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Making a Four Year Plan

Step 1: Plan Major Requirements

USE THE UCSC COURSE CATALOG

Make a list of the classes required for your major -

  • Identify the courses required for declaration
    • Indicate your quarter of declaration on your plan
  • Lower Division Courses
  • Upper Division Courses (Usually you have options; determine which options you prefer)
  • DC Requirement
  • Research which quarter (F, W, S) classes are offered.  Next to the course title in the Course Catalog is the quarter(s) offered. ex:  1. Introduction to Sociology. F,S
***Use the planning form to plan courses according to when they are offered & in sequence***
***Meet with your major adviser to review your plan***

Step 2: Research an Alternate Major

Just in case, add courses towards an alternate major to your plan:      

Why?

  • If you are not 100% sure of your primary major AND/OR if the requirements to declare require high grades.
  • Taking introductory classes for an alternate major that interests you will -
    • Help you clarify your goals
    • Help you stay on track if you decide your primary major isn't a good fit for you

If your first-choice major is course-intensive or sequential, you may not be able to fit introductory classes for an alternate major into your academic plan -- but keep this in the back of your mind as you plan


Step 3: Add in General Education

  • Note which of the major courses will satisfy General Education (GE) requirements
    •     Use the UCSC Course Catalog - GE codes are listed at the end of a course description
  • Check your Academic Advisement Report to see what GE’s you have left
  • Make space for them in your plan (write in GE)
  • Look to see which courses fulfill which GEs:http://registrar.ucsc.edu/catalog/undergrad-acad/gened.html
  • Check the Course Catalog to see when the one you want is offered

Step 4: Electives and Individualizing Your Education

This part is ENTIRELY UP TO YOU

  • Determine where you have space for education abroad, internships, research with faculty, or UCDC
  • Consider taking more classes in an area of your major that's particularly fascinating to you
  • Consider a minor in a different discipline
  • Consider additional classes that a graduate program might want you to have

 

Step 5: Remaining Flexible

  • Your plans, interests, and goals will change as your clarify your interests
  • Allow your plan to grow and change as you do; they are called ‘plans’, not ‘have-tos’