Helpful Hints from the SOE Advising Staff

Helping students succeed is the ultimate goal of the School of Education  Advising, Recruitment & Retention Office staff. Here are a few hints from our advisors to help students succeed in an education program at UWSP.

There is always an advisor available to help.

All students who have declared their intent to teach are welcome to meet with advisors in the SOE Advising, Recruitment & Retention Office throughout the year; however, during peak advising times, students are encouraged to meet with their assigned SOE advisors (if one has been assigned).

Develop a Graduation Plan.

Once a student has declared their major(s)/minor(s), we strongly recommend meeting with an Education advisor to develop a Graduation Plan. At this meeting, advisors can develop a semester by semester plan of courses - all the way through to graduation. This makes future advising appointments more about how students are doing, instead of what classes they need to be taking. Please call the SOE Advising, Recruitment & Retention Office, at 715-346-2040, for available advising times.

Read and refer back to the PEP Undergraduate Handbook.

Students receive the Professional Education Program Undergraduate Handbook when they declare their intent to teach. We recommend reading the handbook at the beginning and end of every semester to stay on track in the program. Students should refer to the handbook to find answers to a variety of different questions about the Professional Education Program.

Stay up-to-date with the SOE Newsletter.

The SOE Newsletter is sent weekly via email to all students who have declared their intent to teach. The newsletter contains the most current information about happenings in the Professional Education Program and students are responsible for the information enclosed.

Check email at least twice a week.

Find a consistent place to study.

We recommend that students find a consistent place on campus to call their study space. This "study space" should not be in a student's residence hall room or at home (for commuters) - there are too many distractions in these locations. Students who utilize the same space away from their "home" actually become more efficient with their study time.

Keep up on reading.

Students can't read any faster than they can read. Once a student falls behind on their reading assignments, it is difficult to ever catch back up.

Talk to instructors.

Instructors at UWSP are here to help students succeed. We recommend talking to instructors - early and often - not just when a student needs help.

Go to class.

It is extremely difficult for a student to do well if he/she is not going to class. Period.