Primed for Success at UMBC
Alright, I’ve been accepted to UMBC and school starts in a month. I’ve already registered for classes and purchased my required textbooks, but what do I do now? What should I anticipate on my first day? Is there anything I can do now so that I can be ahead of the game when the semester starts? How do I keep track of when my assignments are due with multiple syllabi?
Your first classes at UMBC may or may not be structured similarly to those at your previous institution, depending on the class, but there are certain techniques that can ease the transition into any of your core STEM classes. UMBC class Blackboard sites provide an online segway for the bulk of information presented in class. From my experience, most STEM classes (excluding laboratory courses) open their Blackboard site and upload the syllabus about a week before classes start.
Any information the professor provides is useful information, so don’t be hesitant to check out their Blackboard site before the first day in order to have a sense of what to expect from the class. Generally, the due dates outlined in the syllabus don’t change unless classes are canceled due to adverse weather conditions, etc. So I usually try to use this free time before classes begin to outline my assignments for the semester.
With the Google Tasks application you can create individual task lists for each class, and then enter assignment due dates. You can even set reminders so you complete everything on time! If you have an iPhone, the ‘gTasks’ app, among others, allows you to have mobile access to your planner.
Of the task managing apps I’ve sampled, Google Tasks, which also conveniently integrates to your MyUMBC calendar, turned out to be the most helpful. I feel electronic task organizers are more helpful than physical planners because dates can easily change due to new assignments or canceled classes. Whichever format you prefer, paper or electronic, getting a sense of your assignment load for the semester well ahead of time can be very useful. Additionally, be sure to note dates of pre-scheduled exams so that you can schedule extra study time the week before!
Once you’ve outlined your course load for the semester, from my experience, it is very beneficial to familiarize yourself with the services offered at UMBC. Take a look at the t-STEM Initiative website, which contains a map of the resources available on campus. Try reaching out to any UMBC students you already know, or even post on the MyUMBC Discussion boards! You’ll never know what useful tidbits of information you’ll find or what answers other students have to offer. It’s a little known fact, for example, that the Biology Tutorial Center, located in the basement of the Biological Sciences building, offers printing for 5 cents per page instead.
To sum up, your classes at UMBC may be similar to or wildly different from your previous institution depending on the class, but by preparing yourself ahead of time, organizing your assignment load and exams, and researching resources on campus, you’ll be primed for a much smoother semester!
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