Willimantic, Conn. – As part of Eastern Connecticut State University’s 2013-18 Strategic Plan, “Eastern in 4” is now a requirement for current students and incoming freshmen. The goal of “Eastern in 4” is to lay out a tight and comprehensive plan—including academic and career goals—that will lead students to their bachelor’s degrees in four years.
“Eastern in 4” has existed as an informal objective for several years now, but recent data supporting the need for college-career planning has caused the University to revamp and mandate the program. “There are so many options and requirements in a college setting,” said Alison Garewski, a professional advisor with the Advising Center. “Students unknowingly taking courses they don’t need—costing them more money and prolonging their time in college—is an issue nationwide.”
With nearly 1,000 freshman at Eastern this year, approximately 650 have completed their academic plans. Though the plans are designed in group sessions of five to 20 students, each four-year plan is individualized according to a student’s degree requirements and preferences—taking into consideration which liberal arts courses to take, internships and study abroad opportunities.
“Every semester when registering for classes I use my four-year plan to aid in my selection,” said Christina Harmon, a sophomore majoring in psychology. “‘Eastern in 4’ was a great way for me to learn what classes I need to take and how to stay on track in order to graduate on time.”
While “Eastern in 4” is available to all students and majors, it is especially useful to transfer students, continuing education students and those switching majors. “This program is ideal at Eastern because we’re a liberal arts school,” said Chris Drewry, a professional advisor with the Advising Center. “Students are required and encouraged to take courses outside of their major, so having this direction is really helpful.”
“Before making my ‘Eastern in 4’ plan, I had no idea if I could fit a double major’s worth of classes into my schedule,” said Thomas Hacker, a freshman with a double major. “Now I have a roadmap to double major in music and communication in four years.”