About the Engineering Advising Center :: Welcome
Welcome to the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Engineering Advising Center located in the main Engineering Building (ENGR) Room 201 (Building #14 on the UAA map at: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/map/ and located East of the Ice Rink/Sports Center).

The Advising Center provides academic services and academic support for students with an interest in engineering, specifically first-year, and second-year students.  Services include academic advising, and career exploration to facilitate student success.  The faculty, professional and peer advisors work together in a collaborative team to help students develop a course of study, that enables them to achieve their academic and personal goals.  Students are provided with support and encouragement in exploring their options and learning to make informed decisions. 

The Engineering Advising Center assists students with :

• Academic Advising for those students with an interest in engineering
• General First Year engineering students
• Second Year engineering students
• Assistance in planning your first-year courses
• Course Registration Information
• Academic Support
• Selecting an Engineering Degree Program

Tips for First-Year Students

• Visit the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Engineering Advising Website
• Strategies for Academic Success:
• Plan your class schedule carefully and do not overload
• Class attendance does correlate with your grade.  GO TO CLASS.
• Take good notes
• Take ten minutes before each class to review your notes from the previous class and preview the pertinent chapter in your textbook. 
• Take ten minutes after each class to "fix up" and review the notes just taken.
• Attend instructor's office hours.  Ask questions!
• Ask for help when you need it.

Time Commitments for First-Year Courses

• Engineering A111 and ENGR A151 are both time intensive courses.  Plan to spend two to three hours each day on these courses.
• Courses with labs, like chemistry and physics, are also time-consuming and you will need to plan 2-3 hours per course of study.

Manage Your Time

• Set goals for yourself; both academic and personal.
• Realistically plan your time.
• Make it a habit: study every day.
• Use a day-planner: make a daily to-do list and keep track of important information.
• Mark your planner! It's up to you to remember due dates for assignments and test dates and times.  Write down deadlines for pass/fail and drop/add. 
• Establish a routine time to study for each class.
• For every hour that you are in class, plan to study a minimum of two to three hours outside class. (Example: 15 credit hours equals 30-45 hours of study time.)

Study Tips

• Do not procrastinate.  Don't fall behind in your studies!
• Use instructor's office hours.
• Location, location, location...find a place that is relatively free of distractions, including cell phones, instant messenger, television, video games, etc.
• Find at least one or two students in each class to study with.
• Join study groups.
• Break large or overwhelming tasks into smaller manageable steps. 

Make use of academic resources on campus:

• Math Lab, Physics Help, Extra tutoring programs, Peer Advisors can also help answer Math questions.
• Reward yourself for completing tasks.  This means noting what you have accomplished even if an entire project is not complete.

Balance Your Life

• Build some time for fun and relaxation in your schedule.
• Get energized and take care of yourself-eat, exercise, sleep.
• Get involved! Join an organization, intramural sports, community service, etc.
• Watch out for credit card debt.
• MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, be a good listener, stick to your own convictions and strive for your dreams!

Remember you are responsible for your own education:

• Keep track of your progress in all your classes.  Calculate and monitor your GPA.  This could impact declaration into departments, internships, scholarships, and graduate school.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Use SOE Peer Advisors; they are a valuable resource.
• Check your mail and wolflink/uaonline daily for important information, including an email from the Enrollment Services or Financial Aid.
• Don't take policy advise from other students, always check with the Advising Center.
• Be responsible for your own education.
• Use available resources to succeed.