Spring Break
How to get the most out of URI's resources
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 6/13/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
Summer 2009 - In a large university, like the University of Rhode Island, the opportunities are endless. For instance, if you find yourself developing a hernia from solving math equations and would rather be writing essays on World War II, maybe it's time you stop by professor Marie Schwartz's office. She's the department chair of history.
Or maybe back in high school you played the trumpet, and your music instructor said you were a "natural." It might be time to pick up a second major, a minor or join one of the many bands at URI.
Thought one goal in college is to graduate in four (or six, if you're pharmacy) years, the ultimate goal is to gain life experience. If you're struggling through your years with a major you're just not crazy about, chances are, you're not going to be very happy when you graduate.
Changing your major might be scary, but you should do what makes you happy. Pressure from your parents or professors to stay with something you don't like is difficult to overcome, but the most important person in your college career is YOU.
There are so many places on campus to go for help. The first step is to talk to others in the major or minor you're thinking about, while simultaneously scheduling an appointment with the department's adviser. He or she can assist you in further steps to switch or add majors, and answer any questions that you might have.
In Roosevelt Hall, there's an entire floor full of college academic advising, and the university catalogue of classes (also available online on e-Campus) might be a good bet to see the classes the university offers.
Also, even if you are happy within your major, take a risk and enroll in classes that you have the mildest curiosity about-you never know if a class is going to change your path in life. My second semester of sophomore year, I enrolled in Introduction to Women's Studies on a whim, and now it's my second major.
Not knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life is a common phobia among college students, but discovering where your passions lay is the first step. College is the time to branch out, and as long as you're always working hard-no matter what you're doing-you're always learning.
Or maybe back in high school you played the trumpet, and your music instructor said you were a "natural." It might be time to pick up a second major, a minor or join one of the many bands at URI.
Thought one goal in college is to graduate in four (or six, if you're pharmacy) years, the ultimate goal is to gain life experience. If you're struggling through your years with a major you're just not crazy about, chances are, you're not going to be very happy when you graduate.
Changing your major might be scary, but you should do what makes you happy. Pressure from your parents or professors to stay with something you don't like is difficult to overcome, but the most important person in your college career is YOU.
There are so many places on campus to go for help. The first step is to talk to others in the major or minor you're thinking about, while simultaneously scheduling an appointment with the department's adviser. He or she can assist you in further steps to switch or add majors, and answer any questions that you might have.
In Roosevelt Hall, there's an entire floor full of college academic advising, and the university catalogue of classes (also available online on e-Campus) might be a good bet to see the classes the university offers.
Also, even if you are happy within your major, take a risk and enroll in classes that you have the mildest curiosity about-you never know if a class is going to change your path in life. My second semester of sophomore year, I enrolled in Introduction to Women's Studies on a whim, and now it's my second major.
Not knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life is a common phobia among college students, but discovering where your passions lay is the first step. College is the time to branch out, and as long as you're always working hard-no matter what you're doing-you're always learning.
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