These are ideas of what to incorporate into your college or semester plan that will help you focus on your academic career and cultivate a healthy work-life balance during your time here at Tulane and beyond. Bookmark this page and refer back to it often throughout the semester to assess your yourself.
Utilize the Academic Learning & Tutoring Center. It houses academic resources such as individual peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, the Academic Writing Center, and free computer services with access to programs such as Adobe Creative Cloud.
Attend Success Workshops. It's your time to brush up on study skills, time management techniques, note and test-taking strategies and more.
Engage in Diversity. Whether you self-identify as an underrepresented or non-traditional student, or just want to expand your personal perceptions, participate in programming designed for these students. Attend the Center for Global Education's Equity Thursday series. Visit the Carolyn Barber-Pierre Center for Intercultural Life.
Visit each instructor’s office hours at least once. Introduce yourself and ask a few questions about succeeding in the course. These interactions could lead to a long term relationship resulting in research opportunities and a reference for future employment or advanced education.
Meet with your Academic Advisor. Every Newcomb-Tulane College student is assigned a professional academic advisor who is committed to your personal, academic and professional success. Advisors can also connect you to information, tools, and resources that empower you to make informed decisions about creating appropriate academic and career plans to achieve your goals.
Schedule an appointment with a Newcomb-Tulane College Career Coach. Explore your interests, abilities, and career values. Identify and prepare to apply for internships, research, education abroad, service, and leadership opportunities. Research career options or graduate programs that connect to your academic program and your long-term goals. Develop your resume and practice interview skills.
Use the Academic Calendar and Your Class Syllabi. Stay on top of Tulane's deadlines for changing your courses or your grade options with the academic calendar. Make note of important assignments and how much they're worth towards your final grade as well.
Attend Campus Events. Tulane's WaveSync and Newcomb-Tulane College's weekly newsletter, the NTC Notice, are two great resources to find both fun and academic-focused events on campus.
- Attend Newcomb-Tulane College's First Year Experience Program events such as the Kylene and Brad Beers Reading Project Keynote Lecture and other Tulane Reading Project programs.
- Get to know your Residential Faculty Mentor.
- Engage with your Newcomb-Tulane College TIDES class.
- Use academic resources like the Academic Learning & Tutoring Center, the Academic Writing Center, Peer Success Leader Coaching, Academic Success Coaching, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library Research Help Desk, and more to help with coursework and the college transition.
- Activate your Handshake account, the university's online job search system. Part-time jobs on and off campus are listed here, as well as internships and full-time jobs for later.
- Meet with a career coach to explore your interests, abilities, and values. Have a conversation about where you want to go, who you want to become, and how you can get there. Learn about ways to gain real-world experience while at the university.
- Join at least two student organizations, including one related to your academic or career interests. There are hundreds to choose from at Tulane
- Attend Newcomb-Tulane College's Sophomore September events in preparation for declaring your major.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor to explore major declaration options.
- Use academic resources like the Academic Learning & Tutoring Center, the Academic Writing Center, Peer Success Leader Coaching, Academic Success Coaching, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library Research Help Desk, and more to avoid the sophomore slump.
- Use your Handshake account to connect with employers for internships and jobs.
- Meet with a Career Coach to discuss your career interests and goals and identify ways to gain experience that will best prepare you (internships, research, education abroad, leadership and service.)
- Participate in Office of Study Abroad events to learn about programs, processes, planning, and scholarships to go abroad for next year.
- Identify opportunities to engage in research within your academic program. Attend Newcomb-Tulane College Grant Workshops and apply for grants to potentially receive funding for your research, academic project, or internship.
- Stay involved with student organizations and seek opportunities to hold a leadership position. Some great positions within Newcomb-Tulane College include: TIDES Peer Mentor, Peer Success Leader, Peer Tutor, Supplemental Instructor or Academic Writing Coach, TUPals Buddy, OISS Orientation Leader, etc.
- Consider taking CRDV 1090: Majors, Internships and Jobs to guide your next steps to gaining experience and planning for life after graduation.
- Participate in Sophomore Week and the Sophomore Declaration Celebration in the spring to celebrate the milestone of having made it halfway through your college career and pick up your class pin.
- Use Handshake to search for, apply for, and arrange internships.
- Attend Career Fairs and career events to gain career information and connect with employers.
- Investigate graduate/professional school programs and develop a timeline for admission tests and applications.
- Consider taking TYLR 3000: TAYLOR Your Life, an eight-week career development program that aids students in planning their life course.
- Meet with a Career Coach to discuss your long-term goals, update your resume, and plan your next steps.
- Confirm your graduation requirements with your Academic Advisor before registering for classes in your last two semesters.
- Identify references for jobs or graduate school among faculty, advisors and employers.
- Begin a professional job search early. If you are graduating in May, start in the fall. Meet with a Career Coach to discuss strategies and resources.
- Connect with employers by attending Career Fairs and career events and using Handshake to find jobs.
- Apply for graduate or professional programs well in advance of established deadlines.
- Participate in a mock employment or admissions interview with a Career Coach.
- Apply for graduation with you Academic Advisor early in the semester you plan to finish.