Registration For the First-Year Seminar

Introduction

Freshman year is the foundation on which the rest of the college experience is built. And yet, overwhelmed by all sorts of personal, social, and academic changes, many students have a difficult time experiencing success during this initial period of their college career.

That's where we come in. Instead of allowing you to adjust to college feeling overwhelmed and alone, we have carefully designed UNV 100: The First-Year Seminar.

Most colleges and universities offer a First-Year Seminar. Some are offered within academic departments and introduce students to the expectations of a major or a career. Others are an extension of orientation and provide students with a chance to become fully integrated in various aspects of college life. At UMass Dartmouth, however, UNV 100 combines the objectives of an extended orientation with the content of an academic seminar.

The Seminar

The goal of UNV 100 is to assist students in making a successful transition into the university, and experiencing success. Throughout the Seminar, students are provided with important strategies, timely information, and creative ideas to assist them in adjusting responsibility to the personal, social, and academic expectations of college life. UNV 100 supports the academic mission of the university by encouraging students to become creative communicators, rational thinkers, and socially-responsible citizens.

The Learning Outcomes

Students are expected to approach this course with the intent on developing their skills as learners, researchers, and aspiring scholars. The format of this course enable students to share responsibility for the classroom teaching/learning process. In doing so, they will be better able to:

• Understand the culture of higher education
• Set realistic goals and expectations
• Develop college survival skills
• Enhance personal growth and educational development
• Establish priorities for academic success
• Learn and demonstrate effective interpersonal skills

The Instructors

The First-Year Seminar is taught by outstanding college administrators � individuals who are enthusiastic about working with first-year students, who are experienced with various aspects of college teaching, learning, and student development, and who are willing to be a friend, a mentor, an advisor, or whatever it takes to ensure your success.

We understand the difficulty college life can pose for first-year students. We also understand the need for new students to find their niche socially and to adjust to the academic demands of college life as quickly as possible. While we realize that not every students can be successful, we believe that more can be by participating in the First-Year Seminar.

Course Contents

It is practically impossible for UNV 100 to cover all of the developmental challenges (i.e., personal, social, academic, etc.) facing today's college students. While there is consistency in the basic content and structure of this course, each instructor has the opportunity to establish the timeframe by which to meet the expected objectives and learning outcomes for the seminar. Additionally, within each section, instructors are expected to integrate discussions on the importance of campus involvement, university resources, and career development.

The Benefits

The First-Year Seminar meets twice a week for ten weeks in a 50-minute session. This structure allow first-year students to interact with and gain support from their peers, and to create a sense of community within the larger university community. It, therefore, provides a chance for you to share your transition into the university in a small relaxed atmosphere. The end result � a more meaningful, personable, and memorable college experience.

The Textbook

Your College Experience: Strategies for Success by Gardner & Jewler (1997) is the text used in the First-Year Seminar. This textbook is representative of the many custom published seminar textbooks used at colleges and universities across the country. It provides insight, advise, and practical strategies to assist students in making the most of their college experience. Some of the more critical classroom discussions and reading assignments focus on the following topics:

Critical Thinking

• Seek connections and finding new possibilities
• Organize possibilities systematically
• Learn strategies to present ideas convincingly

Conflicts, Challenges, and Personal Choice

• Understanding of how our choices can challenge personal values
• Identify expectations for success
• Establish educational and career objectives

Interpersonal Competence

• Communicate across cultures
• Establish personal identity
• Develop relationships

Diversity Leadership

• Explore the dynamics of multiculturalism
• Learn leadership style
• Become culturally aware and socially responsible

Stress and the College Student

• Understanding that stress is unavoidable
• Identify the warning signs of stress
• Develop strategies to controlled stress

Beyond Academics: Making Connections for Lifelong Success

• Discuss the importance of co-curricular activities
• Understand the importance of career development
• Identify opportunities may enhance career success

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