DUS News - November 5, 2018
Is there a chance you’ll hear this question over break? If so, know that it can trigger some predictable responses. A research study shows that this question often makes students feel anxious and inferior, especially when their majors are not aligned with a specific career. The question, although often well-meaning, reinforces a simplistic view of education as vocational training and perpetuates the myth of a linear path between major and career. Don’t let this question cause you to simply go with the flow, and don’t let it dampen your intellectual curiosities. Take some time to reflect on how this question might be influencing your decisions. Use your adviser as a sounding board to examine if those influences are leading you on a fulfilling path. And remember: majors are not careers, and your Penn State education is more than your major.
In a few weeks, some Penn State students will spend fall break engaged in projects that connect their learning to real life. Are you interested in a unique and meaningful experience over a break? If so, check out Penn State Alternative Breaks. The deadline for applications for Spring break programs is December 15th.
You should consult with an academic adviser if you’re considering late dropping a course to fully consider the ramifications for your degree progress, financial arrangements, and potential opportunities. The Late-Drop Checklist can help you think through the potential consequences of dropping a course prior to your advising conversation. Be sure to read up on Late Course Drop policies.
- October 29–November 14
- Spring 2019 registration for most DUS students - November 6 (Tues)
- Election Day - VOTE!
- DUS Group Advising Session - Exploration Workshop - November 9 (Fri)
- Late Drop Deadline - November 13 (Tues)
- Civil Engineering Major Night - November 14 (Wed)
- Biological Engineering Major Night - November 19–23
- Fall Break - No Classes
More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.
The Lion’s Pantry was created to address the issue of food insecurity at Penn State, University Park, and is available to students with a valid Penn State ID.
Feeding Pennsylvania has a search tool for food banks in other parts of the commonwealth.
The Division of Undergraduate Studies offers scholarships to students in sophomore standing (at any campus) who have a cumulative grade point average above a 3.50 (if that’s you, please apply!). The scholarship is awarded to three current DUS students and consists of recognition with the Division of Undergraduate Studies and a $1,000.00 scholarship. Visit the DUS scholarship page to learn more and apply.
Are you considering late-dropping a class? Are you curious about how that may affect your student aid? Come to Grange Building this week (Nov. 5–9) to meet with a representative from Student Aid. He will be able to answer your questions about Satisfactory Academic Process and more aid-related questions. Be sure to select the "Finanicial Aid Adviser on walk-ins" option when signing in on the kiosk.
Election day is coming on Tuesday, November 6. Exercising your right to vote is a fundamental privilege and responsibility as a citizen. We encourage you to get out and vote and take part in the process of electing our public officials. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day. Polling locations may be busy, so please plan accordingly so you can vote, but still attend to your academic obligations.
If you are not sure of your voter registration status, polling location or district, you can look it up at votespa.com.
Learn about engineering majors at University Park during information sessions throughout the semester. Go to those that interest you, hear from students and faculty, find out about what you'd study in the major and what kinds of career opportunities there are, and tour the facilities. Upcoming major nights include:
Civil Engineering
Tuesday, November 13, 6:00 p.m.
207 Sackett Building
Biological Engineering
Wednesday, November 14, 6:00 p.m.
206 Agricultural Engineering Building
Now through Friday, Nov. 9, students may nominate advisers for the 2019 Penn State Excellence in Academic Advising Award. Sponsored by the University Advising Council and the Office of Undergraduate Education, the award recognizes and rewards advising excellence.
One award is given annually to a faculty member and one to a professional academic adviser. All current full-time University employees with advising responsibilities and two years of advising experience at Penn State are eligible.
Students who wish to honor an adviser who has helped them navigate the University’s academic system, plan a fulfilling program of study, consider co-curricular experiences, and learn to manage their own educational journey at Penn State are welcome to complete a short, online nomination form.
Advisers selected for the 2019 Excellence in Advising Award will be recognized by the University in the spring.
DUS will be holding Group Advising Sessions throughout the fall 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, including dates and times, visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website.
Topics include:
- Exploration Workshop (multiple dates/sessions)
- Smeal Entrance to Major (multiple dates/sessions)
- Study Skills and Time Management
- Marketing Your Transferrable Skills
- Schedule Planning (multiple dates/sessions)
- Constructing Your Story: Minors, Involvement, Internships, and more
- Major and Career Planning (multiple dates/sessions)
- Goal Setting and Decision Making
- DUS Students and Study Abroad
Interested in entering the health professions field? Beginning Fall 2018, all first-year students interested in meeting one-on-one with a health professions adviser are required to attend a large-group advising session (Med Prep or PA Prep) prior to scheduling the advising appointment. All other students are encouraged to attend these sessions as well, as they contain valuable information about how to get started (e.g., prerequisite coursework, extracurricular experiences, etc.).
FA18 Med Prep & PA Prep Group-Advising Schedule (all sessions are the same - attend one):
Med Prep: Coursework, skills & experiences needed for medical/dental/podiatry programs
- Nov. 12, 6 - 7 pm, 201 Thomas
PA Prep: Coursework, skills & experiences needed for Physician Assistant programs
- Nov. 29, 6 - 7 pm, 201 Thomas
Additional information about health professions advising is available on our website: http://science.psu.edu/premed/advising