Why Kristin?

You're probably asking yourself, why should I listen to Kristin and not my campus staff and faculty?  Really I'm not asking you to only stop here for advice, but use ALL the people on your campus.  As a person who attended a large public university, there is nothing more important that asking for help from EVERYBODY- staff, faculty, administrators, other students, alumni...  You can read my bio on the side panel, but for over the past decade I have learned from my mistakes and the mistakes of others; advised students of all ages going through similar concerns; and loved almost every moment of my experiences (there are hard times during school).  Since leaving higher education in 2009, I've still taken time to help former students, friends wanting to go back to school, and anyone who is confused on their educational journey.  This is one of my passion.

Lesson One- My biggest advice: Get Documentation.  I don't answer to your institution, so you can't say "Because I learned on a blog this was possible, so that's why you should ...".
What needs to be documented (just a few examples):

• Doctor/Medical/Counseling Appointments (for absences, Disability Offices, and other purposes)
• Approval of Transfer courses or Course Substitutions (if somebody says you can do it, get their signature and contact information; and make sure you asked the RIGHT person)
• E-mails for Exceptions or Approvals (you may need to support why you did something to another person or department chair)
• Receipts of Payment (there can always be errors, so keep track of what you paid for and who assisted you)

Your education is important, but you have a responsibility to make these possibilities a reality.