Explorations: A Newsletter to Help Students Find the Right Major is a biannual newsletter for new and undeclared students published by the UCSB College of Letters and Science. The 2008 fall edition features an article by your editor, encouraging undergraduates to consider Geography as a major: “Geography: What is it and why study it?” (full text here). After all, exploration goes hand in hand with Geography.
The publication is one of many tools that the UCSB College Advising Office uses to help undergraduates plan their program; understand requirements, policies, and procedures; assess their progress toward a degree; obtain and submit petitions; and to evaluate their academic options, including choice of major, the College Honors Program, research and awards, and preparation for graduate and professional school (more here). Mary Nisbet, Professor and Acting Dean of Undergraduate Studies, College of Letters & Science, opens the L & S Newsletter by stating: “Welcome to the new academic year! We are very happy that you are studying at UCSB with us this year – either as new freshmen or as returning students. This newsletter is targeted at those students who have either not yet chosen a major or who are already in a major but are unsure that they want to stay in it. If you are in either of these situations you are probably feeling pressure to choose a major so that you can answer the almost inevitable question whenever you tell someone you’re a student at college ‘So what are you majoring in?’ However, I encourage you to take your time and fully explore your options before you decide.” It’s all about exploring…
Article by Bill Norrington
