Annual Success Checklists

These monthly checklists have been developed to help you remember the general timeline of events that may impact you. They do not include exact dates, so please consult the official academic calendar and your course syllabi in conjunction with these lists. These checklists are not comprehensive. These checklists have been developed to reflect general times lines of regular term courses, but do not include Maymester or summer courses.

Monthly Checklists

If you are wondering what you are supposed to be doing and when, these checklists may be a helpful tool in ensuring you are on track to graduate.
  • Freshman Year Checklist

    Spring/Summer:

    • Housing application for on-campus housing will open. Watch for emails from Housing for exact dates.
    • Begin looking for a roommate or opt to have a roommate randomly selected

    Summer:

    • Attend Freshman Orientation. Orientation sessions usually run from June-August.
    • Register for classes at orientation.
    • Watch for instructions from Housing about on-campus resident move in.

    August

    • Move into your Residence Hall, unpack, and nest.
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • New Student Convocation
    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is and how long it will take you to get there.
    • Fall semester begins
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner

    September

    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing
    • If you havent already, consider a study abroad trip. You can meet with the Center for International Education to review options, costs, and benefits. 

    October

    • FAFSA opens for next school year
    • Midterms will take place near October. Please consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Spring courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    November

    • Keep up with classwork and assignments.
    • Relax and re-charge during Thanksgiving Break

    December

    • Check to ensure you are registered for classes next semester
    • Reading day and final exams
    • Residence Halls close
    • Relax and re-charge during winter break!
    • Fall Commencement for graduating students

    January

    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • Spring Semester classes begin
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner.

    February

    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing
    • Begin thinking about your living arrangements for summer and fall. Remember, only freshman are guaranteed on-campus housing. You will need to start conversations with potential roommates, talk with caregivers and financial aid about financial support, and begin looking for somewhere to live.

    March

    • Relax and re-charge during Spring Break
    • Midterms will take place near March. Consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Summer and Fall courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    April

    • Reading day and Spring semester final exams
    • Spring semester courses end
    • Pack and move out of Residence Hall. Housing and ResLife will send more details about move out.

    May

    • Final Grades from Spring semester will be posted
    • Spring Commencement for graduating students

    June

    • FAFSA deadline for next academic year

     

     

  • Sophomore Year Checklist

    August

    • Move into your residence, unpack, and nest.
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is and how long it will take you to get there.
    • Fall semester begins
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner
    • You must declare a major yy the end of your sophomore year, start thinking about your interests and exploring majors if you have not already.

    September

    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing
    • If you havent already, consider a study abroad trip. You can meet with the Center for International Education to review options, costs, and benefits. 

    October

    • FAFSA opens for next school year
    • Midterms will take place near October. Please consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Spring courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    November

    • Keep up with classwork and assignments.
    • Relax and re-charge during Thanksgiving Break

    December

    • Check to ensure you are registered for classes next semester
    • Reading day and final exams
    • Residence Halls close
    • Relax and re-charge during winter break!
    • Fall Commencement for graduating students

    January

    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • Spring Semester classes begin
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner.

    February

    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing
    • Begin thinking about your living arrangements for summer and fall. Remember, only freshman are guaranteed on-campus housing. You will need to start conversations with potential roommates, talk with caregivers and financial aid about financial support, and begin looking for somewhere to live.

    March

    • Relax and re-charge during Spring Break
    • Midterms will take place near March. Consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Summer and Fall courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    April

    • Reading day and Spring semester final exams
    • Spring semester courses end
    • As your sophomore year comes to an end, please remeber that you must declare your major very soon. You should consider meeting with your advisor if you have not already declared a major. 

    May

    • Final Grades from Spring semester will be posted
    • Spring Commencement for graduating students

    June

    • FAFSA deadline for next academic year
  • Junior Year Checklist

    August

    • Move into your residence, unpack, and nest.
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is and how long it will take you to get there.
    • Fall semester begins
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner

    September

    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing

    October

    • FAFSA opens for next school year
    • Midterms will take place near October. Please consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Spring courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    November

    • Keep up with classwork and assignments.
    • Relax and re-charge during Thanksgiving Break

    December

    • Check to ensure you are registered for classes next semester
    • Reading day and final exams
    • Residence Halls close
    • Relax and re-charge during winter break!
    • Fall Commencement for graduating students

    January

    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • Spring Semester classes begin
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner.

    February

    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing
    • Begin thinking about your living arrangements for summer and fall. Remember, only freshman are guaranteed on-campus housing. You will need to start conversations with potential roommates, talk with caregivers and financial aid about financial support, and begin looking for somewhere to live.

    March

    • Relax and re-charge during Spring Break
    • Midterms will take place near March. Consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Summer and Fall courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    April

    • Reading day and Spring semester final exams
    • Spring semester courses end
    • Meet with the Career Center to review options for careers after graduation and what those career tracks entail
    • Begin to consider if you would like to attend graduate school and start researching options

    May

    • Final Grades from Spring semester will be posted
    • Spring Commencement for graduating students

    June

    • FAFSA deadline for next academic year
  • Senior Year Checklist

    August

    • Move into your residence, unpack, and nest.
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is and how long it will take you to get there.
    • Fall semester begins
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner
    • If you plan to attend graduate school, now is a good time to start looking at and completing the applications for schools you are interested in. 

    September

    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing
    • If you plan to graduate in the Winter commencement, graduation applications will be due near the end of September. Exact deadline can be found in the academic calendar.

    October

    • FAFSA opens for next school year
    • Midterms will take place near October. Please consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Spring courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    November

    • Keep up with classwork and assignments.
    • November is the application deadline for many graudate programs. This will vary by institute, but double check to ensure you are aware of deadlines. 
    • Relax and re-charge during Thanksgiving Break

    December

    • Check to ensure you are registered for classes next semester
    • Reading day and final exams
    • Residence Halls close
    • Relax and re-charge during winter break!
    • Fall Commencement for graduating students

    January

    • Before your first day of classes, walk to each classroom to ensure you know where it is
    • Get your textbooks! Opt out of Cougar Complete if you do not wish to take advantage of the Cougar Complete book pricing.
    • Spring Semester classes begin
    • Add drop period will last for approximately the first week of classes. You can change your schedule and course load as needed during this time. Please consult with your academic advisor and the treasurer as needed.
    • Write down all of your assignments, tests, and deadlines in your planner.
    • Complete your application to graduate if you plan to graduate in May. Applications are usually due the very first week of February to avoid a late fee. Exact application deadlines can be found in the academic calendar. 

    February

    • Spring Commencement applications due
    • Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review your academic progress and academic standing
    • Begin thinking about your living arrangements for summer and fall. Remember, only freshman are guaranteed on-campus housing. You will need to start conversations with potential roommates, talk with caregivers and financial aid about financial support, and begin looking for somewhere to live.

    March

    • Relax and re-charge during Spring Break
    • Midterms will take place near March. Consult your syllabi for exact dates of midterms in each of your courses.
    • Withdrawal deadline for Full semester courses will be this month. Check the academic calendar for the exact date. Review your midterm grades and consult with your academic advisor to determine if you should withdraw from any courses.
    • Registration for Summer and Fall courses will open this month. Registration timelines are based on credit hours earned (the more credits you have earned, the sooner you will be able to register). Take this opportunity to also check for any holds on your account preventing registration.

    April

    • Reading day and Spring semester final exams
    • Spring semester courses end

    May

    • Final Grades from Spring semester will be posted
    • Spring Commencement for graduating students

    June

    • FAFSA deadline for next academic year