{"id":883,"date":"2016-09-22T20:30:49","date_gmt":"2016-09-22T20:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/eecsnews\/?p=883"},"modified":"2016-09-27T20:23:14","modified_gmt":"2016-09-27T20:23:14","slug":"top-tips-from-eecs-advisors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/eecsnews\/2016\/09\/22\/top-tips-from-eecs-advisors\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Tips from EECS Advisors"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Lizbeth<\/a>
Lizbeth Marquez and Nick Malos, advisors for the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science pose with Benny the Beaver.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In their role as advisors, Lizbeth Marquez and Nick Malos help hundreds of students in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science navigate their way through college. Their goal is to help students succeed and ultimately earn their Oregon State\u00a0degrees.\u00a0According to a recent report from the Commission on the Future of Undergraduate Education, only 60 percent of college freshmen get a bachelor’s degree within six years.\u00a0While there are many reasons students don’t complete their degrees, Lizbeth and Nick have some advice to offer to help you succeed.<\/p>\n

Lizbeth\u2019s Advice<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Get Organized
    \n<\/strong>College can be different from high school in that high school teachers tend to lead you through all the homework and due dates. In college, the professors post the assignments \u2014 often for the entire semester \u2014 and expect you to be prepared. Get a planner, use a smart phone app, or get a wall calendar \u2014 whatever it takes for you to know when assignments are due.<\/li>\n
  2. Find the right place to study
    \n<\/strong>It may be your dorm room or a cozy corner of the library, but find a place that works best for you to get your work done \u2014 while avoiding as many distractions as possible. There are many places to go such as the MU, the Valley Library, your residence hall, or most buildings on campus!<\/li>\n
  3. Seek a balance
    \n<\/strong>College life can be chaotic with various academic and social events. Make sure you stay balanced and don\u2019t overload yourself. One way you can do this is by visiting OSU\u2019s     Mind Spa<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  4. Get involved
    \n<\/strong>You may feel overwhelmed with being homesick or feeling like you don\u2019t belong. We encourage you to consider joining a     student group<\/a> (and be careful not to go overboard), whether it\u2019s academic, religious, athletic, cultural, or social. You\u2019ll make new friends, learn new skills, and feel more connected to OSU.<\/li>\n
  5. Take advantage of the academic resources
    \n<\/strong>Most schools and colleges offer study tables or have tutors available. If you\u2019re having difficulty, these     resources<\/a> are another tool available to you. Another idea: Talk to your classmates about getting a group together to study.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Nick\u2019s Advice<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Explore your major and career options
      \n<\/strong>It is important to remember there is no one \u201cright\u201d or \u201cbest\u201d major. You should select a major that aligns with your skills, interests, and goals. Talking with a career counselor in the       Career Development Center<\/a> can help you explore the options. Don\u2019t be afraid to change your major. It is estimated that about 80% of undergraduate students across the United States change their major at least once (National Center for Education Statistics, n.d.).<\/li>\n
    2. Get to know your fellow students
      \n<\/strong>It can feel intimidating at first, but it is important to get to know your fellow students because they can be a great resource. What better way to find others who share your same interests?<\/li>\n
    3. Get to know your professors
      \n<\/strong>Talk to your professors and attend their office hours. I promise they are not as scary as you might think. Professors are here to help you learn the material, challenge you to think outside the box, and further your understanding of the subject. They are also a great resource when you need letters of recommendation for scholarships, internships, or graduate school. Just remember, the better they know you, the easier it is for them to write a quality letter.<\/li>\n
    4. Put in the time & effort
      \n<\/strong>Some of the easiest ways to succeed include:<\/p>\n