Navigating Your Experience

Confirm that you have satisfied your writing and math requirements. If you have not, plan to complete them within the next one to two semesters.

Visit the MyUMUC student portal regularly to view your progress and any outstanding documentation.

Print out the Student Planner and use it to plan your semester. You can find the Student Planner for the current semester in the Advisor Corner of the Connect@UMUC Web site.

Contact an academic advisor to discuss your progress in your program. Check which of your courses require prerequisites, so that you can schedule your courses properly.

Explore the various alternative credit options including Credit by Examination to see if they would be a fit for you. 

Use the Effective Writing Center so that you can continue to improve your writing skills.

Make sure you are familiar with the Information and Library Services.

Request a mentor from the Allies Mentoring Program.

Research the Tutoring and Support Services to see if any could supplement your classes.

Contact other students in your classes to form study groups.

Communicate with your mentor(s). (Check out the Art of Mentoring article.)

Attend career events and consult Career Services to maximize your career prospects.

Research your industry/field and learn about latest trends and practices: find local workshops, seminars, or conferences to attend.

Meet students in your classes and in the academic clubs who share the same or similar career aspirations and commit to staying in touch with them.

Put your education to work by applying what you learn in each course to something valuable in your desired career.

Develop an ongoing portfolio of lessons learned, assignments, experiences, and other items to ensure you are ready to demonstrate your preparation for your desired career.

Volunteer for UMUC 411 to meet other students, faculty, and to help prospective students.

See if you are eligible for the National Society for Collegiate Scholars or for other honor societies.

Consider whether you wish to run for the Student Advisory Council in the future.

Review the list of online Academic Student Clubs and join one or more that meets your interests. Student Clubs enable students to meet other students with similar interests, provide student and leadership development opportunities, and help students to learn more about career fields. 

Participate in the annual History Essay or the Social Sciences Essay competitions.

Join UMUC's social network by following UMUC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Flickr, and the Experience UMUC blog.