Exploration & Goals

Resources

Explore Majors and Areas of Interest

Career-Oriented Help

  • Career Decisions Course
    Enroll in Effective Career Decision-Making (CN ED 100) to examine internal and external factors that contribute to career development. The course is especially helpful for students who are undecided about a major or career.
  • Career Planning and Life Design Course
    Enroll in Effective Career Planning & Life Design (WFED 119) for comprehensive exploration of health and wellness through the lens of life-span career development and personal growth.
  • Career Services Drop-In Counseling
    Have a 10-15 minute meeting with a Penn State career counselor for any career-related concerns.
  • Major & Career Planning - Exploring Fields of Interest and the Focus*2 Career Self-Assessment
    Prepare yourself for a career path to help you discover your interests and to apply your skills
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook
    Find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations through this resource from the US Department of Labor.

Goal Setting

  • 10 SMART Goals for College Students
    Knowing how to set appropriate goals is a common struggle for most college students. Successful goal setting involves creating SMART Goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives.

Thinking About What to Study

  • Exploratory Process
    Utilize activities on this page to help you think about your interests, values, goals, and ideas for majors.
  • DUS Student Stories
    Hear what DUS students have to say about their experience in DUS.
  • Myths about Majors
    Discover common myths about choosing a major and examples of why these ideas are wrong.
  • Visit Advising Centers
    Visit advising centers at University Park and Commonwealth Campuses.

Learn More...

Articles

Videos

Books

Direction & Goals

What do you need help with?

Student studying at Beaver Campus

Motivation

Find help getting motivated to choose a major, focus on classes and avoid procrastination.

Students at Abington Campus

Exploration & Goals

Discover ways to select a major, set goals for college, and find career-oriented help.

Nursing students at Abington Campus

Adjusting to College

Find out how to get involved, talk to someone who can help, and find other support on campus.

Students working

Personal Challenges & Self Care

Find someone to talk to who can help and learn resources to help with things like anxiety and stress.

Student studying next to Thomas Building at University Park

Study Skills & Time Management

Find ways to study smarter, not harder and address procrastination.

Image Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State - Creative Commons

Penn State Go HUB Takeover

Technology

Learn about resources to help with LionPATH, online coursework, and other computer questions.

Image Credit: Penn State TLT / Penn State - Creative Commons

Professor and students working with a laptop.

Tutoring & Academic Support

See a tutor, join a study group, or visit your instructor's office hours to get help with a course.

Undergraduate Exhibition Post Session

Finances and College

Get help with tuition, financial aid, and scholarships.

To find DUS resources at a different campus, please visit the appropriate Advising Center. DUS-related questions can be directed to dus@psu.edu or (814) 865-7576.