Academic Advising

• Start each term highly motivated and be determined to stay that way. Be prepared to commit 2-3 hours of study and preparation for every hour spent in class.
• Plan to attend EVERY class and BE ON TIME, which demonstrates your commitment and interest. If you are absent, it is up to you to get together with your instructor for missed assignments. Check with a classmate for lecture notes you missed.
• Preview and review all reading assignments at the end of each school day.
• Apply techniques that enhance your memory skills.
• Take notes in class and review them within 24 hours. Rewrite your notes to improve your memory.
• Adjust your study time to meet the demands of individual courses. Develop a time management system for each day and week. Prioritize what you need to do each day.
• Seek the help of tutors for difficult classes. Tutors are available in the Learning Labs.
• Talk to your instructors. Office hours are posted outside their office doors. Ask questions you didn’t get answered in class. Be honest about what you don’t know.
• See an advisor for transfer information to be sure you are taking the courses you need to allow for a smooth transfer to the university level.
• Remember: Learning is a lifelong process. Accept responsibility for your own education and challenges as they occur.
• Be aware of established deadlines, including for Instructor assignments, fee due dates, Add/Drop dates, withdrawal dates, final exams and graduation application.
• Remember: Minds are like parachutes; they must be opened to work.

Choosing a major is an important decision that will affect your course of study of the next few years and determine the sorts of careers fields you’ll be prepared to enter. However, it isn’t unusual for students to be undecided regarding their college major. Many resources are available to help you make an informed decision.

• Visit a Campus Career Center 

Career Centers on each BCC campus have resources available for students to explore future careers. You can take career interest inventories to help determine what sort of jobs you might excel in and enjoy.  Also, you can research specific careers to learn more about them and determine if they’ll be in demand in the next few years.

• Take Success Strategies for College and Life

Success Strategies for College and Life (SLS 1101) is a college-credit course that includes a career explorations component.  In addition, this course helps students improve their study skills and provides an excellent introduction to college.

• Take Career Exploration

Career Exploration (SLS 1301) is a course that focuses on career assessment, exploration and experience through job shadowing. Students evaluate their own interests, abilities, values and aptitudes. Opportunities will be provided for career decision-making and hands-on experience.

• Visit FLVC.org 

FLVC.org, formerly known as FACTS.org, is a useful website created by the State of Florida to provide college advising information to students and has a strong career component. You can take a career self-assessment and explore various careers using this website. Also, you can learn which colleges in Florida offer the majors you are considering.

• Participate in Service Learning 

One excellent way to explore careers is to participate in service learning.  If you’re considering several different career fields, volunteering in those fields can help you decide among them.  The Center for Service Learning can place you in community agencies that provide hands-on experience in a variety of career fields.  Also, you can earn college credit for your service. 

This Milestone Checklist will help you meet your academic and career goals – and stay on target for graduation.
By 12 Credit Hours

• Complete any required college preparatory classes.
• Visit the Career Center on your Campus.
• Familiarize yourself with student resources such as the Library, Learning Lab, Career Center, and other services.
• Meet with a student advisor to discuss your academic goals.
• Review “Steps to Becoming a Successful Student."

By 20 Credit Hours

• Explore upper division universities, visit their web sites, visit campuses, and review  admission requirements.*
• Review prerequisites for your major and other transfer requirements with a student advisor.*
• Review your progress toward graduation with a student advisor.

 By 30 Credit Hours (or halfway through your vocational program)

• Review your progress toward graduation and transfer* with a student advisor.

 By 45 Credit Hours

• Apply to upper division universities.*
• Review graduation requirements with a student advisor.
• Explore career placement options with the Career Center on your campus.

 In Your Last Semester

• Apply for graduation through a student advisor.
• Check the Schedule of Classes for application deadline.
• Request final transcripts to be sent to upper division universities upon graduation.*
• Make sure that you have satisfied any financial responsibilities to the college.

* Applies to AA and transferable AS degree-seeking students.

 When deciding how many classes to take each semester, it’s important to understand that you should expect to spend at least 2 hours studying for every hour you spend in class. That means 12 hours of class equals  24 hours of study or 36 hours a week of class and study.  

Having to spend so much time studying will require careful planning with other obligations, like work and family. If you work

• 40 hours a week, take 1 or 2 classes.
• 30 hours a week, take 2 or 3 classes.
• 20 hours a week, take 3 to 5 classes.

 Also, students must find a balance between the types of classes they take each semester, particularly when it comes to Gordon Rule courses.  Click here for more information about Gordon Rule courses. ((links to page in right-column content box with information about Gordon Rule))

 Each letter grade has a point value: A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, F = 0 points. 

To determine your grade point average (GPA), multiply the number of points for each grade earned times the number of the course’s credits.  A “B” (three points) in a three-credit course is worth nine points.  An “A” (four points) in the same three-credit course is worth 12 points.

Add the total grade-point value for all courses and divide by the total number of attempted credit hours.

GPA Example

Course	Credit Hours	Grade	Points	Quality Points
ENC 1101	3	A	4	12
CGS 2100	3	C	2	6
PSY 2012	3	F	0	0
PEM 1131	1	B	3	3
	Total Credits=10			Total Points=21

Divide 21 points by 10 credits = 2.10 grade point average.

Go to FLVC.org, a website created by the State of Florida to provide college advising information to students.  Also check out UCF Direct Connect for information about guaranteed admission to UCF for BCC transfer students.