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Student Advice

This is valuable input from our very own students who have experience in the department. To contact WGSS majors and minors, ask the department coordinator [email protected].

  • When thinking in terms of Academics as a first-year student you should:

    • Take a wide variety of classes in many different departments. Attend as many lectures and conferences as possible. Meet with your advisor often, even if it’s just to talk. Don’t get a job during the summer. Think about what you enjoyed reading and then follow your path.

    • Take introductory-level classes.

    • Take a theory class, and occasionally talk to a professor that you like.

    • Read the course catalog to know the requirements for particular majors so that you can set your academic goals.

    • Try things out; don’t determine your focus too quickly. I came to Mac knowing that I was going to be a WGSS major and this helped me a lot, allowing me to get a jumpstart on my major, but it would have been nice to play around a bit.

    • Take a WGSS intro class; (that gets your juices flowing for engaging in feminist issues and the critical thinking encouraged by WGSS’s mission.)

    • Try to take at least one WGSS class in the areas you tend to avoid (science or social science) to meet distribution requirements early.

    • You only need one intro WGSS core course. Towards the end, doubling up on requirements may make your life stressful.

    • Stay calm and take classes that excite/inspire you.

    • Take a variety of classes – start with requirements.
  • When thinking in terms of Extra-Curricular activities as a first-year you should:

    • Find one thing that keeps you sane and do it well.

    • For specific WGSS-related activities, join feminist/queer organizations on campus – QU, FIA, STARSA, campus-sponsored events.

    • Be involved with groups and go to WGSS sponsored events.

    • Talk to older students.

    • Visit the Lealtad-Suzuki center and the Community Services office.

    • Try a variety of activities and clubs; then find a niche you can be involved with on any level for four years.

    • Join a cultural organization and explore parts of yourself or other people that are different.
  • When thinking in terms of Academics as a second-year student you should:

    • Find an advisor who really suits you and take a class from them.

    • Take a variety of WGSS classes in other departments.

    • Pay attention to needed credit requirements.

    • Take classes in other disciplines that connect.

    • Take some classes that focus on theory; you’re ready for it! Start thinking about constructing a major/minor plan and make connections with faculty members.

    • Talk to Sonita or Corie.

    • Declare, although you don’t have to decide until the end of this year, the earlier the better, especially if you plan to have more than one major.

    • Consider whether to start an honor project.

    • Take an intermediate class. Make sure you’re taking two WGSS classes each semester to leave time and space your senior year.

    • Start focusing on 2-3 topics you like. Find out about the opportunities related to your field.

    • Plan out your time and find a good work place. Start to become more involved with WGSS, by taking more courses or by incorporating WGSS topics into classes in other departments.

    • Think about studying abroad.

    • Try to find a related summer job.
  • When thinking in terms of Extra-Curricular activities as a second-year student you should:

    • Work a part-time job during the year and save money to travel in January or in the summer.

    • Volunteer or intern for credit, to help with the major.

    • Get some regular exercise.

    • Go to WGSS events. Find an organization to work with.

    • Try to talk to people who organize events. Consider joining committees or organizations. The WGSS steering committee is a great way to be involved in the department.

    • Volunteer off-campus.

    • Don’t try to do it all. Find a couple of things and stick to those. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Organize your time well.

    • Study abroad.

    • Take leadership roles in campus organizations. Participate actively in an activity that you enjoy.

    • Continue to be involved. Go to different events on and off campus.
  • When thinking in terms of Academics as a third-year student you should:

    • Have your major plan well designed.

    • Get an internship

    • Take an independent with a great professor about something you really love to study. (Use this research in your senior honor thesis.)

    • Keep taking one or two really challenging classes per semester.

    • Think/talk about the preliminary stages of your honors project.

    • Go abroad!! It really helps define you and your focus.

    • Take advanced WGSS classes. Finish your requirements. (You don’t want to miss an ideal senior class.)

    • Work on being more efficient. Make a schedule and stick to it. Do not procrastinate.

    • Start to think post-Macalester.
  • When thinking in terms of Extra-Curricular activities as a third-year student you should

    • Keep your job if you can. Enjoy one hobby or passion that has little to do with school/academics.

    • Work on the steering committee.

    • Keep an eye open for folks who might be interested in taking over leadership positions you have.

    • Get off campus.
  • When thinking in terms of Academics as a senior you should:

    • Take classes that you really love. Enjoy speakers and seminars.

    • “Make your mark” shape your department or the college.

    • Get on the ball with your honors project.

    • Think about a graduate school focus.

    • Take a senior seminar. Finish your major, and maybe pull together another one or a minor.

    • Do an internship: this department is all about linking theory and practice.

    • Try an independent project. Research something that puzzles you.
  • When thinking in terms of Extra-Curricular activities as a senior you should:

    • Spend quality time with the few people you really have. You don’t have time!

    • Participate in conferences.

    • Find a job.

    • Involve yourself with people that work in the field that interests you. Talk to younger students doing WGSS stuff and encourage them.

    • Work on the steering committee.

    • Take an active role assisting younger students in the department. Help steer the future of the department.

    • Do something that inspires you, and that you would consider continuing after graduation.

    • Revive something you mean to do.

    • Have fun!