Chapter 2:

Taking the Reins of Your Academic Journey

Your second year is the perfect time to become more familiar with tracking your own academic progress. Understanding where you stand and planning your path forward is essential for staying on track to graduation.

Monitoring Your Progress: The Degree Progress Report (DPR)

Your Degree Progress Report (DPR) is the official record of your academic progress toward graduation. Here’s how to use it effectively:

1. Accessing your DPR: Log in to One.IU and search for “Degree Progress Report”
2. Reading your report: Your DPR organizes requirements into sections—look for:
   • Completed requirements (marked with a checkmark)
   • In-progress requirements (courses you’re currently taking)
   • Unfulfilled requirements (what you still need to complete)
3. Understanding the fine print: Pay close attention to minimum grade requirements and prerequisite chains that might impact your future course selection

Remember to run a fresh DPR at least once each semester to ensure you’re on track.

The Luddy Advising Checksheet: Your Planning Companion

While your DPR is the official record, the Luddy advising checksheet offers a more user-friendly planning tool:

• Download the checksheet specific to your major and catalog year
• Use it alongside your DPR to map out remaining requirements
• Bring your completed checksheet to advising appointments for more productive discussions

Updating Your Semester-by-Semester Plan

Now is the time to refine your long-term course plan:

• Review prerequisites for upper-level courses in your major
• Consider how specializations might affect your course sequence
• Balance difficult technical courses with other requirements
• Plan for potential internships or study abroad experiences
• Ensure you’re making steady progress toward GenEd or CASE requirements

Strategic Advisor Meetings

Schedule meetings with your advisor when you:

• Need to declare a specialization
• Have questions about your DPR
• Are considering study abroad or summer courses
• Are struggling academically
• Want to discuss internship preparation

Before your meeting: Review your DPR, update your checksheet, and prepare specific questions to make the most of your time together.

Transfer and Summer Credits

If you’re planning to take courses outside IU:

• Always get approval before taking courses elsewhere
• Understand how transfer credits will apply to your specific requirements
• Be aware that some upper-level Luddy courses must be completed at IU