Office of Student Success
North Foundation Hall Rm 157
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester ,
MI
48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-4480
Fax: (248) 370-4485
studentsuccess@oakland.edu
Second Year Experience
Prepare to Engage with Second Year Experience (SYE). The mission of the SYE program at Oakland University is to facilitate student involvement and continued academic success in second year students as they progress through their degree programs. This is accomplished through professional academic advising and other outreach initiatives that encourage students to participate in targeted engagement areas.
Juretta Bailey-Grajewski
Student Success Coordinator
248-370-4483
baileygrajewski@oakland.edu
Step 1: Fall Academic Advising
Schedule an appointment during the Fall semester, ideally in September or October. Don’t know who your Academic Adviser is? Look on mySail to see who your Academic Adviser is or go to the find my Academic Adviser webpage.
At this appointment, you and your Academic Adviser will discuss several topics:
- Your major: How do you know you’re in a major that is the right fit for you?
- Your classes: Are you taking the correct classes for your major?
- Your academic performance: Are you living up to your own expectations in the classroom?
- Your opportunities: Are you aware of all the things you can do on campus?
As a bonus, you’ll also get an OU t-shirt for coming in to see your Academic Adviser (while supplies last of course, so don’t put off seeing your Academic Adviser)!
Step 2: Engagement
As part of the Second Year Experience, you will be expected to participate in at least two engagement opportunities throughout the year. Your Academic Adviser will talk with you about these areas of engagement:
- Major info sessions
- Major expos
- Group advising
- Job shadowing
- Department hosted event or lecture
- Academic student organization
- Meeting with faculty/program adviser
- Attending an academic workshop
- Major specific research
- Internship or co-op
- Career fair/internship mixer
- Visiting an on-campus recruiter
- Social student organization
- Leadership & volunteer work
- Sporting events
- Performance events
- Going to the Recreation Center
- Attending cooking demonstrations
- Intramural Sports
- Wellness student organizations
Step 3: Winter Academic Advising
In your Winter semester academic advising appointment, you’ll review those engagement opportunities from Step 2. The primary goal of your Academic Adviser is to ensure you are on the right path for your major, on track with your courses, and engaged on campus.
In addition to these things, your Academic Adviser will help you plan out next year’s course schedule. To be prepared for full-year registration, meet with your Academic Adviser before mid-March.
Step 4: Prepare for Your Third Year
It's time to prepare for your third year at Oakland University! Two main items to complete are full-year registration and ensure you have engaged in your major.
1. Full year registration happens every year in late March and/or early April. Ideally, you should meet with your Academic Adviser and create a plan before that time. Register the first day registration opens for you so that you have the best selection of courses. Upper level classes tend to be smaller and fill up quicker, so you may risk not getting into a class you really need if you don’t register on time.
2. Have you gained experiences in your major that will either lead to a job after graduation or help you get accepted into graduate school? If yes, keep up the great work and continue what you are doing. If no, take action and talk to your Academic Adviser about your next best steps.