👩‍🏫 FA2024 Course: First-Year Experience

Course Description: This eight-week First Year Experience course will ask incoming college students to gain a better understanding of the college environment, their own academic strengths and challenges, and other resources and life skills that will serve as a foundation for college success. It is our hope that through this experience you will gain a better sense of the college mission and vision and feel comfortable reaching out for the support you need to thrive academically as a college student.

Learning Objectives: The purpose of this course is to orient students to the college experience including how to navigate life in an academic setting. In addition, as part of this course students will:

1) Reflect on their own values 

2) Gain an understanding of the liberal arts and general education, including how these intersect with the applied fields at the college 

3) Explore the college community, its opportunities and resources 

4) Review study skills techniques to apply in their classes 

Course Texts: Beiderwell, Bruce and Tom Lochhaas. College Success, version 2.0. (Flatworld)

Graded Assignments:

Written Reflections (2-page essays):

1. Why College.

2. Core Values.

3. How do I Learn.

4. College & Life Skills: 2 self-navigated assignments & reflections.

Schedule Advising, Program Mapping: Students will work on a program and tentative Course schedule in order to be prepared for the advising period. This mapping will include plotting requirements and sequencing for general education, your major and any minor programs.

Evaluation: 

Final grades will be calculated based on the following assignment weights:   

Assignments: 50% 

4-year plan: 15%

Quizzes: 15%

Homework planner: 20%