Summer Reflections

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou 

And just like that the spring semester has come and gone but you’ve made it!   

As the spring semester winds down, we encourage you to approach the summer season as a time to RESET with some well-earned rest and reflection. Recognize the growth and development that took place over the entirety of this past year and be proud of your accomplishments. Take some time to celebrate your wins, big and small!  As for the challenges, take this opportunity to develop new goals and/or strategies that will better position you for the road ahead.

Ask yourself:

• Academically, what kind of year did I have? 

• What were my successes and what were my challenges? 

In terms of your academic plan and timeline to graduation:  

• Did I complete as many credits and courses as I had planned?  

• Do I need to repeat a course? Review theCourse Repeat Policy for applicable limitations and deadlines.

• What are some ways I can get some more academic support next semester? The Academic Success Center has many great resources!  

• Am I taking any summer courses? Summer sessions can be a great way to catch up or get ahead. Summer registration is still open and doesn’t require advising clearance. Remember, Finish 15  to stay on track!  

What about your academic major? Consider the following:   

• What aspects of my major am I enjoying and what uncertainties do I still have?  

• How does what I'm studying impact my future career goals?  

• Undecided or thinking about switching your major? Check out the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising’s Exploratory Page to help you move closer toward a decision.

• Do I have any General Education Requirements left to complete? Can I use those courses to explore majors or minors I might be interested in?  

Tip: If you are still exploring career options related to your academic major, spend time this summer talking to people who have careers that interest you.  Check out the online self-exploration resources at UMBC’s  Career Center and don’t forget to stay tuned for updates about our The Major Event happening in October!  

Using all of this information, review your class schedule for the fall semester and make sure it still makes sense given the academic year you just completed (i.e. Do you need to repeat a class? Are you enrolled in too many credits?).  

Tip: If you have still not registered for the fall semester and need advising assistance, talk to a departmental advisor or contact the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising at oapa@umbc.edu. 

Aside from academics, take some time to think about your social and extra-curricular involvement at UMBC:  

• Did I get involved on or off-campus in activities/events that interest me?  

• How well did I balance my social and academic life?  

• What lessons did I learn from getting involved?   

Tip: Extracurriculars can be a great way to meet new people but also get club and leadership experience that looks great on a resume!

Lastly, make sure you spend some time thinking about where you stand financially:  

• How did I budget my money during the academic year?  

• Do I have concerns about paying tuition or funding other aspects of college?  

• Am I aware of the financial tools and resources available to me as a UMBC student?  

Tip: Check out the status of your student account on myUMBC (under the topic Billing & Personal Finances) to be sure everything is in order.  Check in with your Financial Aid Counselor for assistance exploring funding opportunities as well!  The Financial Smarts@UMBC  website is also for great information on financing your education, living on a budget, and the concept of credit.  

UMBC is still very much up and running if you need support this summer!

Again, we congratulate you for all you have accomplished this semester. We hope you use the following months as a time to keep moving forward towards your goals. It is never too late to reassess your plans and set yourself up for success. Never forget that we are here to help you make it happen!