Navigating SUNY Oswego
Advice from those who came before
Senior Leah Cunningham transferred to SUNY Oswego during her sophomore year and had to discover the ins and outs of Oswego on her own. Below is a list she's compiled to help
jumpstart your discovery process and to help you feel more comfortable during your time here.
01
Poucher wing is your home.
It’s located on the third floor in the back of Marano Center.
02
The secretaries in the English and Creative Writing office are here to help YOU!
Ask them anything you want.
03
We have clubs!
There is the Creative Writing Club, English Honors Society (Sigma Tau Delta), Writers Open Forum, New Voices, Springside (student lead workshops with seniors), and more. We’re constantly growing as a department.
04
Honors Program?
Maybe you didn’t get accepted into the honors program your freshman year, or your first semester. No worries, you can still apply for admission as a second semester freshman or sophomore.
05
Looking to share your work aloud with an audience?
Go to Open Mic Night located in Lake Effect Cafe in Penfield library every Thursday evening.
06
We have our own literary magazine!
Yes, you can submit your own work, or work as an editor. Everyone is welcome! Check out the Great Lake Review here!
07
The Oswegonian is the school’s paper.
Go and check out their office in Marano Center if you’re interested in writing news. You can check them out here!
08
Need help on an essay or a paper?
We have a Writing Center that is stationed in Penfield Library and they are there all for YOU! Utilize them, or become a writing tutor yourself.
09
Looking for a local independent book store because you miss the one from your home town?
No problem, go to The River’s End Bookstore on 19 W. Bridge Street.
10
The bookshelves in Poucher are there for you.
Feel free to take a book or leave one that you want to share with other people on the “Your” shelf, or borrow a book from the “Our” shelf.
11
Penfield Library sometimes has books you need for class on their shelves for you to take out for the semester, so check them out first!
They also have plenty of computers in their labs as well as laptops for you to rent with your ID for up to two hours if you’re having technology problems. They also rent Nooks, Kindles, and iPads.
12
No, Degreeworks is not always 100% right.
It’s technology, and we all know technology makes mistakes too, so be sure to double check everything with your advisor and even then make sure you know exactly what’s going on. Be in control!
13
There is a limit on how many credits you can take in your own major.
That magic number is 54 so be sure to plan out your schedule over the next few years accordingly so you can get into the classes you want to take.
14
Culkin is a very important building.
If you need a new student ID, questions about your financial aid, need to change something with student accounts, all of this and more can be found in Culkin.
15
There is a super secret computer lab in Marano Center room 207.
Shhhh... don't tell :)
16
The Compass is there for you.
Need help with your resume, want to find some internships, looking for future career possibilities? All of this and more can be found at The Compass! Go and check them out at least once!
17
Professors don’t bite!
If they say come and see them and talk to them, they mean it, so do it. They can help you with whatever burning questions you have and/or the goals you want to reach. They are more than happy to make time and talk about an assignment with you, so don’t be afraid.