From the desk of Brian Nelson, Dean of Academics:

February marks the beginning of scheduling planning for the 2015-2016 school year.  As our office is meeting with students to select courses that best fit them, I want to offer a charge and encouragement to you as you begin thinking about next year.

5 Things to Consider When Planning Your Academic Schedule

1. Choose classes to challenge but not overwhelm you.

2. Pick courses that will stretch you as a thinker, refine you as a scholar, and develop you as a leader.

3. Surround yourself with worthy competitors, collaborators, and teachers who will push and empower you.

4. Engage in courses that will build you up.

5. Your curriculum is an important party of the story you will provide to your college of choice – one of ability and work ethic – make  it significant.

If you challenge yourself by following these guidelines, you will be not only a better student, but more importantly, a better person.

Here are two quotes I find encouraging – I hope they will do the same for you!

“Take tough courses and do your best in them.”

– Douglas L. Christiansen, Ph.D. Associate Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at Vanderbilt University

“If you are going to do something, do it well.”

– Jean Jordan, Dean of Admission at Emory University

How has challenging yourself benefited your growth as a person?