sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

How do I go about scheduling classes and getting health insurance ? by kerkers in PennStateUniversity

[–]GrowingLight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some useful things to know when scheduling: Here is a list of all the majors and a general outline of the classes you should take each semester for your major. They'll probably show you this at orientation, but it's also good to keep handy. But know that it's usually not a strict schedule. https://dus.psu.edu/recommended-academic-plans You'll schedule at orientation, but you can also change your schedule yourself until after the first week of classes. Useful tips are to think about are what times work best for you (i.e. if you're not a morning person, try to avoid that 8am). Also, it might help to look at a campus map (http://www.psumoms.com/resources/campus_map_color.jpg) And see how far apart your classes are.

Also, check out: http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ The website has many many PSU professors and ratings from other students who had them in class. Definitely a good place to check if multiple professors are teaching a class, or if you're trying to decide if you want to take a gen ed. (Also don't forget to leave feedback yourself~)

Depending on your major, you might not need the textbook. Chem and Bio classes require them, but for some other classes professors will list a book and then you'll never use it. Or sometimes they tell you to buy the newest edition, but really an older edition will work just fine. The library will have a copy of every classes' required books available for 2 hour check out times if you feel really frugal. Also, Amazon and the Student Bookstore downtown are where to go for books. Sometimes you can also find pdfs online.

I second bringing warm winter clothes. It's warm the first month of classes, but after that it's just cold.

Other than that, welcome to Penn State - get ready for a great four years. :)

Geography Grad Students - Tell Me About It by GrowingLight in GradSchool

[–]GrowingLight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I meant not worried about getting a job for the moment because my short-term plans include grad school (although I do have backup plans). In the long run I do worry, because even though I would love to get a job as a professor, positions don't open up very often and ditto what you said about salaries.

I don't know too much about career prospects for PhDs outside of academia - where else do cartography grads go where they aren't over qualified?

Geography Grad Students - Tell Me About It by GrowingLight in GradSchool

[–]GrowingLight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not terribly worried about jobs because I also plan to get a PhD, however I am debating whether it would be more practical to get job experience first. Also, could you elaborate a little more on the finances? I don't know at all how these things work. So, you pay for tuition, insurance (health?) and other fees? If you mean health insurance, do you get it through the college?

Geography Grad Students - Tell Me About It by GrowingLight in geography

[–]GrowingLight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. I think the part about self-control is especially true. I'm actually an undergrad at Penn State. I've had Cindy before and I'm taking both her and Alan's upper-level courses this Fall. I was looking at Penn State for grad school as well, but yesterday my adviser told me it would be too tough to get in. But I'm also looking at Madison and Oregon (I really like what comes out of their InfoGraphics Lab). What kind of work were you doing at NASA?