THE EXPLORE RESOURCE
What It IS And Who It's For
Key Principles
How To Use It
On-Campus Resources
Case Studies
What it is and who it's for?
Our mission is to provide all St. Olaf students who are searching for a vocation, major, specific competencies, or area(s) of interest with a central resource and continuing support for an intentional and well-rounded exploration of the liberal arts. The program is 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 Necessary Mindset

As an exploring student keep in mind the following:
  • Don't let your education just happen to you, but 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.
How to use it - five things you can do
  • Meet with the Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) to test your interests or talk with a counselor or peer advisor.
  • Meet with your 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:

To use any of the above resources, stop in the CEL or call for an appointment!

Academic Advising Center
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


Case Studies

This section is currently under construction! Check back soon!