First-Year Planning
Planning Your First Year
Your first year at the University is especially important because you can explore directions of study that begin to determine the character and quality of your undergraduate career. This year is not a time for simply checking off requirements! Your first year opens options and sets patterns and choices that carry through your four years. This year will build the framework that determines the scale and proportion of what follows.
The following sections are helpful in planning coursework and a college career that will benefit you the most. Keep your notes and thoughts along the way in a file folder so you can bring them to AARO and to later meetings with your academic adviser. Also, keep track of important paperwork and of your academic interests for future meetings with your academic adviser.
Before you come to meet with us at AARO, please do the following things:
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Take inventory of your interests, talents, and background
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Explore the landscape of SMU: classes, majors, minors, academic support, study abroad programs, pre-professional studies, student activities
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Complete the AARO checklist, including your First Year Profile, AP score evaluation, and placement exam information.
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Plan for your advising appointment and enrollment by looking through the First-Semester Planning section.
**If you are planning beyond initial advising and enrollment use the Four-Year Planning and Semester Planning sections of this site.
