What are these "deficiencies" you speak of?

Last week Baylor professors studied their gradesheets and identified students whose academic performance has placed them in jeopardy of failing a class. Perhaps you received an email notice that you have missing assignments, low test grades, or poor attendance. Or, maybe you have a friend who finds himself in this situation. What to do? The first, best approach is to go straightway to the professor. See if it is permissible to turn in late assignments. Review your exams to find out where your preparation was inadequate. Ask your professor or an academic mentor to help you plan a strategy for the rest of the semester to get yourself back on track. You can get ideas for a grade recovery plan on the Success Center website, or by dropping by the Academic Support Programs office in the basement of the Sid Richardson Building. And, don't forget that the last day to drop a class with a passing grade assigned is Tuesday, October 20. Beginning on the 21st, all dropped classes will carry a grade of DF and will count into your GPA.

Need to Know Advising Information

Who is Your Academic Advisor?
Your specific advising areas are listed for you. Log into BearWeb – www.baylor.edu/bearweb <http://www.baylor.edu/bearweb> >Student Services and Financial Aid > Advisement > Advisement Contact Information to verify that your major is listed correctly, determine if advising is required, and find your assigned advisor(s). Also, verify that your “educational goal” is correct – premed or any pre-healthcare field, prelaw, etc.

Verify Your Major
It is very important that your major is correct so that your assigned advisor(s) will also be correct. If you need to update your major, go to this link: http://www.baylor.edu/advising > Academic Goals > Changing Majors/Minor/Program and follow the change of major procedures. Call Academic Advisement if you need more information at (254) 710 – 7280. Any time you make a change to your major, minor and/or program, refer to BearWeb again to find your new Advisement Contact Information.

Check Your Program
If you need to add or delete participation in one of the following programs or educational goals, please notify the office where you are directed to change your major:Pre-Dental, Pre-Dental Assistant, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Dental Hygiene, Pre-Medical, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Law.

When do You Register for Spring Classes?
Find your registration date: http://schedule.baylor.edu > Registering for Classes > Current and Returning Students>Early Registration Schedule If you need additional assistance with any of the information above, send an email to Academic_Advisement_Office@baylor.edu.

Baylor Chamber of Commerce

One of the oldest Baylor student organizations is the Chamber of Commerce. This group of dedicated workers maintain some of Baylor's most cherished traditions. In addition to hosting Parents' Weekend, they organize the Homecoming Parade and the spring playday Diadeloso. But the coolest job they have is caring for Baylor's mascots - Judge Joy Reynolds and Judge Sue Sloan - two black bear sisters affectionately referred to as Joy and Lady, who live on campus. Tune in to an interview with Baylor Chamberman Son Pham as he discusses ways to manage time.

Transfer Student Retreat - It's Not Too Late

If you are interested in reserving your spot for the retreat, stop by New Student Programs, fill out a quick reservation form, and pay $15.00 by the end of the day, Wednesday. If there are any additional questions, please contact me Keane_Tarbell@baylor.edu. This will be an opportunity to meet other transfers and find your place at Baylor.

Win a Contest - Be Famous

Facebook, Your Soul, and Liberal Education

Tonight (9/2) at 7 pm in the Alexander Reading Room of the BDSC - Dean Thomas Hibbs is giving a lecture on "The Unlived Life is Not Worth Examining." Dean Hibbs is an enormously engaging speaker - I guarantee you will find his lecture both thought provoking and entertaining. It's another opportunity for you to remind yourself why you came to Baylor, and to affirm that it was, indeed, a great decision.

Baylor Transfer Council

Bowling Kick-off tonight (9/1/09) in the Bear Cave (basement) of the BDSC - FREE bowling for new transfers

Support Group for Transfer Students

Students In Transition (SIT) is a weekly support group for new and transfer students who are just beginning their journey at Baylor. Students will be able to share their struggles and success and to hear how others are coping with finding their way here at Baylor. The group is designed to provide encouragement and support in order to lessen the feelings of isolation so common in this stage of academic endeavors.

Topics include: developing new friendships, coping with homesickness, adjusting to new academic demands, and other topics of mutual interest

Meets: Wednesdays, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Start Date: September 9, 2009

Registration/Screening: Contact Baylor University Counseling Services – 710-2467

Facilitators: Dr. Susan Matlock-Hetzel & Faith Perez

Oh, My! There's lot's happening on campus this week.

If you are not too overwhelmed by the first week of classes, you should check out the Baylor Calendar of Events. Select "All Events" to see everything that's going on. Some events may be restricted, but others will be described as interest meetings. That means, if you are interested, just show up. Organizations holding interest meetings this week include Mock Trial for would-be lawyers, women's volleyball, After Dark auditions, OneBU, Local Missions, and American Medical Student Organization. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Stop by the Student Activities office, first floor of the BDSC (Bill Daniel Student Center) and get more information. You may also see meeting invitations chalked on the sidewalks, so look down every so often as you stroll about the campus.

BU 1000 Meetings for Next Week

Some of the BU 1000 meetings for the week of August 31-September 4 will be held in the Barfield Drawing Room of the Bill Daniel Student Center. BDSC is the building next to the bear pit - across the creek from the bookstore. The Barfield Drawing Room is sometimes described as being located on the main floor of the BDSC - That's really the 2nd floor. If you enter the building via that imposing staircase in the front, you will be headed directly for the drawing room. Back in the day, Baylor's presidents held receptions there as well as elaborate banquets. If you haven't explored the 2nd floor, you should take the time to do so. You will step back into Baylor history as you enjoy the paintings, sculpture, and quaint furniture.

The main attraction for next week's BU 1000 meetings will be Dr. Martha Lou Scott, Associate Vice President and Student Ombudsman. She will speak about Baylor's history and traditions, and remind you why you chose Baylor.

Good Study Habits

Whether you are pre-med, pre-law, or an accounting major, there are certain principles that apply to mastering the knowledge and skills that lead to personal and professional success. When it's all said and done, the key to success is practice, practice, practice. Recent stories about golf greats Tiger Woods and Tom Watson emphasize their work ethic. Each has executed thousands upon thousands of golf swings on the practice course, and both agree that it's not just a matter of practicing the same poor swing over and over, hoping it will get better. Sometimes we students get into the habit of using the same study strategies, over and over, hoping that we will improve over time. When you find yourself in a rut, try following the weekly study cycle. You may find that using the information you are trying to learn in a variety of ways can enhance your understanding and long-term memory.

We're In Count Down Mode

Have you located all your classroom locations? Baylor has an abbreviation for every occasion, and sometimes buildings are referred to by letters that aren't all that intuitive. Not to worry--the online campus map has the locations, but here is a .jpeg with the building codes. Parking is very different when classes begin, so give yourself plenty of time to find a parking place.

Wired at Baylor

You may have already logged into Blackboard, Baylor's class management system. Not all professors use this for their classes; but, when they do, it's very important to check it often - think about looking at Blackboard before you log on to Facebook ;~) -- If you need to know how to get there, just go to Baylor's Home page and look for Online Systems in the left navigation bar.

Baylor’s Electronic Library will conduct Blackboard orientation seminars for students during the first two weeks of classes (August 24-28 and August 31-September 4) on the Garden Level of Moody Memorial Library in Room G32 at Noon, 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. These 50-minute seminars will cover Blackboard basics as well as address specific tasks that often prove difficult for students. Seminar attendance is first-come, first-served, so students do not have to sign up in advance. Each student who completes Blackboard orientation will receive a certificate of completion.

BU 1000 Alert

New transfers who have enrolled in Chapel have also enrolled in a BU 1000 section that will meet weekly for the first six weeks of school. If your schedule says that you have a BU 1000 class meeting on Friday, August 21, don't be alarmed. That is the date for the Welcome Week Dinner for transfers - 7 p.m. in the Stone Room of the Ferrell Center.

Whether or not you are enrolled in BU 1000 - come to the dinner. It will be great fellowship and food (in the best Baylor tradition). If you have questions, email Doriss_Hambrick@baylor.edu. I hope to see you on Friday evening.

Transfer Resources at Baylor

Welcome new Baylor students who are transferring from another college or university! There are about 400 of you beginning classes this fall. I'm sure you want to meet other Baylor students who have been here for awhile; that's a great way to get involved in Baylor activities. However, you will probably want to find other new transfers, as well. Having someone who shares your unique perspective to explore all the possibilities that exist at a new school is often helpful and comforting.

Welcome Week has some great transfer connection events. Don't miss the President's Picnic at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 20 at Burleson Quadrangle. A long-time Baylor tradition, you will meet Dr. David Garland (Baylor's interim president); at the 8 p.m., walk across the street to the Bobo Spiritual Life Center for the Transfer Connection. There you will find out the time and place for the small group meeting to precede the Welcome Week Convocation Friday morning. At 7 p.m. on Friday you can meet Baylor faculty and staff at a dinner hosted in your honor in the Stone Room of the Ferrell Center. It will end in time for you to make the Spirit Rally, also held in Ferrell Center.

Follow this blog to find out what's happening at Baylor and in the Waco community. Feel free to leave your comments as you experience these events and other activities. Words of advice for your fellow transfers will be greatly appreciated.