SOAR1Student Development & Public Affairs|| MSU – A great place for those uncertain about their majors!

SOAR 1Student Development & Public Affairs | |

MSU – A great place for those uncertain about their majors!


You’re not “undecided”…You’re in the process of choosing a major!


Our choices develop our character –

and our character determines our choices.

Steps toward major choice:Take courses of interest in

general education.


7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

• Reinterpreted as:

The 7 Habits of Effective College Students


Habit 1: Be Proactive• Take responsibility for

your chosen actions• Values & Goals• Respect

• Active learning• The SLANT System:

• Sit up straight• Lean forward• Act interested• Nod head• Track with eyes

Choosing a major is an active process—don’t wait for

inspiration to strike!


Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind.

• Set goals and have a mission for your life

• Motivation - things that direct you • Internal• External• Passive Learning


Explore Your Options!What you should know about being undecided/exploratory:• Taking some time to explore your major options is normal

and healthy• Missouri State offers approximately 150 different majors• 1/3 of entering students at Missouri State University are

“undecided”• About half of the students who enter MSU with declared

majors will change their majors—at least once!• Students who start as undecided are twice as likely to stay

with their major once they declare.

• Many resources exist to help students make satisfactory choices about majors and careers


Resources to help with major choice:• Your academic advisor will specialize in

working with exploratory students• The Majors Fair on September 27 from 9

a.m. to 3 p.m. in PSU ballroom• Academic Advisement Center web site

http://www.missouristate.edu/advising/58894.htm “Help! I need a major!”

• The Career Center• IDS 120

• “Have you seen this major?” Featured major twice a month

• Major Mentors


Habit 3: Put First Things First

• Set goals

• Do first the things that are most important to reaching your goals

• “Life Leadership”

• Start a study planner



The First-Year Experience at MSU

• Learn about the Public Affairs Mission• GEP 101, First-Year Foundations• Common Reader: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks• Curricular Learning Communities• Integrated Service-Learning• Living-Learning Communities• Get Involved--Collaboration with the Office of Student

Engagement, and many other offices!• We want to provide you the skills and knowledge you to

be a successful first-year student!


Curricular Learning Communities • Linked and integrated courses! Get to know your

peers, and instructors, inside & outside the classroom!

• In fall 2011 we are offering 20 cohorts of linked courses for our curricular learning communities. The most common LC is GEP 101, First-Year Foundations, combined with English Composition or Public Speaking. However, many other options are available; see your handbook for more

information.


Living-Learning Communities What is a living-learning community? • A living learning community is a residential education

unit allowing students to transition seamlessly between their academic and residential environments.


Why Living-Learning Communities?• Interact with faculty on a regular basis outside the

classroom• Engage in academic activities that enhance learning• Meet with students with diverse backgrounds• Have opportunities to participate in social, cultural, and

civic activities• Receive guidance in developing study skills, time

management, personal wellness, and other tips to survive and thrive in your first year away from home!


Habit 4: Think Win/WinHow can we both win?

• Seek mutual benefit in interdependent relationships

• Don’t give up!


Your advisor can help you: Understand degree and

general education requirements.

Use campus resources through referrals.

Make course and academic program decisions.

Think through your educational goals.


Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then be understood.

• Try to see an issue from the other person’s point of view…

• then be understood


Two ways to “see things from the other person’s

Point Of View”…


“Out of the classroom and into the community”

An academic program which integrates meaningful “hands-on” community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities.


Two types of service-learning:

ComponentComponent and

IntegratedIntegrated


ComponentComponentStudents have the option to earn an additional hour of academic credit by providing 40 hours of service with a nonprofit, government, or public benefit agency. Similar to a “mini internship.”


Service-learning is embedded into a course and all students participate, providing a minimum of 15 hours of service related to coursework.

IntegratedIntegrated


Benefits of ParticipationBenefits of Participation

• Test career choices

• Gain “real world” experience

• Build résumé

• Apply theories and concepts learned in the classroom

• Contacts & references

• Make a difference

Those with relevant work experience get 50% more interviewing opportunities and offers; and a $7,500 higher starting salary. (Missouri State Career Center)

SOAR 24Student Development & Public Affairs | |Follow Your Passion. Find Your Place.


Why Study Away?• Broaden your world view• Meet new people and learn about

other cultures• Learn another language• Get credit toward your degree• Enhance your competitiveness in

the global job market• Travel for a week, a summer, a

semester, or even a year! Michelle Janssen, France 2010


Am I Eligible to Study Away?

• Full-Time MSU Student• 2.5 GPA (some programs

may require a higher GPA)• Sophomore Status—

completed at least 30 credit hours at MSU

Kreg Selvey, Ecuador 2010


Habit 6: Synergize

• When the joint effort or project of a group is more than what one person can do alone in a reasonable time

• Value different opinions, viewpoints, and perspectives when seeking solutions





The Learning Commons



Supplemental Instruction


Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw • Engage in continuous improvement in the

physical, mental, spiritual, and social/emotional dimensions of your life

• Balance is necessary!

Documents

SOAR1Student Development & Public Affairs|| MSU – A great place for those uncertain about their majors!