SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Click here for the orientation scheldule.

 

 

WHAT TO DO FIRST

Approximately 600 new students will be attending to the same details you are --- so if you can do items 2, 3 & 4 prior to Orientation, it will save you from standing in a line. Most offices will be prepared to help you a few days before the semester begins.

 

1)	Attend the wonderful FP orientation luncheon at Willits Hallowell conference center. We'll meet at the FP house at noon and walk over together.
2)	Pick up your ONE CARD at Central Services Building. This is a photo ID card. It is also your library card, a key to locked buildings, and a meal card for residential students. Your One Card can also function as a debit card at various vending machines, the Blanchard Student Center and the Campus Store. Day Students: When you pick up your card, request that they modify your access so you can get into all the dorms for meetings, etc. Your computer account will be activated when you pick up your One Card.
3)	Pick up your MAILBOX KEY at the Central Services Building. Mailboxes are located in the Blanchard Student Center.
4)	Pick up your PARKING STICKER at the Central Services Building. Day students and residents bringing a vehicle to campus must purchase a parking decal. The sticker will be available after NOON on the day following placement of your order online at: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/dps/pkgforms/stureg.shtml.
5)	Buy your BOOKS. Mount Holyoke has contracted with the Odyssey Bookshop, an independent bookseller located in the Village Commons just across the street from campus. The Odyssey accepts returns during the add-drop period and used books go fast, so it may make sense to purchase books for courses you are interested in and return them for a full refund if you decide not to take the course.
6)	MISCELLANEOUS Library Tours - Offered frequently throughout Orientation and highly recommended. MHCXxpress Account - During the summer you will receive a form from the College giving you an opportunity of open an "Express Account." Depositing funds in an MHCXpress Account allows you to use your One Card in copiers, laundry facilities, the Blanchard Cafe, Dining Centers, and the Odyssey Bookstore. Each of these facilities also accepts cash payment. Lockers in the Sports Center - are assigned at the front desk of the Kendall Sports Center.

 

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WISH I KNEW THAT SOONER

The following are collected bits of knowledge and wisdom about the Mount Holyoke experience that current FPs would like to share with incoming FPs:
Academics

• Avoid 100 levels as much as possible and don't be afraid of the 300 level seminars!

• Read the course catalog! You'll get lots of advice from lots of people, but it is a good idea to always verify information regarding academic policies and requirements.

• The course catalog may not the last word regarding credit for particular courses. For example, good courses that may not be listed as fulfilling a requirement for your major or minor may count with permission of the Department Chair. Additionally, you can sometimes do additional coursework to have a course count at a higher level, which may also help to meet requirements. For example, if a professor is amenable, she/he will specify the additional work required for your 100 level courses to count as a 200 level, or your 200 level to count as a 300 level. The mechanism for getting both these items done is through a signed permission slip, available at the Registrar's Office.

• Study abroad is an option for FPs transferring in up to 48 credits. Don't rule out this fabulous opportunity without speaking to Joanne Picard (jpicard) at the Center for Global Initiatives.

• Lighten your load by taking advantage of the ungraded option. You can take any course that isn't in your major or minor, or is not necessary to meet a distribution, language or multi-cultural requirement on a pass/fail basis. Ungraded courses do not affect your GPA and are a real nice option for focusing on what's really important to you.

• It's important to work with an advisor who understands your goals and needs. If you don't connect with the advisor that is originally assigned to you, make a change! Seek out a professor who makes you feel comfortable, encourages you, and gives you specific advice on how to navigate the system and access resources. Class Deans, Kay & Carolyn are also important advising resources.

• Check out the Five College Certificate programs (in lieu of a minor). Links here.

• There's a lot of money for research and independent study (humanities as well as sciences) but you have to know what you want to do way in advance to meet the application deadlines. Be thinking at least one semester ahead if you plan to do any type of research that requires travel, expenses, etc.
  
  Make an appointment with Katya King (kpking) at the Career Development Center for personal assistance.

Money

• You are not charged for credits above 16 per semester, so if you can manage a 5th course you can reduce the financial cost of your education. When pursuing the 20 credit strategy, make sure you're left with enough credits at the end to maintain your financial aid standing...

• You may audit as many courses as you like, with permission of the professor teaching the course.

• Talbot's (yes, the clothes store) offers scholarships to women returning to college. http://www.talbots.com. Type "scholarship" into the search box.

• It may not be necessary to purchase every book listed on the syllabus. Many professors put the books they will use on reserve in the library, and if only a few chapters are required reading it may make sense to borrow rather than own the book.

• Students sell their books to one another at greatly reduced prices. Check out the newsgroup mhc.forsale to see what's available.

• Used books are available online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Half.com

• Fetch Book.Info compares book prices from 92 stores and 40,000 sellers.

Personal

• Advise your family and friends that your time is limited early in the semester. Really, sit down with them and look them in the eye and tell them schoolwork is a priority. They will see you are serious about your studies and you will feel less guilty about taking time to read and do homework.

• Don't wait for large chunks of time; do your reading/homework whenever you can. Develop a schedule and try to stick with it. Life happens and it is very easy to get behind.

Health Insurance/Health Services

• The health insurance has a pre-existing clause.

• Health services will provide a full array of women's services. The staff physician is conscientious and follows through meticulously, however be advised that she is not an OB/GYN.

Extra Curricular

• To find out about events and opportunities that may not be posted in the formal calendars, contact the department secretary for areas you're interested in and have them add you to their email list.

• Go to on-campus events: lectures, shows, department symposiums. It's a great way to spend time with other FPs and absorb the most out of our experience. Scheduling such events can be difficult, and the temptation to ignore them (because that darn paper is due,) is really easy. Don't. Once a month, put a lecture, movie or performance on your calendar and go. Eventually, you will establish your own rhythm and find those events that fit your desires and needs.

• Consider working at Mount Holyoke over the summer. The money isn’t great, but the experience is! The campus is lovely, everyone is relaxed, and you'll develop wonderful relationships that will make your time here more meaningful. Particularly if you live off-campus, you'll learn about a lot of the hidden treasures that most of the traditional aged students know about.

Upper-class friends are great, but be sure to make friends in your graduating class, otherwise your senior year can be pretty lonely!

 

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