So you got off to a rough start. It happens to the best of us. But a rough start doesn’t have to be your undoing. If you find yourself partway through the semester wondering how the semester got so out of hand, here are some guidelines to help you turn things around. 

Once you realize you need to get back on track the First thing you’ll want to do is get organized. Gather the syllabi for all of your classes, plus any other schedules that you need (e.g. your work schedule, or if you play a team sport, the schedule for your games and practices for the rest of the semester). go through each calendar and syllabus and add important dates to your personal calendar. For most students, an app like Google Calendar works well, but others may prefer an actual physical calendar or a planner. Make sure to note all of your exams, deadlines for projects and papers, and due dates for anything else that could affect your grade. Make sure you also include personal events (like birthday parties or other social events you plan to attend) on the calendar, because you need to take these things into account when you plan your studying. Otherwise, you may continue pushing off your studies when fun events pop up. 

Once you have everything in your calendar, your second step is to prioritize. To help you prioritize, we suggest checking your grades in all of your classes. In most cases, you should be able to do this online or by looking back at the grades you received on assignments and exams that have been handed back to you. With an awareness of your grades in mind, you can figure out if you’re struggling equally in all of your classes or if you are only having trouble in one or two. 

In addition to your current grade, you also need to consider how much of your grade is already set. Some classes have many of the graded assignments loaded in the second half of the semester, so even though you might be almost halfway through the course, you might still have 70% of your grade left to earn. Other classes heavily weigh midterms or papers due early in the course. If you only have a few assignments left to turn in, you will need to excel on those in order to pull your grade up. additionally, consider the grade that you need (or want) to get in each course. Often, you need better grades in courses that count toward your major than you do for general elective courses. If that is the case, you may need to prioritize the work for your major classes over work for your other classes. It may help to use a grade calculator like this one in order to determine what you need to earn on remaining assignments to get the grade you want.

Now that you have gone through your calendar and syllabi, you should have a good idea of what you need to do going forward. Maybe the situation isn’t as bad as you thought, or perhaps you have found that you are really in dire straits in one or more of your courses. If you find yourself in the second situation, pour yourself another cup of coffee (or crack open another Red Bull) because you have some more things to think about. If you are failing a class and at the moment it seems mathematically impossible to pass or to achieve the grade you need, the first thing you need to do is to thoroughly read through your syllabus. You may notice something you overlooked before – such as a section about extra credit opportunities. If the syllabus doesn’t mention extra credit, it’s time to visit your professor’s office hours (which should be conveniently listed on your syllabus). You only need to visit office hours if you are struggling to figure out how to pass the class on your own. If you know that you just need to study more and party less and it’s well within your ability to succeed in the class, a visit to office hours is likely unnecessary.

Here are some tips for discussing your grade with your professor during office hours. Note: A face-to-face visit is preferable, but if you can’t make it to office hours, send an email. Most of the tips below apply to email as well. In addition, make sure you proofread (or have a friend proofread) for clarity and typos:

• Read the syllabus before you go. Professors HATE when you don’t read the syllabus, and when you sit in their office hours and ask them questions that are very clearly answered in the syllabus, it makes them annoyed. You want the professor on your side, so you should show that you are trying by being familiar with the syllabus.  Also, the syllabus is your guide to how to succeed in the class, so you should read it anyway.
• Use basic etiquette. Unless your professor has explicitly told you to call them by their first name, refer to them as Professor Last Name, or if they have a doctorate, Dr. Last Name. If you’re not sure, stick with Professor – that’s always okay. In addition, make sure your phone is on silent and abstain from looking at your phone while in their office. 
• Be honest. Professors hear mountains of excuses about bad grades. Do not invent an excuse to explain your poor performance in the classroom. If there is something going on in your life that genuinely relates to your academic performance (e.g. you are caring for a sick parent, or you are struggling with a mental health condition), you can bring that up to your professor if you feel comfortable doing so. If the reason for your poor performance is that you have been spending a lot of time partying, it’s better to say something vague like, “I am not pleased with my performance in this class so far. I am trying to turn things around academically, and I wanted to talk to you about study strategies and other ways to improve my grade.” Whatever you say,  stick to the truth. Your professors are human beings and they dislike being lied to just like you do.
• Take responsibility. You might think that the class is hard or confusing, but at the end of the day, you are the one responsible for your grade. Professors will likely be more receptive and willing to help if you take ownership of your grade rather than accusing them of high expectations or overly rigorous standards.
• Write down notes. If your professor is sitting across the desk, rattling off a list of resources you can use to improve your grade, write them down. This accomplishes two goals – it gives you a written record so you can remember their useful advice later on, and it shows your professor that you are listening and trying to improve.
• Emphasize that you have a plan to improve on future assignments (e.g. “I have joined a study group for this class,” or “I blocked off some time to study 30 minutes every day.”) and then ask about extra credit. If the syllabus explicitly mentioned that you can’t get extra credit in the class, address that to show that you did read the syllabus (e.g. “I know from the syllabus that you don’t typically offer extra credit, but I was wondering if you make any exceptions.”)
• Thank your professor for their time at the end of the meeting. An even better way to show your gratitude is to actually follow through on the suggestions they gave you. If they advised you to visit the Writing Center before turning in your next paper, actually do that. 

After you’ve visited your professor, you will know if it’s mathematically possible to pull your grade up. If you are certainly going to fail, you could look into withdrawing from the class, which will leave you with a W instead of an F on your transcripts. However, before you do that, you need to talk to the registrar about how that would affect you – some financial aid only goes to full-time students, so withdrawing to less than a full course load could impact your financial aid. 

Even if you are nearly positive you’re going to fail, it can be a good idea to keep going to class and giving it your all. It’s possible that if you get close to passing, your professor might have mercy and round up or offer you extra credit. But even if that doesn’t happen, you might have to take the class again in the future, and the best way to pass it next time is to learn everything you can the first time around. After all, you’ve already paid for it!

If it is mathematically possible to get your grades to where they need to be, now you have to actually do the work. If you’ve been slacking and just need to step it up, it’s a good idea to schedule your study time. Mark it out on your calendar and actually stick to it. Go somewhere conducive to studying, like the library or a coffee shop. You might be the type of person who has a hard time focusing without getting distracted by things like social media. If that’s the case, consider trying an app like AppBlock, which blocks certain apps and their accompanying notifications (like those from Instagram and Facebook) for a set period of time so you won’t be tempted to wander. It may also be helpful to structure your studying or writing using the Pomodoro Technique, which basically requires short periods (~25 minutes) of focused work, punctuated by shorter breaks. 

You also need to think about how you got here. Ask yourself why your semester got derailed. You might have to do some soul-searching to get to the bottom of it, but this is an important step. If you don’t know why you’re having trouble in the first place, it will be hard to avoid having trouble in the future. You need to address the underlying problem. If there’s something in your life causing you stress, think about how you might mitigate that stress. Are you getting sick a lot and missing classes? That can easily result in falling behind. If that’s the case, try to tweak your lifestyle a little – get more sleep, get some exercise, and eat more fruits and vegetables. If you’re having mental health challenges, talk to a therapist – many colleges offer this service to their students for free or at a reduced cost. If you know you’ve been spending too much time socializing or partying, recognize that you are going to have to cut back so that you can get your degree. Try to deal directly with the problem getting in the way of your academic success.

It’s important to have fun in college, but make sure to take the time you need to study.

When you fall behind early in the semester, sometimes it can be hard to catch back up because the material builds on itself gradually. This is especially common in math and science courses – you can’t understand a polymerase chain reaction without first understanding a nucleotide, for example. When you find yourself continuing to have trouble despite increased and consistent studying efforts, it’s wise to ask for help. See if you can join a study group, visit your campus’s Tutoring Center or hire an online tutor, or write down the things that are confusing you and go to your Teaching Assistant’s or professor’s office hours. Read this article for more ideas on how to utilize campus and other resources to help you succeed.

Just because your semester got off to a rocky start doesn’t mean you have to end it the same way. With some planning and more time hitting the books, you can get your academic life back on track. Good luck!

This article was written by BookScouter contributor Crystal Koenig.

Crystal Koenig is a freelance writer and adjunct college instructor based in Southern Utah. She holds a PhD from Washington University in St. Louis.

Taking a college tour is an excellent way to see if a college is a good fit for you. The standard tours are helpful for getting an idea of the campus’s hot spots. But if you’re savvy, you can get more out of your tour by following these tips: 

1. Schedule your visit during the school year. 

If possible, schedule your tour during the regular academic year, at a time when school is in session. Campuses have a very different vibe when the students are present. You want to get a feel for what the school will be like if you attend it, and it’s hard to know what it’s like if you visit during the summer when the campus may be used for other purposes like youth soccer camps. You can look at a school’s website for their academic calendar to ensure that you do not visit on a school holiday. Do not assume that college will be in session at the same time as high school – colleges have different breaks (e.g. often a four-day “Fall Break” in October) and don’t always follow public holiday schedules. You can also call the campus to see the best times they suggest visiting.

Get the most out of your college tour by visiting while students are on campus.

2. Meet with a professor. 

If you have a potential major or several major options identified, see if you can meet with one or more of the professors teaching in those departments. You can get a lot of information from the department’s website. Usually, this will include professors’ office locations and office hours. If there is a professor you would really like to speak with, line up your campus tour to make it convenient for you to attend their office hours. If you’re having trouble locating the information you need, call the departmental or campus visit phone number (usually under the “Contact Us” tab on the department’s website). Typically a departmental administrative assistant will be able to connect you with the information you need. If you meet with a professor, remember that their time is valuable. Go to your meeting with questions prepared. Here are some suggestions:

• Are there opportunities for undergraduates to get involved with research?
• Are there funding opportunities for undergraduates to do their own research or attend professional conferences?
• Is there a student organization or club associated with the department (e.g. a Psychology Club or an honor society like Psi Chi?)
• Are there any regular departmental gatherings or events that undergraduates can get involved in (e.g. some departments have yearly research competitions, others have casual events like weekly happy hour or monthly pizza parties)?
• If the institution has graduate students, how common is it for graduate students to teach courses? 
• Are there any scholarships specifically designated for students pursuing studies in this field?
• What types of jobs are graduates of this department getting? Does the department compile statistics on job placement rates?

There may be other things that are important to you. If you’re worried about whether your questions are appropriate to ask a college professor, run them by your high school guidance counselor first. If you are unsure about your major, you could meet with a professor in a field that you are considering, or if you are deciding between a couple of majors, you could set up meetings in both departments. Maybe you really don’t know what you want to focus on in college – if so, don’t sweat it – meeting with a professor is totally optional and is more informative for those with an idea of the field they want to enter. If that’s not you, skip this step or talk with a faculty member who teaches a general education class you’ll likely have to take at that college. If you do sit down to chat with a professor, take the time to send them a thank you email afterward (professional pro tip: make sure your email address and display name are appropriate – you shouldn’t be sending work or school-related emails from an immature or inappropriate email address).

3. Ask questions. 

Have questions prepared for your tour guide. Tour guides are typically well-involved students, so they are often knowledgeable about what’s going on around campus. Some suggestions for questions to ask your tour guide:

• What is the event that students get most excited about?
• Do most students live on campus? Are there restrictions for first-years regarding where they can live?
• What makes this campus or community unique?
• What’s the best piece of advice a faculty member has given you? (This is a good question because it gives you some insight into whether students have good access to faculty members – if your tour guide isn’t able to come up with any response, or if they say they don’t really have individual conversations with their professors, this could be a red flag).
• Do most students stay on campus over the weekend, or do most students leave?
• Is it safe to walk around campus at night? What about the areas surrounding campus?
• What’s the favorite off-campus hangout for students?
• If you have an hour between classes, where are you most likely to hang out?
• How ethnically diverse is campus?
• Is Greek life (i.e. fraternities and sororities) a big part of campus life?

These are just some examples – this article has 118 suggested questions to ask on a campus tour. The important thing is to focus on questions that matter to you – if you’ve always dreamt of joining a sorority, it’s a good idea to make sure Greek Life is an active part of campus culture. If you identify as a minority and you want to make sure there will be a strong community of others like you, ask those questions.

If your parents are attending campus tours with you, it can be tempting to let them take the lead and ask all the questions. While they may have some great questions, remember that this is about YOUR college experience. Don’t be shy! Be bold and ask questions yourself. This gives you a chance to focus on the things you really care about and allows you to make the experience your own – after all, the college experience will be all yours. Start off by owning it on the college tour!

4. Explore more of the campus. 

Give yourself extra time after the tour to explore the campus. For obvious reasons, campus tours tend to focus on the best features of the campus – the recently renovated dorm, the best dining hall, the photogenic quad, or the academic building with state-of-the-art laboratories. Wander around campus and check things out for yourself. Think about the places you would be likely to spend your time – dining halls, the library, the larger dorms or those that house first-year students – and make sure to stop by those places. You can also personally explore campus before your tour so that way on the tour you can ask your tour guide for more information about places that aren’t typically highlighted. 

Exploring the campus on your own can help you get an authentic feel for student life on campus.

5. Talk with an admissions counselor. 

Swing by the campus’s admissions office to chat with an admissions counselor. The people working in admissions offices are excellent resources – they are experts on college admissions, so they have loads of information about scholarships, getting into college, and the campuses where they work. They will be happy to answer any questions that you didn’t get a chance to ask your tour guide, or that your guide was uncertain about. Some schools offer the opportunity for formal admissions interviews. If this is a possibility and you are serious about the school, you should take advantage of the opportunity. An admissions interview will make you more memorable. If you do schedule an interview, be prepared with questions, dress professionally (business casual is typically sufficient), and practice answering questions without fillers like “ummm” and “like.”

6. Learn about extracurricular activities. 

Do you have a hobby that you intend to pursue in college? See if the campus has the resources to support you in pursuit of all your interests. For example, if you love to play basketball but you aren’t going to be on the college team, see if there are opportunities for intramural sports. You can ask your tour guide or an admissions counselor about this. The college might also have a list of clubs and organizations for you to get involved with on their website. Interested in an opportunity listed? Ask for more information about that organization or to meet with the faculty advisor or student leader.

7. Explore places off-campus. 

As the name implies, campus tours are generally restricted to the campus itself. However, as a college student, you will probably spend a lot of time in the area around campus as well. Ask your tour guide (or any other students you come into contact with) where they like to hang out off-campus. Then check out their suggestion and the area surrounding campus – does it have good restaurants and places to hang out? Do you feel comfortable there or could you see yourself hanging out in some of those spots as a student? If the surrounding area gives off a bad vibe, that’s something important to consider as well.

8. Stay on campus. 

If you have the opportunity to schedule an overnight visit at a place you are seriously considering, give it a try.  Staying on campus overnight can be very informative since you’ll spend some time hanging out with actual students and getting more familiar with the campus. However, if your overnight visit doesn’t go well, think about why – did you dislike the campus, or were you mismatched with your host? If your host had dramatically different interests than you, it could have negatively impacted your experience. Keep perspective about your overnight experience as you make your decision about the college.

9. Take notes. 

If you’re scheduling multiple campus tours, the tours will quickly start to blur together in your mind. To remind yourself of relevant features of each campus and things you liked and disliked, jot down some notes immediately after your visit that will jog your memory later on. If you know some of the qualities you want in your college experience, make a list of the specific features. As you visit each college make note of which schools have what you’re looking for. Consider this the start of a pros and cons list, which will help you make your decision later on.

Touring a second time can help you know with more certainty if the college is a great choice for you.

10. Take a second tour. 

Did you have mixed feelings about the campus and you can’t quite figure out why? Sometimes extraneous factors can have an impact on your opinion – maybe you visited campus on a gloomy day, sat in on a class when a professor was lecturing on a boring or difficult topic, had an inexperienced tour guide or an overnight host you didn’t connect with, or just visited on a day when you were in a bad mood. If you can’t quite figure out what was off and you’re trying to decide whether to attend the school, consider scheduling an additional campus visit. Another try might help you sort out those feelings. 

In addition to making the most of your tour while you’re on it, make sure you go on several tours for comparison purposes. Because campus tours tend to focus on the best parts of campus, it’s natural to be wowed by a tour. Schedule a few tours at different campuses to get a better view of the big picture. It’s also helpful to tour several different types of colleges (large state schools, small private universities, etc.) to get a better idea of what will be accessible to you at the different types of schools. 

If you have chosen a “safety school,” tour that too. Touring your safety school will help you get familiar with it and excited about the resources it has to offer. Then, if you end up at your safety school, at least you’ll have some specific things to be enthusiastic about when you consider attending your backup school.

Above all, remember to enjoy yourself. Campus tours are a great way to get excited about attending college and entering this new phase of your life!

This article was written by BookScouter contributor Crystal Koenig.

Crystal Koenig is a freelance writer and adjunct college instructor based in Southern Utah. She holds a PhD from Washington University in St. Louis.

Although this time of year is often defined by falling leaves, it can be easy to also let your midterm motivation fall. This mid-semester slump can cause major problems for college students who become burnt out from the continuous cycle of studying. This slump can result in slipping grades and reduced effort overall.

Dropping out is a huge decision with far-reaching consequences. You should consider the ramifications carefully before moving forward. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you decide if now is the time to drop out of college.

How do you know if dropping out is the right decision? 

How do you know if dropping out of college is the best decision for you?

Start with Why. 

Why do you want to drop out of college? It’s possible that your problem is fixable with a less drastic solution. For instance, if you have decided that you’re on the wrong career path, you may just need to change your major rather than quitting school entirely. If you’re really unhappy with your institution, look into transferring to a school with an atmosphere that suits you better. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut and you can afford school, try a semester abroad or a semester-long internship away from campus. If you are facing a difficult problem in your personal life, see if you can take a leave of absence rather than dropping out. Some schools allow students to take a semester off and then resume where they left off without any penalties. If you’re thinking of quitting school just because it’s harder than you expected it to be, it’s unlikely that quitting is your best option. Being successful in the real world without a college degree will likely present even more challenging obstacles. If you are overwhelmed by the difficulty of college, check out this article about adjusting to college life, or this article full of resources to help you succeed in college. 

Of course, sometimes dropping out is the right decision. 

Maybe your parents always wanted you to go to school, but you never wanted to. If you truly have no desire to be in college – any college – then it might not be for you. Or perhaps you are already employed and a college degree is unnecessary in your industry. If that’s the case, before you make a decision about dropping out, talk with others in your industry – especially successful people whose careers you would like to emulate – and ask them if they have college degrees, or whether they think that the industry is moving in a direction where college degrees will be necessary in the next few decades. If you are confident that you will be able to succeed in your chosen industry and that your lack of a degree will not impact your career aspirations or your earning potential, then dropping out might be the right decision for you. 

Like millions of others, you may also be worried about the debt you are incurring in order to get a college education. If this is one of your main concerns, then try to break down the numbers. Take a look at your loans and figure out how much you will have paid for your college education by the time it’s all paid off (student loan debt calculators like this one can help you). Now use the skills you’ve learned in college thus far and do some research – how much can you expect to make in your chosen career? Compare your earning potential with a degree in your field versus not having a degree in your field.  Is it worth the debt you will incur? If not, maybe there’s another reason that makes it worth it – like a passion for your field. If the numbers are not working in favor of staying in school and you don’t have another compelling reason to stick around, then dropping out maybe your best option.

Choosing to leave college is a big decision that could have major consequences. Use wisdom and take your time when making this decision.

What to do when dropping out of college is the right decision: 

What will you do when you drop out?

What will you do instead? It’s important that you have a plan. Consider how things in your life will change. You will no longer have student loans or scholarships available to cover your living expenses. Envision the short term – how will you pay your rent and other living expenses in the first year after dropping out of school? Also, consider the long term – what kind of career do you want to have? Maybe you plan to wait tables to pay your bills right away, but do you love waiting tables enough to keep doing it for the next several decades? If so, make sure that the income from that job will support the lifestyle that you want to have. If you have more of a short term plan, think about what you really want to be doing for your career. How will you get there? Does it require more of an education than you currently have (e.g. training from a trade school)? If so, how do you plan to get that education? 

If you think you want to quit but you’re also unsure of what you want to do once you’re free of the constraints of college life, consider taking a gap year. Year On (formerly known as UnCollege) offers gap year programs that combine service learning with skill-building and internships to help launch your career without a formal college education.

How will you share your plans? 

How will you go about letting everyone know about your plans? Communication is important, especially if your parents have been funding your education. When telling your parents, make sure you are clear about why you are quitting, and how you plan to get by after you leave school. You should also talk to your friends at school and let them know why and when you will be leaving…which brings up another important question!

Remember, that you shouldn’t make this decision in isolation. Even though sharing your plans can be tough, it is important to loop in people you highly respect and those who are important in your life before making a big decision.

When will you make your final decision? 

When will you make a final decision? Sometimes agonizing over a decision causes significant distress on its own. Making the decision can be a relief and allow you to start making concrete plans to move on with your life. Set a deadline for yourself and stick to it. The same principle applies for actually quitting – if you choose to leave school, when will you do that? If you decide early in the semester that you want to leave, you may be able to get a partial tuition refund. If you have gone far enough into the semester that you will not be able to get a refund, consider sticking around through the end of the semester. This has the advantage of giving you college credit for the classes you took and gives you the option of using the credits if you ever decide to return to college.

It is important that you not ponder these questions in total isolation. You should talk to people and let them know what you’re thinking. It’s a good idea to talk to a mental health professional, a trusted professor, someone who works in the industry you hope to work in, someone who has dropped out of college, and at least one person who knows you well. All of these people will have different perspectives and might be able to raise points that had not occurred to you. Also, think deeply about who you are and how you will fare without the structure of college life. People often tout the success stories of famous college dropouts to illustrate that college degrees are unnecessary. Sure, Steve Jobs and Coco Chanel dropped out of college, but do you have the internal motivation necessary to build an empire? If you are a motivated person who can forge a path on your own, then these might be excellent role models for you. If you tend toward late nights watching television and sleeping until noon when deprived of structure, then you should take that into account when making your decision. 

Whatever you choose to do, make sure it aligns with who you are and your goals.

Whether you complete your degree or not, forge your own path and tap into your internal motivation to achieve your dreams.

Know that you want to complete your degree, but struggling with some aspects of the college experience? Check out the article on How to Adjust to College Life.

This article was written by BookScouter contributor, Crystal Koenig. 

Crystal Koenig is a freelance writer and adjunct college instructor based in Southern Utah. She holds a PhD from Washington University in St. Louis.

You are thinking ahead and want to gain the work experience that will complement your education and get you a dream job right out of college. That’s great! 

Landing a great internship isn’t a simple task. It takes a bit of hard work, but it is possible. 

Follow this guide and you’ll find yourself closer to landing and thriving in that great internship. 

1. Understand your goals. 

The first step to getting an internship is understanding your goals. To do this you must ask yourself what you want to learn through work experience. Figuring out what you want to learn at an internship is very important because it will inform where you apply and help you set goals. This step isn’t necessarily easy, but once you know what it is you want, the rest of the steps will feel much easier. 

If you are uncertain about the specifics of what you hope to learn, that is okay! Write down general skills, experience, and understanding that you hope to gain from the job. 

At most internships you will gain knowledge and skills in broad areas, like: 

• Company structure
• Following standard operating procedures
• Team dynamics
• Goal setting 
• Client management systems 
• Delegation
• Data entry and management
• Whether or not you enjoy that specific niche in your field of work (which is probably the most helpful to you) 

If the above is what you hope to gain from an internship experience, great! You can be confident that most internship programs will provide you with the opportunity you desire. 

Many people hope to also gain specific knowledge within their field of study. If this is you, it is also important that you articulate specifics of what you hope to gain. 

Below are some examples of specific concepts and skills you could grow in understanding during your internship: 

• Well crafted design
• Engineering
• The process of reviewing editorial submissions 
• Preparing to launch a new product 
• Supply chain management 
• Social media marketing strategy 
• The art of writing strong grants 
• Navigating lobbying and connecting with representatives at your state capitol 

Unsure what you can learn by interning at a company? Ask the Student Support or Career Services at your college to help you get specific about what you want to learn at an internship. You can also ask friends who have participated in internships or reach out to businesses that offer internships (Side note: connecting with a company to ask these types of questions is a great way to get your foot in the door). 

Feeling stuck about which questions to ask a company? 

Here are a few questions you can ask businesses directly: 

• What do you hope interns learn through their experience with your company? 
• What specific skills do you help teach during the internship? 
• What are the strengths of the intern supervisor(s)? 
• What skills and areas of knowledge do you hope to strengthen in your interns? 
• Do you offer any type of assessment (personality, skills, outlook) that interns can take at the start and end of your program to observe their growth? 
• What do the daily task of interns include in this program? 
• Who in the office do interns interact with most and what are their skill sets?
• How often do you hire interns at your company? 
• Where are your past interns working now? 

Questions to ask friends who have held an internship: 

• What were your daily tasks as an intern? 
• What were your favorite projects to work on as an intern? 
• What did you learn as an intern? 
• How did you get your internship? 
• How did you prepare for your internship? 
• How do you recommend someone prepare for an internship that was similar to yours? 

Feel free to list as many aspects of work that you want to learn about or apply during your internship. The more you know about what you want to learn, the better you’ll be able to narrow down where you want to apply.

2. Decide where you want to apply. 

You can apply for an internship at most companies. This is great news, but this can also be overwhelming. That’s why understanding your goals is an important first step to take before identifying where to apply.

Start your list with the businesses you already know and respect.

Important first questions to ask yourself: 

As you develop your list keep two key questions in mind. 

“In what city should I live in during my internship?” 

and “Do I need to get paid at this internship?” 

By asking yourself about location and pay you’ll be able to narrow down viable options. 

To dig a little deeper when considering location, ask yourself, “am I willing and able to do an internship away from home?” If so, then consider which parts of the country or world you’re willing to travel. Keep in mind choosing to relocate comes with additional expenses. Make sure you and your family are prepared for this financial commitment, especially if the internship is unpaid.  

With the world as your oyster you can apply almost anywhere. This is where knowing what you hope to gain in an internship can be very helpful. Use your “what I want to learn” list as a keyword resource. Google searching “engineering internships” or “hands-on summer marketing internships” will lead you to some of the country’s top leading businesses that offer specific internships to college students. While typing in “internships” will direct you to long lists filled with opportunities that might not be pertinent to you. To get more specific include the city or state name when researching your specific type of internship. 

While the options are more limited by staying local, you can still experience great benefits at your internship. Similar to researching global opportunities, you can search for “engineering internships near me.” You may be surprised by the opportunities that pop up! 

Another avenue of research is speaking with your college. Reach out to your college’s Academic Support or Student Career Center about a list of companies other students from your college have interned at before. They may be able to connect you with a great local business that wants to hire interns from your college or university. 

With your list of options in hand, do a little more digging. Read about the ethos, vision, and goals of each business or non-profit. Which ones resonate with you and seem like you’d be able to learn several of your goals with these companies? 

While your future plans may differ slightly from the companies you are reviewing, if there is some overlap you likely have a great opportunity right in front of you. In this scenario, it is highly likely that you will learn about one or two concepts or skills in which you hope to grow. Additionally, the experience will expose you to new processes and ideas. Businesses are looking for interns who will jump right in, learn, and explore. This is the time to learn as much as you can.

It is also great to ask yourself this question, “can I see myself working at this company one day?” It is perfectly normal and okay to apply to internships where you don’t necessarily see yourself working in the future (it can still be a great experience). However, interning with a company you want to eventually work for full-time can help you understand the company culture, be trained by their team, and connect with their hiring managers. By gaining internship experience at this place, you will learn if you can truly see yourself in a role at the company in the future as well as expose the team to you, your work ethic, and genius; all of which could lead to a job offer later on. 

Now that you have your list of places where you’d like to apply, it is time to prepare your application.

3. Prepare your resume. 

If you are applying to your first internship, chances are you might not have a resume. 

A resume is a brief document that outlines your skills, education, and experience. If you are limited in experience, do not worry! You can highlight and expand on the experience and education you do have. Consider including jobs you had in high school, volunteer experience, special awards, and any jobs you may hold on campus. Uncertain what to include in your resume, Glassdoor provides excellent instruction for writing a resume for an internship that doesn’t feel overwhelming. 

Most people keep their resumes to one page since it is about highlighting your strongest achievements, experiences, and goals. Over the past few years, many applicants have chosen creative resume templates. Using color and modern organization of the items. If you choose to be creative, make sure your resume is still clear and understandable. 

Many resumes outline the individual’s goal for applying for the job, work experience, education, specific special skills, contact information, and sometimes names and contact information for references. Having the basics laid out, be certain to highlight aspects of your work and educational experiences that relate to the internship role to which you are applying. This serves as a quick snapshot for the interviewer as to why you are qualified for the job.  Don’t be shy about your interests either! Even if you do not possess much work experience, sharing your passion and desire to learn more about that role is very valuable to the company as well. It communicates that you will show up excited every day ready to learn and implement all that you are learning. 

Another avenue to share your passion and articulate how you see yourself benefiting the company is through a cover letter. A cover letter is a way to go deeper with the experience highlighted on your resume while also sharing more about who you are and your goals. Not all internships require a cover letter in the application process. If it is not required and you would like to share more of your story, consider drafting a cover letter and proofreading it with a trusted professional in your life. Proofreading will ensure it comes across as personal, professional, and polished. 

No matter what you include on your resume, it is very important that you follow the outlined instructions for applying for the internship.

4. Submit your application. 

With your strong resume in hand, you are now ready to apply for your internship. 

Research the application instructions and process online. If the instructions are unclear, reach out to the internship coordinator at the company by phone, email, or a LinkedIn message. This could also be a great opportunity to introduce yourself and learn more about the position. 

Following the application guidelines demonstrates that you are attentive to detail and respect their company policies. This is not to say that creativity is unwelcome. Quite the contrary. Do your best to stand out amongst the other applicants. If you choose a creative element, be sure to do so within their guidelines. 

The application process may include a form to complete online, submitting your resume and cover letter, sharing a writing sample, and an interview.

Speaking of being creative, there are several creative ways to apply for an internship. 

Other approaches to applying for an internship: 

1. Reach out to the internship director and employees of the company with LinkedIn connection requests. First, make sure your LinkedIn profile is set up and professional, and then start requesting connections of those that work at the company or organization where you are applying. Always add a note to your LinkedIn connection request and make sure you present yourself professionally.
2. If you hear of an opportunity or are introduced to a company you admire in a class, don’t be shy. After the presentation immediately introduce yourself to the speaker. Let them know your passions, what you appreciate about their presentation, and that you would be interested in interning with them. Be bold! Specifically, ask when and how you should apply. Ask for their card or contact information. Specifically follow up with them around the time they plan to bring on new interns. If they are not sure of when the internship program starts, ask if you can follow up with them next week after they’ve inquired about internship start dates with their team. 
3. If you already have a job in a company, ask your supervisor if you can shadow under another department for one or two days to broaden your skill sets in the company. After you shadow ask that department if you can assist them with special projects. This could place you under the direct wing of someone who can mentor you in the company or help you grow in your field. 
4. Applying to a large internship program (or one that you know receives many, many applications)? Place yourself at the top of the list! After reviewing the application guidelines, reach out to the company by phone or email with a genuine question that only the decision-maker (intern supervisor) will know the answer. Once they answer your question, submit your application. Your name will be familiar to them as they review applications. Not sure what to ask, head back to the list of questions in section one for sample questions. 
5. Conduct a survey in your field to gain knowledge that will be helpful to you and the company where you are applying. Ask the decision-maker if you can submit a survey you are currently conducting as part of your application or to join the team as an intern on a trial period as you complete the survey (or expand it). 

5. Stand out in your interview. 

Your resume, cover letter, and application impressed the company. Congratulations! 

Now it is time to shine face-to-face (or over the phone)! 

The interview is a key part of the application process for any job, including an internship. Understanding what you can already offer the team and the areas in which you want to grow will be key to helping you have a successful interview. That and confidence.  

Googling “questions I might be asked during an internship interview” could be a good place to start, but don’t stop there. Ask professors, friends, or even trusted adults to conduct practice interviews with you. Let them ask questions about your resume, cover letter, experience, and dreams. Answer honestly, and then prepare questions to ask the company. The more you practice the more comfortable you will feel with your answers. Be sure to remain natural and honest in your answers. 

Dressing to impress certainly applies here. When you arrive at an interview it is important that you are clean and professional in attire, attitude, and speech. Remain positive and honest in your conversations with the receptionist all the way through your final goodbye. 

During your interview, remember that the interviewer(s) has already read your resume. They will likely ask you to expand on the experiences you highlighted on your resume. Be prepared to give more context and insight into your prior experience. With that said, it is also to your benefit to acknowledge the professional areas you hope to grow in and master while interning with the company. Your vulnerability in this area shows the company that you will be invested in this opportunity because you already see the value they will offer you–and that is valuable to them!

As mentioned above, having questions prepared for the interviewers is always a good idea. By having questions ready you demonstrate your curiosity about the company and reveal that you think ahead. While technical questions about hours and pay are valid, it is also to your benefit to ask questions regarding the team culture and what success looks like in your role.

6. Follow up and follow through. 

After your interview, open your laptop and write a thank you email or send a handwritten note to the manager or team who interviewed you. In your message, highlight aspects that you appreciate about the company and the role. Specificity is your friend. End your note with an affirmation that they will be happy to hire you! This shows professionalism, initiative, follow-through, and confidence. 

In your thank you email or note, make sure to triple check names, titles, spelling, and grammar. Uncertain if your grammar is correct, use tools like spellcheck or Grammarly. Again, attention to detail here is important. You want every aspect of their interactions with you to feel professional, natural, and positive. 

During the days or few weeks after the interview, be mindful that the company may be interviewing several other applicants. If the interviewer mentioned that they would follow up with you by a specific date, and the day passes without their outreach, that is when it is appropriate to send a second follow up email to check-in. Please never harass the interviewer demanding a response. Forcefulness can actually lead to them not choosing you. Be professional, prompt, show your interest while being patient. 

Once you land that dream interview it’s time to follow through on the promises you made during your interview. For more tips on making the most of your internship, keep reading! 

Now that you have the job…

“How do I make the most of my internship?” 

Just like anything in life, when you have an internship you will get out of it whatever you put into it. 

If you want to have a great internship experience, show up every day expecting to learn something new, ask questions, take initiative, ask your supervisor how you can do more and exceed the company’s expectations.

Below are the top tips on thriving in your internship. 

Ask questions. 

No one wants to be annoying, and we’ve all witnessed scenarios where someone asks unnecessary questions. 

However, it is important to confidently ask questions when: 

• You don’t understand your responsibility in an assignment
• You have a genuine question about a concept 
• Additional clarity is needed for you and/or the team 
• You sense that an aspect of a project hasn’t been thoroughly thought through 
• When you want to grow in knowledge or skills 

If you anticipate that your questions will take significant time to answer, request a meeting with your supervisor.

When asking questions, be sure that you are genuinely curious and not just trying to stump a teammate or supervisor. The former fosters a sense of wanting to grow while the latter could create resentment and tension. 

Keep in mind that your internship experience is primarily viewed by your supervisor as a learning opportunity. This is your chance to learn as much as you can under a company that you admire. Soak up as much information as you can. 

Take initiative. 

Most companies look for interns and employees who take initiative. This does not mean always doing what you want and how you want. However, taking initiative in a respectful and timely manner will demonstrate your passion and work ethic. 

“How do I show respect when taking initiative?” I’m glad you asked! 

Before you take initiative, ensure that the work you are responsible for is completed! Do not allow a side project you are excited about steal away from your actual responsibilities. 

If a project you are overseeing is delayed due to a lack of communication or confusion, then it is appropriate to respectfully ask the person directly responsible for that area to clarify or contribute the missing information. If you are uncertain who the correct person is, then check in with your supervisor to learn who you should follow up with to move the task forward. 

Think critically. What areas of a project could improve? Is there a different process that would help a department or the company grow? If so, ask questions to better understand the current processes and the reasons behind the company’s current decisions. Once you have a decent handle, approach your supervisor in a current meet to present your idea with openness and curiosity. Be open to them wanting you to initiate the change, them wanting to put this suggestion on hold, or them shutting down the idea. Curiosity is also important. Using a phrase like, “I have an idea, and I wonder if it could work well. Would you like to hear it? I’d love to hear your feedback?” Approaching your supervisor with genuine curiosity and humility will reveal that you want the best for the company and help you not to feel defensive if they begin to ask questions or shut it down. The important thing is you tried! 

If you are struggling to come up with an innovative idea, that’s okay! Don’t force it. No one is expecting you to come up with new ideas as an intern (unless that is explicitly stated as part of your role). 

Learn expectations (and how to exceed them). 

While expectations were likely reviewed in your interview, it is important to confirm that you understand all expectations of you and your role during your first week at the internship. These expectations could include your professionalism and desired outcomes of projects. 

Once you understand the expectations, aim to meet them. If you have trouble in an area, be brave. Speak with your supervisor about how you can grow in an area to better meet the expectation and hopefully exceed it! 

Once you are confident that you can meet the expectations (without burning yourself out), choose one to two areas that you can impress your supervisor by aiming to exceed specific expectations. 

Communicate clearly.  

Nothing makes a supervisor happier than clear and concise communication. Your supervisor is likely balancing their full-time workload in addition to overseeing your work. Providing them with clear and concise communication helps them be more effective with their time with you, leaving them with more space to offer you more mentoring, training, and guidance. 

Be clear about: 

• Your schedule, especially if any trips were pre-planned before taking the internship
• If you are unable to make it into work for something like an illness 
• What you hope to learn in the internship or with a specific assignment
• Review of an assignment
• Answering their questions

Now, this is not to say that being detailed isn’t important. However, maintaining respectful communication (including avoiding over-communication) can help with efficiency and give more time for you to grow in your role. 

Be sure to ask how your supervisor prefers to communicate with you. This could be via email, Slack, etc. Work with their preferred channel of communication. It shows respect. 

Another way to show respect is to receive communication well! Pay attention and engage in meetings. Read emails and respond if necessary or to confirm your receipt of the email. Pay attention to calendar invitations and project deadlines. People are communicating with you to help you do your job well. They may be relying on your communication to do their job well too. 

Keep your foot in the door. 

Remaining in contact with your supervisor, teammates, or intern peers can prove helpful to you in the future, especially if you left a great impression during your internship. 

To keep your foot in the door with the company you can: 

• Add your supervisor, teammates, or intern peers on LinkedIn
• If appropriate, add personnel to your Facebook or social media platforms (this might only be appropriate with your peers, but could also include your supervisor. It simply depends on the team culture at the company). 
• Follow up with an email or handwritten note of thanks to your supervisor or department teammates with specific details as to what you learned and how you are excited to move forward in your field. 
• Send a holiday card, note or email. 
• Check-in every 6 – 12 months to see how they are doing. Even if you are not ready for a job with the company just yet, it shows that you are personable. 
• Ask about upcoming job openings the company anticipates having during the time you will be starting to apply for a job and what skills they are specifically looking for. You guessed it, then practice those skills! 

Your former supervisor and teammates are well connected. They often want to help the business, and if you were an asset to their team, they likely want to help you too! 

Good luck on your internship application! 

Want more work experience while earning your degree? Check out the 7 Best Campus Rep Jobs to Apply to.

Download the How to Land a Great Internship & Make It Count-A Guide pdf to keep on hand or share with your friends!