Freshman to Senior Timeline: A planning guide
SUMMER PRIOR TO THE START OF YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR
& FRESHMAN YEAR
Download the UH Manoa College Planning Guide and attend New Student Orientation prior to your first semester.
Seek academic advising.
- Download and read your First Year Handbook
- Download your First Year Goals Worksheet
- Download your First Year Educational Planning Worksheet
- Speak with an A&S Advisor at the A&S Student Academic Services office.
- Visit the Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC) for advising that supplements college/major advising.
Click here for important information if you are planning to be a natural science major. This includes the following majors: biology, botany, chemistry, computer sciences, marine biology, microbiology, mathematics, physics, and zoology.
Study your program requirement sheet to learn about general education and graduation requirements. Use our on-line tutorials or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor if you need assistance. Start the academic planning process.
Use the University catalog as a tool to identify potential courses and familiarize yourself with UHM academic policies.
Begin the process of evaluating your commitment to your current major. Use foundations and diversification courses as a means of exploring potential majors and your academic interests.
Form study groups for your classes or meet with the professor to discuss the material covered in the course.
Learn more about yourself. Begin evaluating your interests, abilities, and values, through self-assessment activities or meeting with a counselor in the Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC) or Career Development & Student Employment (CDSE) office.
Learn and develop effective time management and study skills, as well as how to use the library
Focus on good grades and maintaining a strong GPA
Career
Begin exploring various careers.
Learn about transferable skills and the value of a liberal arts education.
Experiential/Co-curricular Activities
Get involved in student organizations or community service projects.
Consider finding a part-time job.
Academics
Declare your major. Base your decision on a thorough investigation and evaluation of your options, and take into account what you have learned about yourself in terms of interests, abilities, and values.
Re-evaluate your interest, abilities, and progress to date if you already have a major.
Develop an academic plan to keep on track with your requirements. This is especially important for students who are pursuing majors with sequentially based coursework. By now you should have a thorough understanding of your college program requirements; if not, use our on-line tutorials or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor if you need assistance. Arts & Sciences students should sign up for a JUMP Session once they have identified a major.
Begin looking into the National Student Exchange or Study Abroad programs.
Get to know the faculty and other students in your academic major.
Seek academic advising if you need assistance.
Career
Think ahead. Attend workshops on resume writing, interviewing and job search strategies.
Begin researching in-depth potential career fields (education requirements, desired qualifications, income, job outlook).
Be a competitive applicant. Visit the Professions Advising Center if you are a pre-professional student (pre-medical, pre-health, law) to learn about what’s required.
Gain work experience related to your field or that develop your transferable skills.
Attend career fairs sponsored by Career Development & Student Employment or meet with a career counselor.
Attend internship fairs sponsored by the Student Employment and Cooperative Education Office.
Experiential/Co-curricular Activities
Begin researching and planning for a independent research, practicum or field, or summer research/internship experience.
Get involved on-campus. Join a registered independent organization or chartered student organization.
Get involved off-campus. Join a local or professional association related to your major/career interest.
Be an active member and work towards leadership roles.
Reflection / Notes:
Can you identify how courses you've selected this semester advance you towards meeting your educational and career goals?
What supplemental experience(s) have you chosen?
What further exploration do you need to engage in?
What do you need to do NOW for LATER?
Academics
Attend a GRAD Session. You should attend a GRAD session when you are within 3 semesters of graduating.
Supplement major courses with courses that teach important practical skills (oral and written communication skills, leadership, computer, etc.).
Participate in the National Student Exchange or Study Abroad Program.
Research graduate or professional schools, if appropriate. Attend a Ready - Set - Grad School! Workshop.
Explore and consider research opportunities - after all, you are at a research institution. Plan for participation in a summer research program or register for Directed Reading/Research credits.
Interact with faculty and students in your major/field of studies. Find a faculty mentor.
Continue to maintain a solid academic record, one that represents academic rigor with a strong GPA.
Career
Register with Career Development & Student Employment services. Attend workshops on resume writing, interviewing and job search strategies if you have not done so.
Attend internship fairs sponsored by the Career Development & Student Employment.
Begin networking with professionals in your field through information interviews, professional memberships, or campus/major involvement.
Continue seeking career-related employment activities
Continue developing your transferable skills
Experiential/Co-curricular Activities
Participate in a cooperative education or internship experience.
Begin researching and planning for a independent research, practicum or field, or summer research/internship experience.
Share your wisdom. Consider being a peer mentor for the Access to College Excellence (ACE), New Student Orientation (NSO) programs, or the Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC). Be a volunteer representative for your department at the Major Connections Fair.
Remain involved on-campus. Join a registered independent organization or chartered student organization.
Remain involved off-campus. Join a local or professional association related to your major/career interest.
Continue working at a part-time job to build leadership, communication and office skills.
Develop your leadership skills by participating in the leadership development activities.
Reflection / Notes:
Can you identify how courses you've selected this semester advance you towards meeting your educational and career goals?
What supplemental experience(s) have you chosen?
What further exploration do you need to engage in?
What do you need to do NOW for LATER?
Academics
By now, you should have already attended a GRAD Session.
Supplement major courses with courses that teach practical skills (oral and written communication skills, leadership, computer, etc.).
Participate in the National Student Exchange or Study Abroad Program.
Continue your participation in research activities.
Interact with faculty and students in your major/field of studies. Find an faculty mentor.
Maintain a solid academic record, one that represents academic rigor with a strong GPA.
Career
Open a credential file with Career Development & Students Employment if you plan to go to professional or graduate school. Attend a Ready - Set - Grad School! Workshop.
Attend career fairs, workshops, and on-campus interviews sponsored by Career Development & Student Employment.
Tailor your resume to the type of employment you are seeking. Don’t forget to highlight your transferable skills.
Prepare for interviews
Identify references and ask them if you may use them as an employment reference (and/or write a letter of recommendation on your behalf).
Begin the process of applying to graduate or professional schools, if appropriate.
Experiential/Co-curricular Activities
Participate in a cooperative education or internship experience.
Share your wisdom. Consider being a peer mentor for the Access to College Excellence or New Student Orientation Programs, the First Year Advising Center or the Professions Advising Center. Be a volunteer representative for your department at the Major Connections Fair.
Remain involved on-campus. Join a registered independent organization or chartered student organization.
Remain involved off-campus. Join a local or professional association related to your major/career interest.
Take a leadership role in a class, project, club, organization or team.
Remain involved on-campus through participation in a registered independent organization, chartered student organization, departmental club.
Get involved off campus. Join a local or professional association related to your major/career interest.
FOLLOWING GRADUATION
Continue networking - Join the Arts & Sciences Alumni Association.
Created by Lynne Higa, Christine Kirk-Kuwaye
Updated 6/23/2011