Start with the perspective the YOU are in charge of your life; while an advisor or counselor can help you, they should not be expected to make decisions for you or do work that is yours. Come to advisement sessions prepared: Rough out possible schedules and formulate questions before you meet with your advisors.

 Design a second-semester schedule that builds a foundation for your next three years of learning: sampling introductory courses and take basic university requirement courses.

 Honestly assess your skills in writing, speaking , computing, and thinking and take courses that will improve your weaker skills.

 Begin to think about a secondary concentration. Do some shopping by taking the first course required in candidate secondary concentrations.

 Avoid bitting off more than you can chew: don't take an 18 hour schedule if it has hard courses nested in it; don't do the BS program if you really are not capable to do well in courses like calculus and biochemistry; drop the BS program if it is not relevant to your career goals.

 At the first sign of trouble, talk to your advisor; consider going to the TLC to get advise on better ways to study and learn. Work smarter and harder. Ask your peer mentor how he or she survived as a freshman.

 Bond: Weave yourself into this new community called St. Bonaventure University. Join clubs, participate in intramural sports, make new friends, and talk with your professors after class.

 Get serious: Become familiar with the course catalogue. Learn about university, school, and departmental requirements. Know the school's policies on grading. Pursue the course the course offerings of departments and programs outside your major. Look at what the Honor's Program has to offer. Is the 5-year BA-MA program for you?