DUS News - January 23, 2023
We hope you've completed Exploration Series Topic #1. Now it's time to move on to connecting your interests to possible majors. Begin to filter majors by area of interest by using the Bulletin. Use How Do I Find a Major? as a guided note-taking sheet to help you with your exploration. After you've identified some majors, use the Major Exploration Worksheet to dig deeper into your interests, values, and strengths and how they relate to what you want to study.
To Do: Complete the How Do I Find a Major Worksheet and/or the Major Exploration Worksheet linked above. Bring them with you to your next advising appointment and, start a more detailed conversation with your adviser about your major exploration.
Next week’s topic: How Do Majors Relate to Careers?
Last week’s topic: What Do I Need to Know About Myself?
Your instructors care about your success. If they’re concerned by something you’re doing or not doing in their class—your performance on assignments, attendance, participation—they can "raise a flag" in Starfish to share their concern with you and/or your adviser. Your instructors have been invited to raise flags and send kudos (positive feedback) to students in their classes over the next couple weeks. This gives you a chance to see how you’re doing and make any needed changes early in the semester.
What Can I Do About It?
Try these strategies to take charge of your success:
- Talk with your instructor about their concern during their office hours. Be sure to review the syllabus before the meeting and reflect on the reason(s) for their concern. While it’s normal to feel nervous about attending office hours for the first time, there are plenty of tips to help with crafting the perfect email and office hours etiquette.
- Attend a Study Smarter session to learn the most effective study techniques.
- Use FREE tutoring services on campus.
- Schedule an appointment with your DUS adviser to discuss your progress, learn about additional resources, and create a plan for your success. We care about your success and want to help you thrive.
Following up on flags can help you to achieve your full potential! Don’t know if you’ve received a progress report yet? Check your Starfish dashboard or Penn State email for progress reporting messages from notices@starfishsolutions.com.
- January 30 (Mon.)
- How to Get Involved (DUS Group Advising)
The Undergraduate Bulletin includes an easy way to filter programs based on interests, college, and campus location. Just click the Program button, type in your search term, and click Find. Check it out!
From January 23–27, Quick Question Advising (QQA) will be held at the following times, both in person in Grange Building as well as online via Zoom. Please note that a DUS academic adviser is only available for QQA during the dates and times listed below. All times are Eastern Time.
| Monday, January 23 | 1:00pm-3:00pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 24 | 9:00am-11:00am |
| Wednesday, January 25 | 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Thursday, January 26 | NO QQA |
| Friday, January 27 | NO QQA |
Learn more about QQA or making an appointment on the DUS website. DUS students at other campuses or at other colleges at University Park should check how advising services are currently being offered where you are.
DUS will be holding group advising sessions throughout the spring semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment. For more information on each session visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website.
Spring 2023 Sessions
All sessions are at 4:00 p.m. ET and held in the Grange Building Lobby.
January 30: How to Get Involved
Please register in advance for the January 30 session.
February 16: Undergraduate Research 101
Please register in advance for the February 16 session.
February 28: Interested in Smeal?
Please register in advance for the February 28 session.
March 14: Explore and Find the Right Major for You
Please register in advance for the March 14 session.
March 21: General Education 101
Please register in advance for the March 21 session.
March 28: Course Enrollment 101
There are three ways you can talk with a DUS adviser at University Park (Note: DUS students at other campuses or at other colleges at University Park should check how advising services are being offered where you are):
- 20–30 minute scheduled appointment with your assigned adviser over Zoom or in person.
- Quick question advising (QQA) with any DUS adviser over Zoom or in person. No appointment is needed. You can find QQA hours and the link to the Zoom room on the DUS appointments webpage.
- Email your assigned adviser.
Planning to do a research project over the summer? Apply for the Erickson Discovery Grant, and earn funding for your project! The Rodney A. Erickson Discovery Grant Program supports undergraduate student engagement in original research, scholarship, and creative work under the direct supervision of a Penn State faculty member. The grants may be used to cover living expenses and project costs (e.g., supplies, materials, books, specialized software, travel for the purpose of data collection, etc.). The application deadline is Sunday, February 12.
The Division of Undergraduate Studies is on Instagram! Follow us @PennState_DUS to see student/alumni stories, academic tips, events, announcements, and more. Share your own DUS story with us using #PennStateDUS for the chance to be featured.