Student Milestones

Follow the Centers for Learning, Advising, and Student Success step-by-step guide to meeting your academic milestones.

  • Attend Convocation activities as a first step in becoming a part of the UMass Lowell community.

    Identify your faculty adviser and his/her office location, phone number, e-mail address and office hours. 

    Within the first month, make an appointment with your faculty adviser to introduce yourself and discuss your current and future academic and career goals.

    Become familiar with the Core Curriculum for your major and determine which courses fulfill these requirements, including diversity and ethics. Learn the professional courses and free electives that are needed to fulfill your academic requirements.

    Identify key academic and social resources available on campus to assist your academic success, such as the Centers for Learning and Academic Support Services, Honors College, Office of Disabilities Services, Counseling Services, Student Activities, Health Services, Career Services & Cooperative Education Services, and Multicultural Affairs.

    Contact CLASS to schedule a Time Management or a Study Strategies session with an adviser to refine your skills.

    By the end of your first year, strive to master the academic tools that the University provides such as the Advisement Report and SIS.

  • Create an academic plan that integrates experiential learning such as a practicum, internship and/or Study Abroad experience.

    Develop strategies to expand your educational experience to include a minor, double major, summer experiences, research projects, service learning or campus leaderships.

    If you have not decided on a major or are contemplating a change, make an appointment with an adviser at CLASS to investigate the requirements of the major of interest.

    It is important to start thinking about the connection between your education and a potential career. Valuable resources include faculty and the Career Services & Cooperative Education Center.

    Continue to maintain consistent contact with your Academic Adviser. 

    Review your official Advisement Report in SIS to ensure you are taking the courses needed to graduate.

  • Begin thinking about Graduate School opportunities and meet with an adviser on campus to find out about entrance requirements and exams. Contact the Centers to inquire about graduate preparation workshops.

    Consider a Plus-1 Graduate Program to see if it is appropriate for you. Meet with a Graduate Coordinator to understand Graduate Admissions requirements.

    Talk to faculty for letters of recommendation for graduate school and/or job opportunities.

    Speak with professors to explore Undergraduate Research Opportunities on campus.

    Review your degree progress with your Academic Adviser to make sure you are on track for graduation.

  • Apply for graduation by meeting with your faculty adviser to file your Declaration of Intent to Graduate Form. 

    Maintain communication with your faculty adviser to discuss post-graduation plans. If appropriate, meet with a specialized advisor (pre-med, pre-law) to finalize plans for graduate study.

    Meet with faculty members and others to secure letters of recommendation.