for me to purchase books while aid was coming in.
Free Meals
I tell college bound students that whenever an adult invites them out to a meal or over to their house that is an opportunity for a free meal. I advise them to take advantage of that. I often invite my former students to visit me and I will take them out for lunch. After a semester of campus food, they get what I mean.
To Those Who Much is Given
By the time they have graduated, my students have heard my mantra over 100 times: "To those who much is give, much is required." Regardless of whether or not my students are Catholic or atheists, I always exhort them to not forget where they came from. Many of my students will be the first from their families to attend college. I encourage them to give back to their communities with time, talent and treasure.
Stay Spiritually Connected
Many young people get spiritually lost when they go off to college. I drifted away from my Catholic faith while in college and it took nearly 20 years for my return. Find out where and when Mass is celebrated on or nearby campus. You can use the Mass Times app to find out. Many major universities now have two major organizations to help Catholic students. The first is FOCUS, Fellowship of Catholic University Students. It's kind of a Campus Crusade, for Catholics that ministers to all types of campus with teams of speakers. The founder of the organization is Ralph Martin and I have had the opportunity to hear him speak. He is top notch.
The other is group is the Cardinal Newman Society which is exclusively on Catholic university campuses. They too strive to promote the New Evangelization. Additionally, their aim is to restore the authenticity of Catholic higher education.
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