Exploring Resources

The mission of the Center for Experiential Learning is to create and facilitate experiential learning that complements the St. Olaf curriculum to enrich students' academic programs and guide students in the process for pursuing vocational goals. Explore resources are for students with multiple interests, those who are undecided, those who haven't identified interests, those considering a change of major, and those interested in a well-rounded liberal arts perspective.

Key Principles — A Helpful Mindset

• Don't let your education just happen to you, make an intentional and open exploration of your options. Celebrate the journey!

• Don't set your sights on a narrow group of courses or subjects, but consider the type of skills you will need for the future to bring breadth and depth to your areas of interest.

• Be open to an inspiration that will come from an unexpected course, an off-campus experience, or a conversation with peers and faculty.

• Know that there are many ways to achieve the same goal or goals.

• Ask for help when you feel that you are losing direction or need to make difficult choices.

Five Actions for Intentional Exploration

• Visit with the Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) to test your VISA (values, interests, skills, and abilities) or talk with a counselor or peer advisor.

• Meet with your faculty advisor to organize a plan for exploring areas of interest through a variety of classes.

• Meet with the Academic Advising Center (AAC) to help organize long and short-term schedule planning related to your exploration.

• Go to the CEL's Assessing and Exploring Majors interactive website for strategies tailored specifically to where you are in the process of exploring.

• Return to the CEL to plan experiential learning opportunities that complement your coursework.

On-Campus Resources

Center for Experiential Learning
CEL Modular Building, x3268
Seeks to provide students with hands-on experiences that build on their academic program and feed into vocational pursuits after St. Olaf.

Specific CEL resources helpful to exploring students

• Interest and personality assessments and inventories

• Assessing and exploring majors tip sheet

• Assessing and exploring careers tip sheet

• Experiential Learning Planner - helps outline a timeline for experiential learning activities to fit into your years at St. Olaf

• Book library full of resources on interests, majors, and careers
  
  To use any of the above resources, stop in the CEL or call for an appointment.

Academic Advising Center (AAC)
Administration Building 223D & E, x6797
Provides support in exploring academic goals with concerns related to advisers, requirements, and schedule planning.

Specific AAC resources helpful to exploring students

• Schedule planning-helps create flexibility for exploring

• Guidance on requirements for General Education, Majors, Concentrations, and Areas of Emphasis

• Assistance with changing advisors

To use any of the above resources, stop in the AAC or call for an appointment.

Other On-Campus Resources

• Academic Advisor

• Department Chairs and Faculty

• Center for Integrative Studies - Helps combine interests, subject matters, and departments to meet individualized educational goals

• Registrar's Office - Academic Catalog and Departmental Help Sheets

• Academic Support Center - Writing, Math, Time Management & Study Skills

Student Profiles

Click here to see examples of how students have benefitted from CEL programs and services »