THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ACADEMICS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
PAGE 3A
Ready, set, enroll
Follow these suggestions to get the schedule you want next semester
YU KYUNG LEE
ykyunglee@kansan.com
The dash for spring semester enrollment begin as honors students and athletes start enrolling today. The rest of the student body has some time before their enrollment appointment date. Seniors' enrollment dates are Oct. 22 and 23; juniors', Oct. 25 through 28; sophomores'. Oct. 30 through Nov. 8 and freshmen', Nov. 5 through 8.
Before the enrollment appointment date arrives, students have to have an appointment with an advisor from either the Undergraduate Advising Center or their specific department. Here are some tips and information to help guide students through the enrollment process.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR CLASSES:
SIGN UP EARLY FOR AN ADVISING SESSION
Once students receive academic notice through email, they should log into their uPortal and look at the enrollment appointment time. Students should schedule an advising session before the enrollment time. After the notices are sent out, advising staff's schedules fills up pretty quickly, especially with advisors for specific degrees, such as engineering, nursing and business. Students can sign up for appointments online through uPortal's advising tab or contact the office directly through phone or email.
LOOK AHEAD AT NEXT SEMESTER'S SCHEDULE
The schedule for the next semester is already up; students can look at the times and make mock schedules. Doing so will give the advisor something to look at during the advising session. Students can also browse the University's website to narrow interests if they have several academic interests in mind.
BE HONEST IN THE ADVISING MEETING
Advisors will suggest next semester's schedule based on their assessment of students' success and adjustment to the current semester. Advisors want to get to know the student to best help, and students must be willing to communicate.
PUT CLASSES IN THE SHOPPING CART
DON'T PANIC IF SOME CLASSES FALL THROUGH
switching classes, even first week into next semester. That being said, students may want to have substitute classes as backup before the enrollment date so that they don't panic.
FOUR-YEAR PLAN
Before the actual date, students can actually put in classes they want in their Enroll & Pay shopping cart ahead of time. On the actual enrollment appointment time, students just need to press the "enroll" button on their shopping cart. Advisors suggest students do this so students have the best chance of getting their planned schedule next semester.
Between the time the semester ends and registration for classes begins in the spring, students can make an appointment with the advising office to make a four-year plan. Currently, advising sessions only last 30 minutes as advisors want to work with as many students as quickly as possible. Once enrollment is over, however, advisors will take hour-long appointments during which they can come up with detailed plan for the rest of students' academic career.
Students can always contact the Undergraduate Advising Center. Peer advisors will talk to students about alternative plans and
CHANGES TO THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS THIS YEAR:
ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM
This is the first year students can sign up for advising appointments online through uPortal. Online sign-up allows students to see all the available appointment times and sign up for a time that works best for them. Also, it saves the advising office time by reducing the time spent working out appointment times through phone calls, voice messages and emails. Students who have trouble getting appointments with their advisors before their enrollment appointment date should directly contact the advising office for an appointment.
SOPHOMORES CAN OPT IN TO KU CORE
While peer advisors had always provided help to students in managing stresses and choosing classes and teachers, starting this year, they can officially help students plan class schedules. Peer advisors will leave advising notes under student information on uPortal's advising tab. After a full-time advisor checks the notes, students advising hold will be lifted. Allowing peer advisors to discuss student schedules allows the advising office to be more immediate in their response to students needing immediate attention.
PEER ADVISORS
Juniors and seniors remain under General Education Degree Requirements while freshmen are under the new KU Core requirements. This year's sophomores can choose to opt into the KU Core. Under the KU Core, more classes across all academic fields will count toward degree progress. Incoming students with transfer students or students with many AP credits may be further along under the GED requirements than under the KU Core. Such students may benefit from remaining under GED system; KU Core is recommended for other students. Advisors can help evaluate whether GED or KU Core will better suit students.
1. Just a little bit of research before the enrollment session can help. Students with no idea on how to begin can contact peer advisors; they will point the students in the right direction.
TIPS FROM UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING
2. Remember the logistics when planning for classes. Is there time to eat, sleep, study for classes? Is there enough time between classes to get to the next class on time? Is there time for club activities or downtime? Having personal time is important.
3. Think two steps ahead. Some classes are only offered in the fall or the spring. Some classes have prerequisites. Students should look further than just the next semester, especially if they choose an academic field with very prescribed requirements.
4. Don't forget about right now. Even if next semester is all planned out, students still need to finish this semester well. Get help on planning the next semester and remember to spend time on working on this semester's goals.
5. Come talk to the advisors. They will give honest evaluation of student progress. They don't just help with enrollment. They are excellent sources of information and can point students in the right direction for more help.
Edited by Jessica Mitchell
Potter Lake was built in 1911 to provide water for battling fires on campus. Early on, it was a site for
diving and rowing contests.
POLICE REPORTS
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
- A 21-year-old male was arrested Tuesday on the 600 block of Vermont Street on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. A $250 bond was paid.
- An 18-year-old female was arrested yesterday on Interstate 70 at mile marker 190 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and minor purchase or consumption of alcohol. A $350 bond was paid.
- A 27-year-old female was arrested Tuesday on the 200 block of Highway 56 on suspicion of driving with a suspended, revoked or canceled license and tampering with engine interlock. A $200 bond was paid.
Emily Donavar.
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