Tip 1: Assume Nothing

Just because that’s the way it was done at your former institution doesn’t mean it works the same way at Stony Brook. Take time to read the academic policies in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Tip 2: Familiarize Yourself with the Academic Calendar

The University has deadlines for adding and dropping classes, changing course grading options, etc. Always plan ahead so you won’t get caught trying to make changes when it’s too late. You can access the academic calendar under the “Calendars” link on the Registrar's Office homepage.

Tip 3: Make Sure We Have All of Your Transcripts

New transfer students are often accepted to Stony Brook while still completing their final semester at another institution. Request your former institution to send us a copy of your final official transcript (with final grades) for the credits to be posted on your SBU record.

Tip 4: You Have Multiple Academic Advisors; Meet with Them All

Different students will have different advising units for different types of academic advising. Meeting regularly with advisors can help you stay on track for graduation. From general advising, to major advising and pre-professional advising, Stony Brook has you covered! Check out the Academic Resources page to see which advising unit you belong to.

Tip 5: Talk to Faculty

Ever wonder what made your professors decide to work in academia?  How did they choose their field of study?  What exciting research are they doing?  Have questions about the course material? All you have to do is ask.  Go to your instructors’ office hours to ask questions about a class, a career, or just to get to know your professors better.

Tip 6: Ask Questions

You’re new, so nobody expects you to know everything, but we do expect you to make the effort to find out. The University has a full complement of student services to help answer your questions and support your comprehensive learning experience.  A great list of where to get help on-campus is available under the “Where to Get Help” link on the "For Students" webpage.

Tip 7: Get Involved on Campus

Research tells us that involved students are happier and do better academically. Even if you commute and work and don’t have a lot of time to spend on campus extracurricular activities, we’re sure that there is at least one club, one organization, one volunteer experience, one guest lecture, concert or special event that you’d be interested in that you could make time for. Check out SB Engaged to learn more about upcoming events on campus!

Tip 8: Stay Organized

Keeping yourself organized is one of the keys to academic success.  Whether you keep your calendar/planner on your computer, your cell phone, your tablet, or on good old fashioned paper, you must keep one.  Failure to do so may result in missed assignments and forgotten quizzes.

Tip 9: Study Daily

We’re sure you’ve heard that cramming for exams does more harm than good. At Stony Brook, if you fail to put forth a consistent daily effort in all of your courses, it’s easy to fall behind. Prioritize your assignments, budget appropriate amounts of time for study, and consider forming study groups. For every hour you spend in the classroom, you’ll need 1-3 hours of outside of the classroom time for reading and homework assignments. Earning good grades requires a considerable time commitment.

Tip 10: Make Informed Decisions

Be wary of where you get your information. If you take JRN 101, you’ll learn that many news sources have a “slant” or bias to them. The same holds true for the chatter you hear about courses, professors, and policies on campus. Students like to share their opinions with other students, but consider the source when digesting this information. You and your friend may take the same course with the same professor but form very different opinions about the experience. Do your research, consult the appropriate authorities, and form your own opinions.