[Plsugs] Important Tips as You Start a New Semester.

[Tanya Quist]

Hello Plant Science and Sustainable Plant Systems Students!

 

At the beginning of the school year, I wanted to provide you with some tips
to follow which will prepare you to have a successful semester. Please read
these carefully as they are very important!

 

Email

-So important! Check your UA email at least twice per day, especially around
the time when school starts.

-Set up folders for email so you don't get overwhelmed with a full inbox.

-Only use your UA email address for communicating with professionals on
campus (Professors, Advisors, etc.)

- You may find it convenient to have other email accounts set up to forward
to your UA email.

 

Academic support

-If you're overwhelmed by a class and you think you're in over your head,
set up an appointment to visit your advisor
<http://advising.arizona.edu/co_major.php>  ASAP!

PLS majors may schedule with Tanya Quist, while SPS majors may choose to
work with Tanya Quist (tquist at cals.arizona.edu) or Tom Wilson
(twilson at ag.arizona.edu )

- Information on the courses required for your major can be found on the
SPLS <http://cals.arizona.edu/spls/undergraduate/requirements>  and SWES
<http://swes.cals.arizona.edu/undergrad-program/sustainable-plant-systems>
websites.

- Questions relating to General Education, Financial Aid, University Policy
and Resources should be directed to the CALS College Advisors
<http://cals.arizona.edu/cas/> . 

-Explore the Think Tank <http://thinktank.arizona.edu/>  and write down
workshop and weekly course review dates and times.

-Figure out where the nearest computer lab/printer is to your classes.

 

Classes

-Double check your schedule if you printed it earlier this summer (rooms may
have changed)

-Double check rooms and times the day before school starts

-Take a "practice run" to all the buildings your classes are in

-As you enter any class, read the door and front board for course/room
change announcements

-Read every syllabus front-to-back; it is your contract for the course!

-Get a planner and write in every assignment and exam due date as soon as
you get your syllabi; also write down dates and deadlines
<http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/schedules/dates.htm> 

-Use Think Tank's semester on a page
<http://thinktank.arizona.edu/sites/thinktank.arizona.edu/files/files/pdfs/W
orkshops%20fall%202013.pdf>  and put your exams and big assignments on it
for a quick glance of your requirements for the semester! This will help you
notice exams and papers that are due on the same day.

-If you want to try getting into a closed class:

                *Contact the department to determine if there's a waitlist
or specific procedure for trying to get into the class.

                *Keep checking UAccess! Students will be changing their
schedules a lot during the week before school starts and the first week of
school

                *Take a Change of Schedule form
<http://registrar.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/Change%20of%20Schedule%20N
ov%202011.pdf>  to the first day of the class; if the instructor signs it,
take it to the Registrar's Office within 5 days. 

 

Books

-Save your receipts in case you change classes and don't open it if it's
plastic-wrapped

-Wait until after the first day of class and the syllabus is reviewed to
open plastic-wrapped books

-You can find your booklist through a link in the right column on your
UAccess or through the UA bookstore website
<http://uabookstores.arizona.edu/textbooks/> 

-If you buy your books online make sure you get the correct edition! Ask the
instructor if older editions are acceptable

 

Finances

-Use Wildcat JobLink <http://career.arizona.edu/joblink>  (especially to
find work study jobs) - pay the $5 fee to utilize Career Services, there are
tons of amazing resources on it!

-Tuition payments are due by first day of class to avoid late fee.

 

Other

-Register your bike <http://parking.arizona.edu/alternative/indexBike.php>
with Parking & Transportation and use U-locks only; don't use cable locks on
a bike, they are easily cut.

-Watch the weather forecast; it will still be raining for the next month!
Bring an umbrella!

-Bookmark the online phonebook: www.arizona.edu/phonebook - you can find
your professors, TAs, advisors, friends, and any other contacts you might
need.

 

Above all, don't wait to get help - contact an advisor! Advisors are here to
help you resolve challenges and be successful!

 

Best wishes for a great semester! I look forward to working with you.

Tanya 

 

Dr. Tanya M. Quist, Assistant Professor & Academic Advisor

317 Forbes Bldg. School of Plant Sciences

University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721

Plant Sciences Office: (520) 621-1582

Website: http://cals.arizona.edu/spls/undergraduate 

P Please consider the environment before printing this email

 

 

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