Get Involved

Timely Graduation Can Pay Off

HELP YOUR STUDENT GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS

As a parent or family member, one of the goals for your student is likely to see them graduate college in four years. This can drive down the overall cost of college and accelerate your student’s ability to launch a career or attend graduate school. FGCU offers many resources to keep students on track toward a timely graduation. Although you may be offering financial support to your student by paying the bill, graduating in four years will need to be their goal as well to help ensure success. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student about why graduating in four years is important to you. Cheering your student on when challenges arise and offering an encouraging reminder of university resources at the right time can make a major impact.

Encourage your student to take these three steps to help ensure a timely graduation:

} DECLARE A MAJOR DURING THE FIRST YEAR.

Students should utilize resources offered by Career Development Services such MyPlan.com to ensure their interests, skills, and personality are a good match for the major and career they are considering.

} USE ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING

EARLY AND OFTEN.

All first-year students are required to meet with an Academic Advisor during the first year. Though not required in the years following, meeting with an advisor each semester, prior to course registration, is a good habit to build. Missing key prerequisites or deadlines or dropping classes can throw a student off course and ultimately increase costs. Academic advisors can help students map a degree plan and ensure students register for the right classes at the right time. Regular visits to Career Services can help students prepare for the career or further education that awaits them after graduation. Assistance with major selection, resume help, mock interviewing, and connecting students with employers through career and internship fairs are services provided by Career Development Services to help ensure students graduate in a timely manner and have a plan for what comes next.

} TAKE 15 TO FINISH. DO THE MATH.

Most degree programs require 120 credit hours to graduate. A full 15 credit hour load each semester, or an average of 30 credit hours per year, adds up to a 4-year degree. If students are unable to take 15 credit hours each fall and spring semester, the summer semester is a great way to catch up.

Get Involved

While academics are and should be a top priority for FGCU students, what they choose to do outside of the classroom is of equal importance. Getting involved on campus leads to better grades, more college pride, skills that will benefit students after graduation, and a college experience they won’t forget with people that will remain lifelong friends.

} WEEKS OF WELCOME (WOW)

Throughout your student’s first few weeks on campus, we are all very focused on helping them connect with offices and organizations and each other. There will be a full schedule of events from their very own Class Launch Party to the Student Organization Fair to the WoW Carnival (complete with rides) on the Library Lawn and much more. This is a great way to start off the semester.

} REGISTERED STUDENT

ORGANIZATIONS

With more than 250 registered student organization (RSOs), there is something for everyone. Organizations can be major-specific, religious/faith based, political, focused on service, or just for fun.

Encourage your student to visit Eaglelink, their home for all student involvement information, to browse or search for student organizations and events happening on campus.

} FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE

Greek Life at FGCU is focused on scholarship, leadership, community service, and sisterhood/ brotherhood. There are 29 Greek organizations on campus for students to choose from.

We encourage you to take a look at the Parent

Resources from the Office of Fraternity and

Sorority Life to find answers to some common questions.

} STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Just like the federal government, FGCU’s Student Government is organized in three branches – executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has opportunities for students who are elected and appointed. If your student is interested in aspects of government, this can be an excellent way to get involved, and there are even some paid positions.