Freshmen
Advising and Enrollment
Center for Academic Advising
Meet with your advisor before enrollment every semester to schedule classes and map a plan of study for your major/minor. Check the academic calendar online for enrollment dates.
Academic Resources
Get help early and often to ensure academic success:
Center for Student Academic Success, 2nd Floor Hardesty Hall
- Academic Success Coaching for improvement and support
- Tutoring Services for specific classes
- Disability Services for accommodations
- Academic Success Workshops
Writing Center, McFarlin Library 3rd floor
- Tutorial conferences
- Writing resources
- Personal writing projects
Math Resource Center, Keplinger Hall U10
- Free tutoring
Foreign Language Lab, Oliphant Hall 200
- Get help with other languages
Meet your professors during their office hours and to ask questions about course content. Keep a copy of your syllabus for each course and follow it—this is your guide to your courses and due dates.
Get Involved
Career Development, Hardesty Hall 2nd floor
- Develop a career plan and build your resume
- Conduct a job search and learn how to interview
Campus Recreation, Collins Fitness Center
- Intramural sports
- Fitness classes and exercise equipment
Student Affairs, Hardesty Hall 3rd floor
- Student Association and Student Activities
- Leadership opportunities
- Student discounts
True Blue Neighbors, Sharp Chapel 2nd floor
- Volunteer on campus and in the community
Log in to the TU Portal and check the campus calendar.
Know Procedures
Visit the information for current students page for all the offices you should visit to set up email, buy your parking permit, search for campus jobs, buy textbooks, etc.
Read the Academic Bulletin and Student Code of Conduct. Make sure you understand academic honesty rules at the collegiate level. Contact Financial Aid to see if you qualify for any aid or scholarships or have GPA requirements.
Visit Housing and Dining to learn about the housing lottery, meal plan options, and rules in housing units. Pay bills at the Business Office.
Stay Well and Be Safe
Alexander Health Center, 5th & College
- Minor illnesses & injuries
- Women’s health services
- Immunizations
- Counseling/psychological services
Campus Security, Mabee Gym
- Can provide escorts to car at night
- Sign up for emergency text message alerts
- Find emergency blue phones around campus
Other Tips
- Buy a planner in the Bookstore. Learn to manage your time NOW and schedule set study time every week. You should study at least 3 hours for every hour spent in class.
- Learn how GPA works and determine what grades you want to make (see the FAQ’s on the CSAS page or the Calculate your GPA handout on the CSAS Student Resources page).
- If you work, do not work more than 20 hours per week so you have adequate time to devote to your academics.
- Get a campus map on the TU website.
- Do not miss class. Attendance is important to earning good grades and some classes have attendance policies.
- Your TU email is the main mode of communication on campus. Check it every day.
- Learn to manage your finances. Create a budget and stick to it (start with http://www.oklahomamoneymatters.org/).
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet; get enough sleep every night; create a daily routine that you follow; and exercise regularly.
Sophomores
Find Your Path
Declare a major/minor. Evaluate your major and make sure it is the right fit for you. Start thinking about a future career that you will find rewarding.
Know your major/minor requirements and map out your course schedule for all four years. Some classes are only offered certain semesters and you’ll need to plan for those. And make sure your classes fit your plan to graduate.
Expand Your Horizons
Visit the Center for Global Education and start thinking about if you’d like to study abroad. Start looking for work experience. On campus jobs can be found through Financial Aid.
Get Involved
Decide what activities you really want to commit to and think about future leadership roles you could take in those organizations.
Build relationships with your professors by going to office hours and getting involved in your department’s initiatives and events. Think about getting a faculty mentor to help you prepare for your future career.
Build Your Skills
Visit Career Development for advice on building your resume and investigating career options. Look for internship or research opportunities in your field to enhance your skill set. Volunteer through True Blue Neighbors and attend a professional conference or Career Fair.
Sign up to be a tutor (at CSAS) in classes in which you’ve excelled. Helping others is a great way to keep your skills fresh.
Continue to Improve
Start building a professional wardrobe. Hone your communication skills to set yourself apart from others.
Come to the Center for Student Academic Success or attend a workshop for help refining your study skills, test taking strategies, or note-taking.
Juniors
Plan for the Future
Now is the time to find your purpose and really hone your skills. Set up an appointment with your Advisor to talk about your future plans and options. Consider finding a faculty mentor who can help guide you.
Look for opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the jobs or further education you want. Make this a priority.
Be a Leader and Expand Your Horizons
Start networking and building relationships that can help you in the future. Consider studying abroad to expand your horizons and set you apart by visiting the Center for Global Education.
Seek out leadership opportunities in the organizations you’ve joined. If you’re not already involved in an organization, find an organization that fits your values and interests and get involved! Visit the student activities page for all the places where you can serve and lead.
Invest in Professionalism
Participate in the variety of career fairs TU hosts each year, where employer representatives come to campus to provide information and answer questions about their industries, organizations, and employment/internship opportunities. Do mock interviews and explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook online. Before attending a job fair, check in with Career Services to have them review your resume and help you prepare.
Present a paper or poster at a conference. Explore internship opportunities and plan to intern and build your resume. Keep building your professional image and wardrobe.
Get Ready
During the second semester, meet with your advisor to ensure you’re on track to graduate and that you have a plan for how to meet all of your major requirements. Stay motivated—find what you love and keep your goals in mind to help you persevere.
Seniors
Stay on Track
Meet with your advisor early in the year to do a Graduation Check and apply for graduation, making final plans for any outstanding requirements.
Staying focused and motivated can be difficult as you near the next chapter of your life, but keep in mind that this year can be crucial for getting the experiences, recommendations, and grades needed to secure the job or graduate program you want. Stay calm and utilize Student Psychological Services if you feel stressed by the next phase of your life and any upcoming uncertainty.
Look to the Future
Begin researching the jobs or programs you want to pursue after graduation and work on building the skills and experiences necessary. Attend Career Fairs.
Work with Career Services to get your resume in top shape, get interview tips and practice, look for job and internship opportunities, and know how to evaluate incoming job offers.
Understand financial debt and start looking to pay it off. Make a financial plan, start a ROTH-IRA for future retirement, and budget for upcoming expenses like moving, attire, and living on your own.
Build Connections
Continue building relationships with your professors by going to office hours and getting involved in your department’s initiatives and events. Get involved with networking opportunities in your field or region to meet industry professionals and build up your network. This is a great way to find out more about jobs in your field, meet people who may be able to help you in your job search, and can connect you with others.
Ask your professors and/or employers if they can serve as a good reference for you for job/school applications.
Enjoy the Final Stretch
Your time at TU is a time to grow, both academically and personally. Stay motivated and keep your goals in mind. Enjoy the time you have left and make the most of it! Keep senioritis in check and persevere!