• Keep balance in your life. Your last two years at JHU will be memorable in many ways. Continue to fine-tune the balance of your academic life, social life, research, internships, and work. Be quick to ask for help, should you feel unbalanced or pulled in one particular direction.
• Plan an internship or research experience. Experience outside the classroom is critical for your future career and academic paths. Begin your internship search with the Life Design Lab. Begin your research search with your faculty advisor, department director of undergraduate studies, or any faculty member with whom you have a great relationship.

Early Fall (September)

• Review your academic plan for the next two years. Verify that you will be able to complete your graduation requirements in the next two years.
• Review your GPA. If you’d like to turn around your GPA around, now is the time. You do not necessarily have to repeat courses to do so. Discuss strategy with an academic advisor.
• Ensure that your major and minor are listed correctly in SIS. Majors and minors must be declared in SIS. You may add a second major or minor, but second majors or minors should not limit your desired course selection. If you’ve enjoyed taking courses in another field of study and have been successful in these courses, then adding an additional major or minor might be right for you. Discuss your options with the Office of Academic Advising or meet with the director of undergraduate studies in that field. Future employers are only interested in your skills, not whether you have a particular major or minor. You only need one major to graduate.
• Cope with changing plans. It’s okay if you need to change your major or pre-med plans. Discuss your options with the Office of Pre-Professional Advising or Office of Academic Advising.
• Know important dates, deadlines, and policies. Know the deadlines to add, drop, withdraw, or change to S/U grading.
• Study abroad. Study abroad application deadlines for intersession or spring programs are very early in the fall semester, and summer deadlines are in the spring semester. Visit the Office of Study Abroad and schedule a meeting with a study abroad advisor to discuss all options.
• Take on a leadership position in a campus activity or student organization.

Mid Fall (October)

• Build references. Get to know your faculty advisor, professors, university and community leaders, etc.
• Embrace your major. During your fall meeting with your faculty advisor, discuss whether you should peruse honors in your major and how to get the most out of your major experience.
• Listen to your instincts. Your instincts will help you know if and when you need to drop, withdraw, or S/U a course. They will also tell you when it’s time to ask for help.
• Handle stress. If you begin to experience stress, anxiety, or any cause for concern, meet with an academic advisor or stop by the Counseling Center at 3003 N. Charles Street, Suite S-200. In times of academic stress, you may need to further develop your study techniques. In times of emotional stress, you can learn effective techniques to cope better.

• Take an intersession course. You may still register if it hasn’t already started.
• Look for internships. Visit the Life Design Lab to understand what services they provide.

• Complete your pre-graduation check in early March. It is critical that you review your degree audit with both your major and minor faculty advisors and apply to graduate. You must complete the junior clearance process before fall registration or you won’t be able to register.
• Take summer courses if needed. After completing junior clearance, you will know if summer courses are necessary. Check the JHU Summer website to see if what you need is offered at JHU. If it is not offered at JHU and you would like to take it at another institution you will need approval to do so. Approval is needed prior to your taking the course if you want the credit to be transferred to JHU. Instructions for the approval process can be found from our Transfer Courses webpage. Click on the link provided under the “Current Undergraduates” header.
• Make plans for after graduation. Talk to the Life Design Lab about possible career paths, or talk to the Office of Pre-Professional Advising about medical or law school options. If you’re considering graduate school, talk to faculty in that field.