The Academic Edge Advising Blog

What’s your goal today?

- 🗺️ The UWF Maze: Getting Started
  - Navigating the UWF maze and UWF Lingo

- 🧘 Calm Seas: Student Self-Care
  - Happiness, Wellness tips

- 📅 Registration and Planning
  - Get your Advising PIN, check your degree audit, and stay ahead of enrollment deadlines

- 🚀 The Semester Playbook: Success Tips
  - From Starting Strong to Ending the Semester (and even your Winter Break Playbook), get strategies to manage your workload.

- 📚 Research and AI
  - Responsible AI use and research tips

- 🤝 Straight From Your Peers
  - Real advice from fellow SOE students on balancing life, internships, and specialized programs

- 🍎 Understanding FTCEs & Florida Teacher Certification
  - Everything you need to know about FL teacher certification (K-12): traditional and alternative routes, FTCE resources

- 🏫 Clinicals, Internships, and Professional Practicums
  - Your guide to internships, clinical experiences, and student teaching

- 🌟 Alumni Insights: The Finish Line
  - Wisdom from those who have crossed the stage, and lessons learned from School of Education graduates who turned their academic goals into reality.

- 🎓 Almost There! Graduation and Beyond
  - A smooth guide to your final semester, commencement steps, and transitioning into your professional career

The Doctoral Journey: What I Wish I'd Known and Why It Matters

May 29, 2026 | Dr. Mercedes Musto

So, you said yes to the doctorate. Wondering if it's supposed to be this hard? Yes. Most definitely yes. This journey is one of the most cognitively complex and emotionally transformative experiences you can undertake. The struggle isn't just the rigorous work; it's overcoming the "invisible components" of academic life. Discover five research-backed lessons from a doctoral graduate who made it through and what they wish they'd known sooner. Read more

Understanding FTCEs and Your Path to Teacher Certification in Florida

May 15, 2026 | Layla Zandi

Dreaming of a career in the classroom? Your major might not lock you out of teaching! Whether you are enrolled in a traditional UWF Florida certification education program or exploring alternative certification routes, navigating the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCEs) is key to your success. Discover how subject areas dictate certification, explore UWF’s program requirements, and access free study tools to help you pass your exams. Read more

Taking Steps to Feel Happier!

April 27, 2026 | Jennifer Griffin

University life can be a grind, but your mental health shouldn't be the price of admission. We’ve just dropped a massive update to our Student Happiness Toolkit, and it’s packed with game-changing new resources. From under-the-radar campus perks to the latest wellness tech and science-backed mood boosters, we’ve found the stuff that actually works for a student’s life. Stop surviving and start thriving. Your best semester starts right here. Read more

Responsible AI Use

February 19, 2026 | Jennifer Griffin

Is AI your secret academic weapon or a one-way ticket to a "please see me" email? Generative AI is a game-changer, but using it responsibly is an art. Our latest blog explores how to boost efficiency without sacrificing critical thinking. Learn why you should never trust an AI citation, how to cite your tools, and creative ways to study smarter. Don't let the machine do the thinking—let it make your own ideas shine. Ready to level up responsibly? Read more

Graduate Students - Navigating Dual Courses with Confidence

February 19, 2026 | Jenny Feysa

The secret to thriving in a longer semester isn’t working harder—it’s working with your brain’s natural rhythms. From "Clean Break" subject switching to mapping out the "Week 5 Danger Zone," we’re sharing the ultimate toolkit for 16-week success. Learn how to protect your "off switch" and finish the semester strong without the burnout. Read more

New Year, New Semester: Re-Setting Your Academic Compass

January 6, 2026 | Jenny Feysa

New Year, New Semester: Is your academic compass set? Welcome back, Argos! As Spring 2026 kicks off today (1/7), it’s the perfect time to chart your course for success. Whether you’re joining us in Building 85 or learning fully online, our latest guide covers everything from S.M.A.R.T. goals to virtual advising and our Extensive Student Resources. Read the full post to calibrate your plan and find your "True North" this semester!

The Winter Break Playbook: Refresh, Recharge, and Return as a Motivated Argo

December 10, 2025 | Jenny Feysa

Tired after finals? The Winter Break isn't just time off—it's your ultimate academic refresh! Our new blog post, "The Winter Break Playbook," provides you with the advisor-approved plan for maximum relaxation (December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026) and a smooth return for the start of the Spring semester (January 7). Learn the 3 Rs: Rest, Recharge, & Return Motivated. Don't just survive the break, master it! Read the Playbook now! Read more

Ending the Semester Strong

November 7, 2025 | Jennifer Griffin

It’s that time of the semester when many are struggling with motivation, and it can feel tough to keep going. To top it off, as the holiday season approaches, personal schedules are even busier, and there are so many things to do! So today, let’s talk about ending the semester strong! Don’t give up on the weeks/months of hard work you have already put in; end strong, and achieve the academic success you can be proud of. Read more

Straight From Your Peers: Mid-Semester Study & Sanity Hacks

October 13, 2025 | Jenny Feysa

Feeling the mid-semester slump? The halfway point can be tough, but you're not in this alone. We collected the best survival tips directly from your fellow students. Forget the textbook advice—this is practical, real-world advice on managing time, fighting burnout, and using campus resources to not just survive, but crush the rest of the semester. Read more

Library Resources for Students

August 28, 2025 | Blythe Webster

Part of our role as academic advisors is to be familiar with a multitude of resources available to help you succeed. One expansive resource at our disposal is the university libraries. The libraries are a wealth of information for you in many different areas. In this post I want to highlight some of the key resources the library can offer you. Read more

Starting the Semester Strong

August 11, 2025 | Jennifer Griffin

We are so excited to welcome you back to UWF! In this blog post, I will be providing you with some tips to start the semester off on a strong note to have a successful semester. Read more

Deciphering UWF Lingo: Your Guide to Campus Speak

July 15, 2025 | Jenny Feysa

Greetings, Argos! As you embark on and continue your academic journey, you'll quickly discover that every university has its own unique vocabulary – a set of terms, acronyms, and phrases that are part of daily campus life. Understanding this "UWF lingo" is crucial for navigating your academic path smoothly and making the most of your college experience. This post will help you decode essential UWF terms and answer some common questions, ensuring you're always in the know. Read more

10 Tips for Mastering Time Management

June 4, 2025 | Jennifer Griffin

Time— when it comes to our to-do list, most of us could use more time. Summer is a great time to start practicing time management. There tend to be many opportunities for fun and distraction in the summer, and it’s a great time to start practicing balancing and prioritizing school and other responsibilities with fun and family. We get it, most students are juggling multiple responsibilities - school, work, family, etc. The key to success when you have a lot going on is time management. Read more

Making the Most of Supervised Experiences or Internships

May 20, 2025 | Sarah Kent

Hi everyone! Internships or supervised clinical experiences are more than just certification requirements. These opportunities are your chance to build soft skills, make professional connections, and grow in confidence as an emerging professional. Whether you're in education, behavior analysis, or a related field, these real-world placements are where theory meets practice. Here are some tips to help you make the most of them. Read more

Almost There! Your Guide to a Smooth Graduation & Commencement

April 2, 2025 | Jenny Feysa

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to chat with you all about the most awesome of topics: graduation! For many of you, that light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter. You've put in the hard work – the late nights, the challenging assignments, all those early morning classes – and now, that moment of walking across the stage at Commencement is within reach. Let's make sure you're all set for a smooth and stress-free finish. Read more

Mastering the Registration Process: Tips for a Successful Registration Process

March 16, 2025 | Jennifer Griffin

Registration is here again, and you have likely received multiple emails from advising and the registrar’s office about preparing for registration. I have compiled a list of tips for navigating the registration process to make this registration period as easy as possible for you. Read more

Navigating the University Maze: Your Advisor is Your Guide!

February 14, 2025 | Jenny Feysa

Hey everyone! Welcome to the School of Education’s Academic Advising Blog, your one-stop shop for all things academic success! I'm Jenny Feysa, and I'm so excited to connect with you here. Whether you're a brand-new student just starting your academic journey or a seasoned graduate student preparing for graduation, this blog is designed to be your go-to resource. Read more