Finish In 4
Complete Your Undergraduate Degree in Four Years!
College is a pivotal experience in your educational and personal growth, and one that prepares you for the next stage in life. The undergraduate experience - combining coursework, research, writing and involvement - is maximized in a four year period. UC Riverside degree programs are designed to be completed in this amount of time. Therefore, you should consider four years as the optimum time in which to complete your undergraduate degree.
In addition to sound educational reasons, finishing in four years makes sense financially. You enter the job market sooner, enjoy higher lifetime earnings, and save tuition and campus living expenses. So how can you accomplish this? What are the keys to a successful four-year university experience?
Here are some guidelines to help you Finish in Four.
Averaging 15 units per quarter, thus completing a minimum of 45 units each academic year, with a GPA of 2.00 or above, is normal progress to completing a degree in four years. All UC Riverside undergraduate degrees require a minimum of 180 units, completed with at least a 2.00 GPA. Some majors have higher unit requirements. Back to Guideline List |
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Pace for success. |
An academic term at UC Riverside is called a quarter and is 10 weeks long. This length of time is much shorter than an 18 week high school term or a 15 week college semester. You need to learn to pace yourself for quicker turn-around. In addition, the amount and depth of material to be learned is usually much greater, so it is important to plot coursework on a calendar to visualize what and when work needs to be accomplished and how best to prioritize your time. Back to Guideline List |
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Prep in summer. |
Before starting at the university in the fall, use summer school courses to satisfy the UC writing requirement and the math preparation that is expected for your major. Back to Guideline List |
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Choose a major. |
Figure out what you like, what you are good at doing, and then check into majors that use those interests and abilities. Make use of campus resources, such as the Career Center, to help you. Dig in and research the possibilities, take control of your decision. Changing majors after your first year may add time to your degree program. Back to Guideline List |
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Meet with your academic advisor. |
Maximize the time you schedule with your academic advisor, ask questions, ask for feedback on your course plans. Meet with your advisor regularly; however do not wait to be told what to take. Get familiar with GROWL and the Schedule of Classes which contain advising information, course planning tools and an individualized degree check system. Back to Guideline List |
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Develop a plan. |
Sketch out a four year plan, quarter by quarter. Study the requirements for your major that are listed in the catalog. First plan your required courses, any prerequisites, and those courses taught in a sequence. Some courses are only offered in certain quarters so work with your advisor to determine when courses are usually taught. Fill in your schedule with approved breadth courses and electives. Prioritize your major's requirements. Back to Guideline List |
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Click for information. |
Check www.ucr.edu for links to GROWL registration and scheduling materials, college and departmental deadlines, academic and student services -- all kinds of information. The websites also link you to a key person in your college or department's advising area to whom you can ask additional questions. Back to Guideline List |
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Go to class prepared. |
Attendance is a must, so make the decision to go to your classes. Be ready for class, follow the syllabus, read assignments, take thorough notes and listen carefully. Coursework, whether graded or not, is valuable in preparing for midterms, term papers and finals. Schedule blocks of time to study, especially during open periods between your classes. Back to Guideline List |
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Be persistent. |
Expect bumps along the way, everyone experiences them. Do not give up easily -- join study groups, talk with your professor during office hours, consult the teaching assistant and use the services available through the Learning Center and your college. Harder courses take more time and attention. The academic advisors in your college and department can offer solid advice as to when persistence pays or when you need to consider another route. Back to Guideline List |
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Balance your life. |
Develop all aspects of yourself -- academic, personal, cultural, leadership, career and social. Take advantage of extracurricular experiences whether you are a participant or an audience member. Care for your physical and emotional wellness. Choose healthy foods and try to get appropriate amounts of sleep. Exercise regularly at the Recreation Center and by walking to and from your classes. Enjoy your classmates, roommates and new friends. Keep life in balance, coursework in perspective, and successful academic progress as your driving force. Back to Guideline List |
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Reduce employment hours. |
Work only the hours that you absolutely must in order to meet your financial responsibilities. Instead of working longer hours to have more spending money during college, devote the time to your studies so you will gain a competitive edge for graduate school and in your profession. This commitment results in a higher income throughout your entire life. Back to Guideline List |
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Ask for help. |
Use the services available on campus: the Residence Life staff, the Learning Center tutors and student success programs, Student Life leadership development and activity opportunities, the Health Center doctors and pharmacy, the Career Center counselors and resource programs, the Counseling Center professionals, the campus police officers; the college and department faculty, librarians, office staff, academic advisors, peer mentors, laboratory and technical assistants; and the staff members in the offices of Financial Aid, Registrar, and Student Business Services. It is also very important to find a faculty mentor and become involved in undergraduate research projects. |