Pre-registration begins today

thumbnailCA66YGAZAmazing that it is already time to be thinking of courses for next semester!  The planning period begins tomorrow and runs through Mon., Nov. 16 at 5 p.m.  Scheduling is the next day and the adjustment period starts on Wed., Nov. 18 at 8 a.m. through Tues., Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. 

As you think of your program of study, keep in mind the importance of exploring new areas of the curriculum and choosing courses that will stretch your mind, get you thinking and engaged in your work.  At the same time, keep an eye on gateway courses needed for possible majors, GenEd courses, and courses that emphasize Essential Capabilities you would like to strengthen. 

Take advantage of WesMaps’ categories to help you navigate the curriculum in anything from FYIs to  intellectual clusters to departmental descriptions to anything in the above paragraph.

Remember to spread your courses throughout the week and the day, and seek variety in the kind of coursework you will be doing. 

Any questions?  Talk with your professors, your faculty advisor, me as your class dean, Dean Lazare, and any other person with curricular expertise who you think will be helpful in your decision-making process.

Not Happy with Mid-terms…?

Not Happy with Mid-term Grades…

Many of you will be getting your mid-term exam, papers, and projects back soon, if you haven’t already.  While I hope you will be pleased with how you did, if you are not, it can be quite an eye-opener and rattle your confidence a bit. 

thumbnailCA0I6DB4Suggestions for next steps:   Review the exam with your professor and/or your TA and talk with them about study strategies specific to the discipline; meet with your faculty advisor and with me for study suggestions and time management tips; talk to a peer advisor and strengthen areas that you’ve identified as trouble-spots by going to an academic skills workshop (keep your eye out for exam prep and exam taking workshops for the next round of “mid-terms;” check out the SARN resources through the class blog, below; seek out some support at OBH or the chaplains; and come see me with any other questions or concerns. 

Always remember that you never would have been admitted if you didn’t have the chops!  We all run into times that are difficult or seem overwhelming.  It’s how you deal with them that makes a difference.

Relax Efficiently! Time & Stress Management Workshop

thumbnailCAADVN9SStressed out? Feeling overwhelmed? Come to a Time & Stress Management workshop! This workshop, co-run by the Peer Health Advocates and Peer Advisors, will give you helpful time and stress management techniques, tailored to the busy college lifestyle. You’ll come away from the workshop feeling relaxed and ready to take on all you have to do… as well as having received a massage. 

Note: Please bring a towel or yoga mat to the workshop so you don’t have to lie on the floor during your massage. 

Date:   Sunday, October 11 and Sunday, October 18                Location:   Woodhead Lounge

Time:   7:15 p.m.                  Contact Person:   Alyssa Bogdanow ’11

Math Workshop

The Math Workshop runs throughout the semester and provides drop-in help for students needing assistance with thumbnailCA89JAS5mathematics in their coursework.  Located in the Science Library’s conference room near the circulation desk, it is open Monday-Thursday afternoons from 2:30-5 p.m. and Sunday-Thursday evenings from 7 – 10 p.m.

Friendly math majors and math graduate students will be there, ready to help you.

Academic Skills Workshops: Get Your A+ On!

thumbnailCAGFPHI0ACADEMIC SKILLS WORKSHOPS!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

 EXLEY SCIENCE CENTER

SIGN UP or WALK IN

http://www.wesleyan.edu/deans/peeradvising/workshop_sign_up.htm

Exam Prep:     9/18:  2:30 p.m.   (Rm. 109),  9/19:  1:30 p.m.   (141),         9/20:  7:00 p.m.   (109)

Exam Taking:      9/18:  4:00 p.m.   (Rm. 058),  9/20:  7:00 p.m.   (141)

Note Taking:    9/18:  2:30 p.m.   (Rm. 121), 9/19:  12:30 p.m.   (121),          9/20:  8:45 p.m.   (141)

Reading Retention:   9/18:  3:15 p.m.   (Woodhead),  9/19:  3:30 p.m.   (Rm. 058),   9/20:  7:00 p.m.   (137)

Public Speaking:   9/18:  3:15 p.m.   (Rm. 139),  9/19:  3:00 p.m.   (139),        9/20:  8:45 p.m.   (139)

Study Skills:   9/19:  1:30 p.m.   (Rm. 137)

Time Management:   9/18:  4:00 p.m.   (Rm. 121),  9/19:  12:30 p.m.   (109),  9/20:  5:30 p.m.   (137)

Writing:  9/20:  5:30 p.m.   (Rm. 058)

GET YOUR A+ ON!!!!

Want a Writing Mentor?

thumbnailCALYMHMFThe Writing Mentor Program is accepting applications!

Have you ever wanted a personal tutor and editor, someone who would meet with you privately to help with your writing?  If you are selected to participate in the Writing Mentor program, you will meet every week throughout the semester with a student writing mentor.  Your writing mentor will help you with papers for all your courses as well as with general questions about your writing, whether you need advice about generating ideas, structuring your essay, grammar issues, or time management.

We invite you to apply. We plan to select some first-year students who are not yet experienced in essay writing and others who are capable writers already.  We also welcome all ESL students. Upperclass students with special needs may also apply.

We look forward to hearing from you. You can find the electronic application at:  http://www.wesleyan.edu/writing/workshop/mentorapp.html

This is a relatively new program with limited funding so we cannot guarantee that all applicants will be paired with a mentor.  Please note that if you participate in the Writing Mentor program, you are making a commitment to meet with your mentor regularly.  

Charlie Weiss and Oriana Korol, Ford Fellows in the Writing Program, 103 and 104 Downey House, (860) 685-2440, writingworks@wesleyan.edu , and Anne Greene, Director of Writing Programs

Academic Skills Workshops–Weekend I

thumbnailCAFF781AGet your semester off to an excellent start and go to your recommended academic skills workshops this weekend.  From Note Taking, Study Skills, Exam Prep and Exam Taking to Time Management, Writing an Excellent Paper, Reading Retention and Public Speaking, use these workshops to perform to your highest ability.  Go to at least one, if not two of those offered this Friday through Sunday.  Sign up now!!!  Open to all first-year students, recommended or not.

http://www.wesleyan.edu/deans/peeradvising/workshop_sign_up.htm

Academic Skills Assessment Survey Recommendations

Thank you all for submitting the academic skills assessment survey.  Based on what you told us in the survey, we have recommended specific workshops to enhance or reinforce your academic skills in particular areas and to help you negotiate a smooth transition from high school to college.  Do not be alarmed if some of you receive more thumbnailCAFF781Arecommendations than others.  This survey was for your benefit and our recommendations, based on your responses, will connect you with resources to help promote your success and make your academic experience more productive and satisfying.  You can access these recommendations through your e-portfolio in the “Wesleyan Career” bucket now and view a schedule of workshops that will be available during the first two weekends after classes begin.

Sarah Lazare: Assoc. Dean for Student Academic Resources

Sarah Lazare, the associate dean for student academic resources, works in several capacities to help students achieve academic success at Wesleyan. She administers Disabilities Services, oversees the Student Academic Resource Network (SARN) and SARN Peer Advisors, and works with the Class Deans to provide academic support to Wes students of all class years. There are so many academic resources available to students that when students find themselves stumbling, all they have to do is ask. The Deans’ Office or any other SARN program can help them find a solution.

Dean Sarah started working at Wesleyan in December 2006. She holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from Smith s-lazare1College; a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; and a law degree from CUNY School of Law. She worked at Smith College until 2000, where she also provided academic support services to students among her other responsibilities.  After graduating from CUNY School of Law, she served as their coordinator of Student Activities and Events for one year before practicing public interest law in Springfield, MA for two years. She found that she did not like courtroom trial work and missed working with students. After her two year appointment practicing law was up, she returned to higher education where she is again able to help students attain their dreams.

Come visit Dean Sarah on the garden level of North College (okay, the basement, really) in room 021.  You can drop by or make an appointment by writing to slazare@wesleyan.edu or calling x2332.