Parents & Family: Succeed w/ my Student: Federal TRIO Programs

Q: What courses will my student take his or her first semester?
A: Beginning students must register for a learning community or first-year seminar (see page 16 for more information). Academic advisors will also recommend that students take writing and mathematics courses according to the student’s placement examination. Other courses will be selected according to the student’s interests or intended major. If a student has not yet chosen a major, courses will be selected which will help the student explore different areas and decide on a major.

Q: When will a student start studying in the school that offers the student’s intended degree?
A: University College is the academic home for all entering students. The faculty, staff, and students of all the schools work with University College. An academic advisor can talk with your student about the requirements to move into a degree-granting school. Some students will move into a degree-granting school after their first semester of study, while others will stay for a longer time in order to meet certification requirements. Academic advisors in University College will work with you and your student if you have any questions.

Q: How do students know how they are doing in their courses?
A: University College has an “early warning” system where faculty are asked to let the academic advisors know if students in their courses are having difficulty. We will then contact the students identified to us by the faculty. Students should be encouraged to ask their instructors how they are doing.

Q: What is a planning guide?
A: A planning guide is a list of suggested courses that is filled out when a student sees an academic advisor to plan for an upcoming semester. To obtain clearance to register for the spring semester, students must see an academic advisor in the fall semester, and he/she will sign up for an advising appointment in his/her learning community or first-year seminar. We encourage students to make every effort to keep this appointment to avoid the wait that can occur when a student sees an advisor on a walk-in basis.

Q: Where can a student find a list of courses needed for his/her major?
A: http://uc.iupui.edu/students/academics/checksheets.asp