Differences between high school and college
True or False...
Professional Academic Advisors and/or Faculty Advisors are responsible for Selecting and Registering Classes for you.
False. You are!
In High School, your Counselor scheduled your Classes. In College, Professional Academic Advisors and Faculty Advisors are here to give you Guidance and help you pick the right Classes. But ultimately, YOU are Tesponsible for your Class Registration.
How many 'Completed Units' are required to Graduate from Sonoma State?
120 Units!
It is the Minimum Units required for Graduation, although a handful of Majors require more Units.
True or False...
When taking a Course with the 'Credit/No Credit' Grade Mode, to earn a Credit, you must earn the equivalent of a C- Grade or better.
True!
Earning the equivalent of a C- or better will give you credit when taking a course for 'Credit/No Credit'.
NOTE: Not all Classes can be taken for Credit/No Credit.
True or False...
The last day of the 'Add/Drop' window for Fall 2025 is Tuesday, 9/2.
True!
'Add/Drop' is period at the beginning of the semester where students can still add and drop courses without a petition.
Changing your total units for the semester can impact your charges and financial aid - so check with an advisor if you make changes!
Myth or Truth
Acclimating doesn't happen immediately. It is Normal for Incoming Students to experience Periods of feeling Homesick.
Truth!
Adapting to a New Environment takes Time, and that is OK. Give yourself 'Grace'. Expect that you will have Highs and Lows.
Do not ignore it or try to endure it alone. Talk to Family, Friends, and Professionals on Campus. Be Open about how you are doing.
"Do not be Afraid to Expand yourself, or to step-out of your Comfort Zone. That is where Joy and Adventure lies."
True or False...
If your Parent/Guardian reaches out to your Professors or Advisors, they can get Information about your Attendance, Grades, and Courses.
False!
In High School, your Parents/Guardians may have been very involved in your Schoolwork and with your Teachers. In College, Advisors and Professors are not able to share Information about your Attendance, Grades, and Courses with those outside of SSU, even Parents/Guardians. UNLESS, you have completed an Authorize to Release Information Form for specific Information and Persons.
What does 'GE' stand for?
General Education
GE is 48 Units and a required part of your University Degree.
True or False...
You need to maintain at least a 1.0 GPA (D average) to stay off Academic Probation.
False!
You must maintain a 2.00 or higher for both your SSU-Only and your Cumulative GPAs, in order to remain in 'Good Academic Standing', and avoid Academic Probation.
True or False...
Registration for the Spring 2026 semester begins in December?
False!
Registration for the Spring 2025 semester starts in November, the Week before Thanksgiving. But we recommend you start to prepare in October.
Myth or Truth
I should utilize my Professors Office Hours, even if I do not have a specific Question or Class Concern.
Truth!
All Professors hold Office Hours. These can be used to Learn more about: Course Material, get Feedback on an Assignment, find Internships or Research Opportunities, explore a Major, Develop a Mentor Relationship, etc.
Take Initiative. Take Ownership of YOUR Learning and Success.
True or False...
If you miss a deadline for an assignment or miss a quiz/test, professors always let you make it up or turn in late work.
False
Not all professors will accept late work or make-up tests/quizzes.
In High School, Teachers may have reminded you about Tests, Deadlines, and Homework. In College, Professors will not always do that.
They will instead give you a Syllabus on the 1st Day of Class. It is YOUR Responsibility to regularly check the Syllabus to stay on-track in the Class.
Which 2 GE Areas are Students REQUIRED to complete in their 1st Year?
English: 1A (English Composition)
Math: 2 (Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning)
True or False...
Students can be disqualified from receiving financial aid based on their grades and/or GPA?
True
Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in order continue receiving financial aid.
Three major components to SAP:
Additionally, there may be specific grade or GPA requirements for grants and scholarships you receive.
When does the FAFSA and Dream Application open for next academic school year (2026-2027)?
10/1/2025
If you receive financial aid, it's important to start working on your application for the next academic year as soon as it opens. Don't wait!
Myth or Truth
It is midway through the semester, I have already declared a major, I can still change my mind and pick a different major.
Truth!
About 30% of those who start College with a Declared Major will change it at least once within their 1st 3 Years.
Do not buy-in to the Idea that everyone else has it 'figured out'. Give yourself Permission to Explore, change your Mind, and Grow.
Being too ridged can limit your openness to different Possibilities. Do not miss-out on Valuable Experiences to learn about YOURSELF.
In college, students can be academically disqualified at the end of each semester, if their GPA goes below a certain threshold. What is the minimum GPA required for freshman to avoid disqualification?
Freshman (0-29 units completed): 1.5
It's important to pay attention to your grades and GPA. If you feel like you need support in your classes, talk to your professor or let an advisor know. There are lots of resources on campus!
Sophomore (30-59 units completed): 1.70
Junior (60-89 units completed): 1.85
Senior (90 or more units completed): 1.95
What tool in your MySSU Student Portal shows your Degree Requirements and tracks your Degree Progress?
Academic Requirements Report (ARR)
What Grade is needed to Pass your Golden 4 GE Areas (1A - English, 1B - Critical Thinking, 1C - Oral Communication, 2 - Math)?
C- or better
If you receive lower than a C- in the golden 4 GE areas, you will not receive any GE credit for the course and will need to retake the class.
When is the Last Day to DROP a Class for a "W" (aka, an Approved Withdrawal and noted on your Transcript)?
Monday, 9/15. (1st Day of the 5th Week of Instruction.)
The Period to DROP a Course for a W, is 9/3 through 9/15. A "W" does not impact your GPA but does count toward 'Units Attempted' for Financial Aid, and it is noted on your Transcript as a 'W'.
After this date, you can only drop a class through an approved petition with a serious and compelling reason.
Myth or Truth
If I am Enrolled Full-Time each Semester, I will graduate in 4 Years.
Myth!
Being 'Full-Time' means being Enrolled in 12+ Units per Semester. But if you only take 12 Units per Semester, you will Average just 24 Units per Year. And it will take you 5 Years to reach 120 Units.
Instead, try Averaging 30 Units per Year. That will take you 4 Years to reach 120 Units - saving you Time and Money.
If you are taking 15 Units in a Semester, how many Hours a Week should you plan to set aside for Schoolwork (Studying, Reading, Homework, etc.)?
30 - 45 Hours per Week.
It is recommended that for each (1) Unit of Class, you should spend 2 - 3 Hours outside of Class on Schoolwork.
In High School, you probably had a pretty similar Schedule every Day. In College, your Schedule will be different each Day and you will likely have a lot of Free Time to manage.
Use a Planner and make sure you build in a few Hours each day to focus on Schoolwork.
How can you tell if a Class is considered 'Lower Division' (usually Freshman/Sophomore Year) or 'Upper Division' (usually Junior/Senior Year)?
Lower Division are Courses numbered 100 - 299 and Upper Division are Courses numbered 300 - 499
What is the GPA (Grade Point Average) needed to make the Deans List?
3.50
Earning a 3.50+ in a Semester will earn you Dean's List Honors for that semester.
When is the Last Day to CHANGE the 'Grade Mode' for a Class?
Monday, 9/15.
(1st Day of the 5th Week of Instruction.)
Myth or Truth
Class Attendance at SSU is 'Optional'.
Myth!
Missing Class means missing-out on Opportunities to improve your Understanding of the Course Material.
Plus, many Courses will Grade on Participation, which requires Attendance. There may in-class work or pop quizzes, and not all Professors will accept Late Work.
And because classes at SSU are often smaller than other Universities, your Instructors and Peers are likely to notice your Absence.