Individualized Academic Support Every Step of the Way
What will it be like to take college level coursework? What will I do if I need academic support and I am in a class of 100 other students? What does it mean to really study?
These are just a few of the many questions that buzzed around in my head as I prepared to come to UNH the fall of 2018. I am sure others have wondered the same things. No need to fear though! UNH offers a range of academic resources and programs that can help you find the answers to these questions. By learning about and accessing the Center for Academic Resources, academic advising, and professors’ office hours, I now feel ready to have a successful semester – every semester.
The Center for Academic Resources, or what many know as CFAR, is the place to be if you have questions or concerns about all things studying, time management and adjusting to your new college-level coursework. The office is located upstairs in Smith Hall. At CFAR, all students have the opportunity to work closely with academic mentors to reach their goals. Sometimes talking with a professional can be intimidating, so CFAR offers the option to chat with a peer mentor who is trained to get you to where you need to be.
One of my roommates went to CFAR her freshman year in order to figure out the best way to study for Anatomy & Physiology I. This challenging course is one of many that mentors are prepared to tackle with students. From her meeting, my roommate was able to talk about study strategies and learned how to keep up with the fast pace of the course. Now that I am taking that course this semester, I have gotten to apply the things that she learned to my experience, too. It is also really exciting that CFAR is offering virtual sessions to continue to reach students during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, whether you are looking for some support in person or virtually, CFAR has got your back! To learn more about CFAR, you can follow this link: https://www.unh.edu/cfar
Something I love about UNH is how the entire university welcomes students with open arms. This includes being assigned an academic advisor at orientation. Academic advisors know pretty much everything there is to know about your major, and that is because they are typically faculty members from the major you are choosing to study. My academic advisor is a professor who teaches classes I will be taking my senior year. She is actually the person who introduced me to the concentration and career path I have chosen for my major. UNH students are technically only required to meet with their academic advisor once per semester to make sure your schedule is on track…but, if you are anything like me, you will meet with them much more frequently. From scheduling and counting credits, to finding internships and exploring minors, academic advisors know how to best support the students in academic endeavors.
A super important fact is that even if you come to UNH undeclared (which happens to be our largest major on campus!), you will still be assigned an advisor. The undeclared advisors know how to tailor your schedule to your interests. They help you to explore multiple disciplines during your first two years while also satisfying Discovery Program requirements. Definitely get to know them because they want to know you, too.
Lastly, take advantage of professor office hours! If you have specific questions on class material, office hours should be your first stop. Professors will post these hours online and in their syllabi, and many are willing to meet at another time if needed. My sophomore year I went to office hours for a course I was taking outside of my major. My weekly journal was nearly due and I was not totally confident in what I had done. When I went to office hours, I was so happy to get to introduce myself one on one to the professor, chat about the course and get my questions answered about the assignment.
The academic transition from high school to college is a big deal! However, with these resources at your fingertips, you can feel prepared to take on your first semester confidently.
UNH Center for Academic Resources (CFAR)
Meet our Professors
Explore our Programs
