- Academic Success in a Rigorous Major
- Registration/Class Schedules/Advising
- Campus Involvement
- Being a Well-Rounded College Student
- Community Service
- Life After Undergraduate Studies
Academic Success in a Rigorous Major
Review SMART goals and expectations
Topics
- Ways to get through difficult classes
- Joining a student organization
- Applying for the Co-op Program or an internship
- Co-op interviews
Resources
- Engenuity Lab – 162 Paty
- COE Tutoring – 162 Paty
- myBama
- Center for Academic Success
- The Writing Center
- Freshman Engineering Program
Discussion questions
- What is the hardest class you have had so far?
- How do classes in college compare to classes in high school?
- What did you do in high school to make it through difficult classes?
Peer Mentor: Discuss the importance of talking to teachers, talking to older students, networking, etc.
Registration/Class Schedules/Advising
Review SMART goals and expectations
Topics
- Understanding DegreeWorks
- Planning spring schedule
Resources
Discussion questions
- Have you looked ahead at how you’re going to meet all your requirements?
- Have you used DegreeWorks? What questions do you have about it?
- Have you planned a tentative timeline for coursework to graduation and/or explored options for minors, specialties, and concentrations?
Peer Mentor: Discuss which classes are good to take as electives, faculty, etc. Discuss the importance of starting networking and mentoring early.
Campus Involvement
Review SMART goals and expectations
Topics
- Success in college means more than just getting good grades
- Involvement on campus distinguishes you from your peers
- Early involvement maximizes the opportunities for leadership development
Resources
- Visit http://thesource.ua.edu/ for opportunities to get involved on campus.
- Engineering organizations – Mentor UPP Resource sheet
Discussion questions
- What sort of activities did you do in high school?
- Is it better to be somewhat involved in a lot of activities or be to greatly involved in a few activities?
- What are some ways you can distinguish yourself from your peers?
- What activities have you already joined or considered joining?
- What lessons can you learn from being a leader?
Peer Mentor: Discuss your own activities and involvement and the opportunities that have arisen from them.
Being a Well-Rounded College Student
Review SMART goals and expectations
Topics
- Involvement – What is your progress in getting involved on campus?
- Balancing your studies and/or community service and/or leadership as well as nurturing your mental, spiritual, social and physical health
Resources
Discussion questions
- What does it mean to you to be a “well-rounded” college student?
- What steps are you currently taking toward becoming well-rounded?
- Between academics, mental, spiritual, social and physical health, which ones are you most focused on? What steps can you take toward more balance?
Peer Mentor: Discuss how you have achieved or are working toward achieving balance in your own life.
Community Service
Review SMART goals and expectations
Topics
- Ways to get involved in community service
Resources
- Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Community Service Center
- Engineering Organizations – Mentor UPP Resources
- Clubs
Discussion questions
- Why is it important for us to do community service?
- What community service did you do in high school?
- Is there a way to combine your interests with community service?
Peer Mentor: Discuss your involvement in the community or service projects.
Life After Undergraduate Studies
Review SMART goals and expectations
Topics
- Preparing for life after graduation
- Internships/Co-ops
- Research
- Graduate School
- Leadership on campus
- Resumes and cover letters.
Resources
Discussion questions
- Where would you like to see yourself in a year? Five years? Ten years?
- What steps are you currently taking to meet your goals?
- What is the difference between the Co-op Program and an internship? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each program? How can you find internships and Co-ops?
- Do you have a resume prepared?
- What are important qualities to look for in a company when you wish to apply?
- What is networking, and how can it be useful? How, when and where is appropriate to network?