It is likely that social media is a part of your daily routine and a main way that you stay socially connected to friends and family.

But perhaps you don’t know some of the more unique ways social media can help maximize your overall college experience.  If that’s the case, let us highlight three ways you can use social media as a college student:

Connect with UMBC Offices and Organizations

Many UMBC offices and organizations have their own active social media accounts. You can follow a UMBC office or organization to learn more about the services they provide or exciting opportunities they have for students. And some, like our office, welcome DMs (direct messages) from students regarding any questions or concerns you may have.

Check out some of these UMBC social media accounts:

• UMBC Life
• UMBC Campus Life
• SEB (Student Events Board)
• Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
• Career Center
• UMBC Athletics

Network with potential employers

Whether you are on the hunt for an internship, job, or exploring graduate school opportunities, following the social media accounts of places you’re interested in can tell you a lot about its mission, values, and community. This can give you some insight into whether or not a place would be a good fit for you. Some companies and organizations might even use their social media accounts to advertise employment opportunities.

If you are preparing for an internship or job interview, the information you gather from social media can then be used to show that you’ve done your research and have a working knowledge of the company or organization’s practices and current ventures.

Having a LinkedIn account is a great way to connect with professionals working in the field you are interested in. Using LinkedIn, you can message professionals to set up informational interviews (i.e. - to learn about how they entered into the field or to learn more about their job). You could also use a site like LinkedIn to join interest groups and participate in online discussions related to your field of interest.

Gathering Survey Data/Assistance with Class Assignments

Do you need to conduct research for your class? Whether posting qualitative questions you want students to respond to, or sending out a survey link, social media can help you get responses from a larger group of people in a shorter amount of time – just be sure to check ahead of time to make sure your professor is okay with you using this method to gather information!

Additionally, if a class assignment requires community-based work or research, you can use social media to help you connect and network with local organizations that may be able to assist you.

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Bonus:

Check out this UMBC course!

MCS 355 – Social Media: Networking and Mobility; pre-requisites are MCS 101 or 222 and ENGL 100 or equivalent

This course is designed to encourage students to critically engage with the growing role that social media, online networks, and mobile communication technologies play in their understanding of self and community, sociability and privacy. Students will reflect on the centrality of collaboration, networking, and participation in social media technologies. Assignments and readings will require students to interact with core questions surrounding the emergence of social media and the impact of living increasingly mediated lives. Special attention will be paid to the centrality of writing in a digital world, even as the platforms for composition, editing, and publication have changed. 

Rose Malone is a Study Abroad Advisor in the Study Abroad Office at UMBC (newly located in Administration 301!). As an undergraduate student, Rose studied abroad in London, England and Skibbereen, Ireland. She sat down with us to discuss not only the steps involved with studying abroad, but also the impact the experience can have on a student’s life.

Break it down as easy as you can, what are the steps students need to take if they want to study abroad?

Simply put, if students plan to study abroad they should (in the following order): 
• Attend a Study Abroad 101 session 
• Determine which courses/requirements they still need to fulfill (this can be done through meeting with their academic advisor or a degree audit) 
• Pick out 1-5 study abroad programs from our website that offer the coursework they need 
• Schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad advisor 
• Meet with The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to discuss which scholarships, grants or loans can be applied 

What should students consider when trying to select a study abroad program?

Students should consider: 
• Coursework needs 
• If they want to become more proficient in a language (if so, study abroad where that language is spoken) 
• Do they want to live in a rural area, big city, college town, city campus, warm environment, colder environment? 
• Which type of housing they want (homestay, residence hall, apartment?) 
• What type of credit they can receive (resident or transfer) 
• Level of immersion (i.e.- how much separation do you want from your home culture?) 
• Internship or service learning, etc.

There are so many things to consider, which can seem daunting but there is something for everyone!

Is there an aspect of the study abroad planning process that many students, in retrospect, wish they had spent more time on/focused on?

This is a great question, but hard to answer across the board. I think one aspect that students should spend more time planning is the alignment of their language requirement and their study abroad experience. The best way to learn a language is through immersion, so if you study Spanish at UMBC because it would be useful in a future job, but study abroad in Germany and take one language course, you're probably not going to be proficient in either language. So if you want to put "proficient in Spanish" on your resume, you should probably study abroad somewhere Spanish-speaking! But students can study abroad anywhere they want!

Apart from some of the more well-known or "cliché" reasons to study abroad, why do you think students should make this part of their college experience?

I am not sure most students realize this but only 1 in 10 students nationally study abroad. This means that by studying abroad, you are setting yourself apart from all other graduates. When you walk into an interview for a job or apply for a graduate program, that study abroad experience is an immediate talking point. There are many examples from study abroad that you could use to "describe a time when you worked on a team" or "had to think on your feet.”

Are there any current UMBC study abroad programs you'd like to make a shameless plug for right now?

Yes! Our faculty-led programs for Summer 2019! They are open to all majors and many fulfill major, minor or GEP requirements! Most have a deadline of 2/15 except for our program in Cuba, which has a deadline of 1/31.

Make the most of your summer and apply today: https://goabroad.umbc.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.FeaturedPrograms

If you yourself could study abroad right now, where would you go and why?

There are so many places I haven't been yet that this is a hard question! I think I would want to go somewhere in Asia! I think one of the most undervalued aspects of study abroad is the structure and support that comes along with it. When you go on a program, you have so much more support than if you were traveling as a tourist. I would love to have program support in Asia, somewhere that I don't speak any of the languages, so that I could feel supported and venture out on my own.

Any good stories from your own study abroad experience?

Too many to include here! I think one of the most rewarding moments of my first study abroad experience in London was when a tourist asked me for directions and I was able to give them. That is when I knew I was a "Londoner!" I didn't need to look up tube stop names or landmarks because I knew them!

Holding a student leadership position provides you with an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the UMBC community.

As a student leader, you’ll be able to gain valuable professional experience (that you’ll be able to add to your resume), develop new friendships and make great college memories!

While there are countless ways to get involved in student leadership roles, including holding positions in student organizations, we’d like to highlight some unique “peer advisor” positions on campus that will give you the opportunity to share your experiences and wisdom with new students and students in transition, and play an important role in supporting student success.

Orientation Peer Advisor (OPA) – Be a part of a close-knit team of students who welcome new students and their families to campus during the summer and winter terms during New Student Orientation.

Welcome Week Leaders (Woolies) – As part of the Woolie team you will serve as a resource to all incoming students during Welcome Week, supporting students in their transition to campus and helping them connect to events and upcoming opportunities. Application for 2019 will be available in early March!

IHU Peer Facilitator – IHU Peer Facilitators are an integral part of all Introduction to an Honor’s University (IHU) courses, assisting instructors in course preparation, lesson implementation and serving as a resource to students throughout their time in the course. Application for 2019 will be available in early March!

OAPA Peer Advisor – *Shameless plug for our office, the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising!*

We will be taking applications in late February/March from students interested in helping to staff our front desk, providing informal advising to students, and assisting in the planning and implementation of various office-sponsored events, primarily targeting students who are exploring majors or who are interest in allied health professions.

Undergraduate Admissions A-Team – Do you have an interest in sharing your UMBC spirit with prospective and incoming students? The Office of Undergraduate Admissions has a variety of positions for students interested in promoting UMBC and helping students navigate the admissions process.

Resident Student Association (RSA) – Be a part of a student-run, representative organization that works alongside Residential Life staff to advocate for the needs and well-being of students living on campus, as well as encouraging students to engage in their housing community.

Transfer Student Network (TSN) Leaders – TSN Leaders will assist prospective, incoming, and current transfer students with their transition into UMBC by leading workshops and other programs, and serving as the face of OCSS at the front desk. Application will be available at the end of the semester via UMBC Works!

The end is in sight! If you've earned 90 or more academic credits, you received a message from the Registrar's Office informing you that you are eligible to apply for graduation.

However, eligibility is only the start of the graduation application process. Below are four simple steps you can take now to ensure that you’ll soon be shaking hands with Dr. Hrabowski as you receive your UMBC diploma.

Note: Even if you do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony, you still need to apply to graduate in order to earn your degree.

Step 1: Apply for Graduation!

Friday, February 15^th is the last day undergraduates can apply for May Graduation.

Only those students who have every single requirement needed for degree completion on their spring semester schedules will be permitted to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

If you are taking a course at another institution that you plan to transfer, you must have an approved Verification of Transferability formon file with the Registrar’s Office and be prepared to submit a copy of your schedule.

Step 2: Embrace your degree audit!

Your degree audit indicates your progress toward degree completion. If you see “unsatisfied” items, these are requirements that need to be addressed immediately. Your degree audit is located on myUMBC, under the guide link “Advising and Student Support.”

Makesure any substitutions or waivers of major requirements are documented in your degree audit; you may need to submit a Help/RT ticket to the Registrar’s Office to add these notations to your record.

Step 3: Wrap up any outstanding details ASAP!

If you have Advanced Placement or CLEP scores, transfer transcripts, 201 lever language substitutions, or other items you need to provide to UMBC, delay no longer!  If the major, minor, or certificate program on your record is out of date, or if you have additional majors or minors that you need to remove, submit a new Declaration of Major form.  Any of these items could prevent you from being able to graduate.

Step 4: Let the celebration begin!

Participating in the commencement ceremony* and other celebratory activities on campus is the culmination of all of your hard work. Take time to recognize all it took to get you to this moment and be proud of your accomplishments!

Finally, use this link to check your Honors eligibility.

It’s finally here – Winter Break!

You worked hard this semester and it doesn’t go unrecognized. Now is the time to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation before the spring semester begins.

As you think about how you want to spend this time away from UMBC re-charging, and if binge-watching Netflix just won’t suffice, check out some of the suggestions below:

1.       Eat a good meal! Or two. Or three…

Take a break from your typical college diet and use this time to enjoy some healthy meals. And as a note for when you get back to campus, check out these easy healthy meals you can cook up right in your residential hall!

2.       Catch up on sleep.

Did you pull more all-nighters this past semester than you would like to admit? Now is the time to re-establish some good sleeping habits. No early alarm clocks necessary!

3.       Try out a yoga class to learn some relaxation techniques or another form of exercise -your choice. Even just getting outside for a walk in the fresh air can do wonders!

4.       Visit a graduate or professional school.

Whether you are just starting to think about grad school or are actually working on applications, in-person visits are always informative.

5.       Take a day trip somewhere that you haven’t been or spend an afternoon exploring your hometown. If Maryland is home, here is a list of 100 day trips from Baltimore!

6.       Volunteer in your local community.

The local food bank, animal shelter, or soup kitchen can all be great ways to spend time supporting the community. A quick Google search can help you find hundreds of ways to get involved this January.

7.       Set up an informational interview with a working professional or job shadow for a career you are considering.

Find out what a profession is really like and make connections with people in your future field by conducting an interview unrelated to a job search. Sample question: "What are the most important qualities for an aspiring museum curator/computer scientist/sports psychologist?” Shadowing can help you determine if a profession is really for you! Keep a journal to record notes from these experiences.

8.       Trade in your school textbooks for a book you can read for fun.

9.       Do some light brainstorming for next semester plans.

If you found yourself too overwhelmed and busy last semester, consider what activities you may need to let go of. On the other end, if you feel you had too much time on your hands, consider some clubs or activities you may be able to get involved in this spring.

10.   Take time to re-connect with family and friends.

Spend some time with the elders in your family learning more about your family history and heritage. This discovery about your family roots can be the inspiration you need to keep pushing forward when the going gets tough.

See below for some of the ways the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising’s Peer Advisors are spending their Winter Break:

“Over Winter Break, I will be preparing for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and planning my application process for dental schools. I will also be working at a dental office and shadowing other dentists” –Christine Lee, Biological Sciences

“My plan for the winter break is basically to relax and kick back with friends and family, go the gym, and learn something new regarding my major.” – Michael Unuigbe, Computer Science

The Albin O. Kuhn (AOK) Library and Gallery is a prominent focal point on UMBC’s campus.

With comfy chairs and study rooms, a coffee/snack shop and sweeping campus views (check out the 7th floor!), the library is the perfect place to hunker down as you prepare for final exams and complete end of the semester assignments. Don’t believe us? Ask yourself some of the following questions:

Will your study sessions with classmates likely go into the late hours of the night? Not to worry! The Retriever Learning Center (RLC), located on the main floor of the library, includes a 24-hour group study space equipped with computers, comfortable seating and white boards.

Need some final pointers before your math final or editing suggestions on your last paper? The Math and Science Tutoring Center and Writing Center are also part of the RLC. 

Prefer to study alone in a quieter setting? Fear not! The library has 17 open study rooms that are open on a first-come, first-served basis.

That horrible moment when your laptop dies days before your final paper is due? You're saved! The library has loaner laptops available at the circulation desk.

Need a book for a project or research that our library doesn’t have? The AOK Library is actually connected to a network of other university libraries. Librarians can request materials from another library and have them sent to you free of charge.

And what's studying without a little caffeine or snacks (sweet or savory - your preference)? The new Einstein Bagels is located in the main atrium and ready to serve you when you need a break!

As you prepare for finals week, make sure to check the library website for information on extended hours (select the Library Hours link halfway down the page).

The prospect of graduate or professional school is an exciting one!

As you begin the process of exploring programs of interest, and preparing to submit applications, here are three main points to keep in mind:

Take time to find the right program fit!

When possible, visit the schools/programs that interest you. You’ll have the opportunity to see how the campus is laid out and learn about the surrounding area. Is it in close proximity to things you enjoy? What are the housing options like? What do the labs, studios and/or classroom facilities that you would be learning in look like? Overall, does it seem like the type of environment you will like to spend time in?

You’ll also have the chance to connect with program directors, faculty and current graduate students. You’ll want to consider whether or not the program has a professor who shares your research areas of interest. And meeting current students is especially important if your program will use a “cohort” model – meaning you will work with the same people throughout the duration of the program.

Finally, take time to research class options – some programs will provide more flexible schedule options include evening, weekend or online classes, while other programs may be more traditional and have classes throughout the day.

Graduate programs might require an entrance exam

The majority of graduate and professional programs will require you to complete an entrance exam, similar to taking the SAT or ACT when applying to UMBC. See below for what exam you might be expected to take:

• Dental School: DAT (Dental Admission Test) 
• Business and Management Schools: GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) 
• Master’s and Doctoral Programs: GRE (Graduate Record Examination) *Most common graduate admissions exam* 
• Law School: LSAT (Law School Admission Test) 
• Medical School: MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
• Pharmacy School: PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) 

Letters of Recommendation – ask early and ask people who know you best!

Most applications to graduate or professional school will require you to submit letters of recommendation. Your recommenders should be individuals who know you well, such as a professor who taught you in several courses or serves as your research mentor.

Ideally, you’ll set up a meeting to ask for a recommendation face-to-face, which will help emphasize how important the letter is to you and give you the chance to provide context answer questions your prospective recommender might have.

Allow at least two months prior to the deadline to give your recommenders enough time to complete the recommendation.

See below for some other helpful links as you continue to prepare for your next steps!

The Graduate School at UMBC 

Applying to Graduate Schools via UMBC Career Center