Academic Resources & Pathways
Whether you are starting college or are currently enrolled, odds are that your college journey will be filled with questions. Let us help you find, enter, stay, and flourish in your pathway.
In this page, you will find:
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Academic Exploration
Your academic exploration should always start with a career in mind. Below are some resources we recommend to help you get started. Check out our Career to Major Workshop to learn more about how to start your academic search the right way.
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The best way to start your major exploration is not by exploring any one major; it starts by exploring yourself, your interests, values, and skills. Once you know yourself, you can start exploring a career that suits you best. After career exploration, you will be able to identify a small selection of majors that will satisfy your career requirements. Head over to our Exploration and Discovery section to learn more.
2
After you engage in exploration and discovery, you will end up with a list of careers that suit you best. Now is time to explore the education requirements of those careers. O*NET is the best search engine for finding the most comprehensive information about any profession. Head over to O*NET to find information on skills, education, and abilities required for your profession, along with important information on wages, employment trends, and bright outlooks for careers, which will give you a better look into your chosen profession. For help navigating O*NET, check out our Beyond the Textbook: O*NET workshop.
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What Can I Do With This Major will help you make the best major decisions. What Can I Do With This Major is a paid service, but you can access it for free through the SJSU Career Center. For help navigating this What Can I Do With This Major, check out our Beyond the Textbook: What Can I Do With This Major workshop.
Course Units
Understanding what course units mean and how many units you can realistically take per semester is important, as you will have to balance multiple responsibilities outside of your college coursework.
The Part-Time Student
The Full-Time Student
A part-time student takes 11 or fewer semester units.
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1 semester unit = 1 hour of class time per week.
11 semester units = 11 hours of class time per week.
A full-time student takes 12 or more semester units.
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12 semester units = 12 hours of class time per week.
15 semester units = 15 hours of class time per week.
General Rule for Study Time
The general rule for calculating study time is to allocate 2 hours of study time per semester unit. Some institutions and some courses may require up to 3 hours of study time per semester unit. Adjust your calculations accordingly.
3 Semester Unit
X
2 Hours of Study Time
=
6 Hours of Study Time
+
3 Semester Units (Hours of Class Time)
=
9 Total Hours of Study Time + Class Time
(For Every 3 Semester Unit Class)
The University of Pittsburgh has an amazing Time Management Calculator that we highly recommend you try. Keep in mind they measure study time in 3-hour increments for each semester unit.
Course Modalities
There are many ways to attend college. One of the most important aspects of higher education is learning about different instructional methods, how a course meets, and the flexibility each course modality offers. Selecting the right course modality will increase your chances of success. Everyone learns differently, so learn what works best for you!
Traditional In-Person
A traditional in-person class requires students to attend every class in person. Although there may be an online component to the course, the primary instruction takes place on the college campus, in person.
Online - Synchronous
An online synchronous class allows students to work on class material off campus but still requires them to meet virtually for class at a set amount of time each week.
Online - Asynchronous
An online, asynchronous class allows students to work on class material from off campus and does not require them to meet at a fixed time each week. An online asynchronous class offers the most flexibility, since students can complete coursework anytime, anywhere.
Hybrid
A hybrid class has both traditional in-person and online components. It is up to the instructor to decide whether instruction will be held in person or online each week. If you are taking this class, talk to the professor to discuss the structure and expectations of their hybrid class.
Hyflex
A hyflex class offers the most flexibility, as it encompasses three modalities at once, allowing students to choose which modality they will learn with each class. The three modalities include online synchronous, online asynchronous, and traditional in-person classes.
Degree Offerings
Every college and university system will have its unique degree offerings. The California Community Colleges (CCC), California State Universities (CSU), and Universities of California (UC) all offer the same degree types across all the colleges and universities within their system, but degree offerings may vary at private and out-of-state universities.
Explore specific CA Private Universities, HBCU, and Out-of-State WUE Universities to learn more about their offerings.
College Student Perks
There are many perks of being a college student. Regardless of which institution you choose to attend, there are plenty of resources to aid in your college journey. Check out some of our favorite resources below.
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