Deck 11: Academic Planning and Choosing Your Degree

Question 1

What should you do first when developing your academic plan?

A) Think about which careers are best matched to your skills.
B) Talk to people who work in your field of interest.
C) Write down all of the fields that interest you.
D) Decide what your degree program will be.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A solid academic plan

A) disregards your past and focuses entirely on your future.
B) incorporates aspects of your skills and values.
C) includes short-term goals, but not long-term goals.
D) includes long-term goals, but not short-term goals.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Felipe worked part-time at a grocery store in high school, and although he made friends, he didn't enjoy working directly with the public. He graduated from high school with honors in math and science but struggled a little in humanities classes. Over the summer, he worked as an assistant to his uncle, a carpenter. Felipe didn't mind the long hours or the hard work, but when they finished a project, he didn't feel the same sense of accomplishment as his uncle. Instead, he was just glad they were done. Now Felipe is in his first term at college and he is working part-time at a diner as a short-order cook. He really enjoys preparing food for customers and has even come up with a few new dishes of his own. Felipe's mother wants him to be an attorney, but he isn't sure what he wants to do. Considering his personal experiences, Felipe would likely be most strongly engaged in an academic path in which field of study?

A) retail management
B) law
C) architecture
D) culinary arts

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Your _____ will define the majority of what your academic life will look like.

A) prerequisites
B) values
C) minor
D) program of study

Question 5

It is most important to choose a program of study that

A) you enjoy.
B) will lead to a high-paying job.
C) will require you to attend graduate school.
D) you have significant experience in.

Question 6

Some disciplines require you to

A) declare a second field of study.
B) declare a specific minor field of study.
C) complete an application process.
D) complete a six-year program.

Question 7

What should you do if, a few weeks after declaring your program of study, you realize that it isn't right for you?

A) Finish what you started-earn the degree even if you won't use it.
B) Find out if it's possible for you to switch your program of study.
C) Drop out of school and then re-register next term.
D) Declare a double major and work toward two degrees.

Question 8

Sandra's major field of study is biology, and her minor field of study is philosophy. She is a few weeks into her final term. Her plan had been to earn a biology degree and then go on to med school and study to become a physician. Recently, though, she's had a change of heart and has decided that she isn't cut out for a career in medicine. Instead, she'd like to be a social worker, even though she hasn't taken any courses in that field. A social work major requires that Sandra complete ten courses in that field, and a minor requires that she complete six. She spoke to an advisor about switching her major field of study, but with graduation only a few months away, it's too late to do so. What would be the best course of action for Sandra if she wants to graduate on time?

A) Finish the term and earn her biology degree.
B) Declare a double major in biology and social work.
C) Switch her minor from philosophy to social work.
D) Drop out of school and re-register next term.

Question 9

After completing his first term at community college, Andrew dropped out of school to focus on caring for his mother, who had a terminal illness. She passed away a year later, and Andrew moved to another town to be closer to the rest of his family. Now he is ready to resume his academic career. He plans to enroll at a different community college, work toward an associate's degree in business administration, and then transfer to a four-year school and earn his bachelor's degree in business management. What should Andrew do before enrolling?

A) Decide which four-year school he will transfer to and send in an application.
B) Meet with local employers to ask about positions that might be available when he graduates.
C) Purchase the textbooks he will need for the upcoming term.
D) Speak to an advisor to find out whether any of his college credits can transfer.

Question 10

Which profession requires additional schooling beyond a bachelor's degree?

A) accountant
B) lawyer
C) computer programmer
D) journalist

Question 11

When selecting your courses, it is most important to consider your interests and

A) the number of students that will be in each class.
B) how long it will take to earn your degree.
C) the school's general academic requirements.
D) which classes are most and least expensive.

Question 12

_____ are either specific courses or courses from specific academic categories that your college has determined to be essential for all students to take to graduate.

A) Course prerequisites
B) Graduate courses
C) General requirements
D) Humanities courses

Question 13

Ideally, your course load should

A) provide variety in terms of subjects and the type of work you will perform in each class.
B) alternate each term between all difficult courses and all easy courses.
C) be limited to courses within the fields of your declared program of study.
D) get your electives out of the way first, and then later focus on required courses.

Question 14

During your first year of college, you should start mapping out when you might take the required courses for your major program of study if you are

A) fairly certain what your major program of study will be.
B) exploring a few major programs of study.
C) fairly certain what your minor program of study will be.
D) exploring a few minor programs of study.

Question 15

What should you do if you end up with an unbalanced course load and find yourself struggling?

A) Fill your schedule with easy courses next term.
B) Talk with a mentor or academic advisor.
C) Withdraw from your most difficult courses.
D) Withdraw from courses not required for your program of study.

Question 16

What is the method primarily used to sign up for courses in college?

A) written request to the registrar's office
B) automated phone system
C) in person
D) online course registration system

Question 17

A limited-enrollment class is a class that

A) all students are required to enroll in to graduate.
B) only students in certain degree programs are required to enroll in to graduate.
C) only a certain number of students can enroll in each term.
D) is taught both in person and online, allowing more students to enroll.

Question 18

Megan recently enrolled at a four-year school, where she plans to pursue a criminal justice degree. Her older sister, who attended a different college, told her that the school would assign her an academic advisor, but it turns out that Megan's school doesn't do this. With the deadline for course enrollment approaching soon, what would be the best course of action for Megan to take?

A) Seek out someone on campus who can help her decide which courses she should take.
B) Choose a few courses she's interested in and sign up for them on the school's computerized system.
C) Ask her older sister which courses she should take.
D) Declare a major program of study immediately and enroll only in courses related to that subject.

Question 19

Param is trying to decide which courses to take during his first term at college. He is considering a career as a mechanical engineer, but his parents want him to be a doctor. His older brother recommends taking hard classes first to get them out of the way. His girlfriend, who is attending the same school, wants him to enroll in some of the classes she is taking so they can spend more time together. Which would be the best strategy for Param as he selects his courses?

A) taking a few pre-med courses to make his parents happy
B) taking two classes with his girlfriend so they can spend time together
C) not trying to get as many "tough" courses out of the way during his first term
D) opting for a few online courses because they'll be easier than traditional courses

Question 20

What should you do first if you're taking a course that is very difficult for you and you still struggle no matter how much effort you put in?

A) Keep studying in the same way.
B) Speak with an academic advisor.
C) Withdraw from the class.
D) Focus on doing well in your other classes instead.

Question 21

Your academic plan is likely to be very similar to the academic plans of other students.

Question 22

Discovering that you don't like a particular class or a certain subject is as valuable as finding one that you do like.

Question 23

Minoring in a field of study can be a great way to fulfill your interests.

Question 24

You can fulfill the requirements for a minor in a field without planning to.

Question 25

It is crucial to settle on a major program of study in your first year of college.

Question 26

When developing your academic plan, you should put off as many required courses as possible until your final year of college.

Question 27

You can use your school's online course registration system to verify that you're actually enrolled in the classes you want to take during the upcoming term.

Question 28

When meeting with your academic advisor to select courses, you should inform him or her about other commitments in your life, such as family responsibilities or a full-time job.

Question 29

If you want to "get ahead," you should take more than the recommended number of courses each term.

Question 30

If you have never taken a course in a particular field, you should take an introductory course before you attempt an advanced course.

Question 31

Why is it important to figure out what fields and disciplines you're interested in during your first year of college?

Question 32

Why is it important to choose a program of study you enjoy?

Question 33

What are two concerns to consider before deciding to pursue two or more programs of study?

Question 34

List three questions you should ask yourself when choosing a degree program.

Question 35

Identify five things you should do when selecting courses.

Question 36

Discuss three of your long-term academic goals. Be sure to clearly identify each goal, describe what it involves, and explain why it is important to you. Include examples in your response.

Question 37

Identify at least two major and two minor fields of study you are considering, and explain why you are interested in studying them. Include examples in your response.

Question 38

Describe your academic plan for your first year of college. Explain your general strategy and include examples of specific courses you would like to take. What actions will you take as you implement your academic plan, and why?

Question 39

Imagine that you are getting ready to meet with your academic advisor to discuss your course selections. Identify at least three concerns you should discuss with your advisor and describe why each is important. Include examples in your response.

Question 40

Imagine that you are a few weeks into your first term and you discover that one of the courses you're taking is too difficult for you. Explain what you would do and why.