FRESHMAN YEAR
(Defined as 0-29 credits)

As you are aware, the freshman year for a college student is a time of transition. The transition involves adjusting and managing involvement in the multitude of events, groups, sports, and course related activities afforded to college students. These opportunities can be both overwhelming as well as distracting. Students are also experiencing new teaching styles, larger classes, and different degrees of course difficulty.

Mid Semester or Early Warning Grades are good indicators of your student's performance and are normally reported by professors the sixth week of class, typically early October for the Fall semester and early March for the Spring semester. October is also when your student will first experience midterm examinations.  Utilize this time to gauge where your student is on the grade scale in each class by asking specific questions about assignments and performance. Finals week and the preparation for it will be especially daunting for a new freshman; this occurs in the beginning of December for the Fall semester and in the beginning of May for the Spring semester.

ACADEMIC ADVISING
This section is organized by academic year and will include information relating to your student's academic achievement including: resources, programs, and systems with which they should become more familiar. Information about majors, grades and academic advising is included.

POLICIES/PROCEDURES
Within the policies and procedures section is more information about requirements students must meet and procedures which will inform their decision relating to their academic career.

REGISTRATION
Students in the Clark School of Engineering must meet with an academic advisor (either from UA&AS or their departmental advisor) before they may register for courses. This section includes information related to course registration including relevant policies and descriptions of blocks that could prevent your student’s ability to register.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
The Clark School of Engineering and the University of Maryland offer many, many opportunities for students to get involved with and in the campus community. Students can be involved with multiple types of groups at different times but do not have to become involved if they do not wish to be. We recommend that first-year students be careful with the amount of additional activities they take on as they learn more about being a college student. Other than that precaution, the options are limitless!

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