Second-Semester First-Year Students

Review Areas of Interest, Sample Schedules, and More!

To prepare for your second-semester advisement session, and to ensure you get the best possible class schedule for the upcoming semester, you need to read this...

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The First College Year (FCY) facilitates the transition to college by integrating students into the college community as engaged learners and participants in campus life.

How to Prepare for Your Second-Semester Advisement Appointment

All advisement will be conducted remotely. Your advisement appointment will be followed up with an e-mail to you detailing what was discussed. During this mandatory advisement appointment, you will learn about degree requirements and discuss course options for the upcoming semester.

To make the most out of this interaction, it is important that you adequately prepare beforehand and follow the steps below.

How to Prepare for Your Advisement Appointment

Know your major or area of interest.
Review the general education requirements (i.e., Pathways).
Explore major requirements described on the Brooklyn College website.
Explore the degree maps of various majors to gain perspective on what a four-year plan looks like.
If you have not submitted transfer credits or have pending transfer credits, AP/IB, or College Now credits, please e-mail official transcripts and or exam results to the Office of Transfer Evaluations. Be sure to discuss all transfer credit information in your advisement session.

During Your Remote Advisement Session

Be in a quiet place with access to a computer or tablet.
Communicate your major or area of interest. If undecided, let the adviser know.
Inform your adviser of any AP, IB, or college credits taken in high school, as these are often not included in your Transfer Credit Report.
Inform your adviser how you are adjusting to college and how you are doing in your courses.

After Your Advisement Session

Review the e-mail sent from your adviser that details what was discussed. If you have questions, reply to the e-mail.
Make sure your CUNYfirst account is active and working. CUNYfirst allows all students to register for courses, pay bills, manage personal information, file for graduation, and more.
Check your enrollment date in CUNYFirst. You will self-enroll in courses that were discussed and recommended in the e-mail from your adviser once your enrollment day arrives.
Please note that we have reserved courses for first-year students. These courses have an F at the end of the section code. Remember to enroll in a minimum of 15 credits.
Once enrolled, make note of class meeting times and the names of your professors.
You will be able to make schedule changes on your own. Keep in mind the courses that you discussed with the academic adviser. When in doubt, review the e-mail that the adviser sent. You will be able to make changes to your schedule. Be sure to complete your first-year requirements via Blackboard.
Buy a planner or use an electronic calendar. Write down known responsibilities (class times, work schedule, recurring activities, meetings, etc.). Also, check the academic calendar for important dates and closures.

Are you interested in taking a winter or summer class?

For first-year students, taking a winter or summer class is a great way to earn additional credits and fulfill prerequisite requirements for your program of study. (This is especially true for STEM students.) When enrolling in courses for winter or summer, please pay close attention to the section code and the dates that the course meets. First-year students should consult with Financial Aid prior to enrolling in winter or summer classes. If you are interested in enrolling in a summer or winter course, please discuss with your academic adviser.

What is the policy for enrollment and schedule changes?

Unlike your first semester, you will self-enroll in courses for the upcoming semester once your enrollment date has arrived. You can view your enrollment date on CUNYfirst. Remember, we have reserved courses for first-year students. These courses appear in CUNYfirst with an F on the end of the section code. Additionally, you will be able to make schedule changes on your own. Keep in mind the courses that you discussed with the academic adviser. When in doubt, review the e-mail that the adviser sent.

Are you receiving any financial aid?

Did you fill out a FAFSA? Do you expect to receive financial aid or the New York State Excelsior Scholarship? To maintain financial aid eligibility, students must enroll in 12 or more credits per semester. To maintain the Excelsior Scholarship, students must complete at least 30 credits per year.