Request Info
Visit
Apply
While most students aim to graduate in 4 years, your timeline will depend on your own unique circumstances. However long you take to graduate, your goals should be to have an amazing college experience, develop skills that will make you successful in the professional world, and avoid wasting valuable time and resources.
The Basics
- Try to complete a course load of 30 credits each school year. A school year includes the fall semester, the spring semester, and two summer sessions.
- Avoid falling or dropping classes. F’s and Q drops are a waste of your time and money. Do well in every class, and don’t settle for just passing because a C can easily turn into an F. Also, get help as soon as you encounter problems.
- Get advised every semester. Your advisor will be able to help you stay on track with your degree plan.
- Know when courses are offered. You’ll have to plan your schedule around courses that must be taken in a specific sequence and courses that are only offered in certain semesters.
- Coordinate your schedule by taking courses that can count for more than one requirement. Your advisor can help you identify these courses.
- As much as you can, schedule your time to fit around classes rather than work or other activities. Keep in mind that the job you get when you graduate will pay significantly more than the jobs you can get while you’re in school, so put academics first now for a professional pay off later.
The Experience
Success in college is more than just classes and grades, even though these things are extremely important. Stick to your degree plan, but also fill your time in college with other enriching experiences.
- Join clubs or organizations that interest you and take leadership positions when you become an upperclassman.
- Study abroad. SHSU has great programs that will give you an international experience and credit toward your degree plan.
- Get an internship. Don’t graduate without at least one internship to increase your chances of finding a job you want when you graduate. Depending on your major, you can get credit for internships as well.
