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Home » Academics » Centers & Programs » First-Year Experience

First-Year Experience

Thinking Green at Opportunities Fair 2019As new members of ’RooNation, First-Year Experience is your opportunity to learn what being a ’Roo really means.

 

The Austin College Mission Statement says (in part):

“An Austin College education emphasizes academic excellence, intellectual and personal integrity, and participation in community life.”

First-Year Experience will connect you to the mission of Austin College through shared experiences like First-Year Seminar. It will also teach you the shared expectations for participation in our community through programming like Project F.L.O.O.R. And, First-Year Experience will connect you with your faculty mentor, who will be there to guide you through all four years at Austin College (and beyond!). 

First We Servea

Advisinga

Opportunities Fair 2019

 

During your first year, we provide opportunities for you to engage meaningfully with different aspects of life at Austin College.

College Expectations, Requirements & Processes Expand

We will provide a foundation for new students from all backgrounds to become full participants in the mission of the college. Through the first-year experience, students will gain an understanding of the expectations of college in general and Austin College specifically.

  • Adjustment from high school to college
  • Orientation to the Compass Curriculum
  • The expectations and advantages of a liberal arts undergraduate education
  • The importance of academic integrity & ethical behavior
  • Approaching new experiences with an open mind
Introduction to the Campus Expand

Though many elements of college life are common across institutions, some require direct orientation, including Abell Library, the Academic Skills Center, the Scarbrough Center for Writing, and Webhopper (course registration).  First-year seminar will introduce you to these resources and make sure that you can make the most of them.

Foundation for Academic Skills Expand

From notetaking to reading, academic writing to studying for exams, there is a set of academic skills that you will need to be successful in your college work. Regardless of the topic, First-year Seminar courses are designed to develop and hone those skills.

Promotion of Wellness Expand

Austin College views students as whole people, and as such recognizes the need for students to attend to your mental and physical wellness in multiple ways. First-year students will receive information on the needs of, and the risks faced by, a college population (sleep! go to class! drink water!). You will also be introduced to the resources and tools we have in place to help you stay healthy and well.

Intentional Planning for your College Career Expand

Though we certainly don’t expect you to have it all figured out from the start, in the first year you should begin considering the path you plan to take through your time at Austin College.  Your faculty mentor will help guide you through:

  • The exploration and discovery that is at the heart of the liberal arts experience
  • Thinking concretely about the academic program, including course selection, major(s) and minor(s)
  • Considering the experiences Austin College is uniquely able to provide in support of undergraduate education, including internships, study abroad, research opportunities, prestigious scholarships, and similar
  • A framework for managing uncertainty or a change of direction
  • An understanding of how to leverage your liberal arts education into a compelling case for post-graduate employment
Habits of Mind Expand

Threaded throughout all of these elements is a focus on helping first-year students develop habits of mind that characterize a strong and meaningful liberal arts education.  These include (in no particular order):

  • Curiosity
  • Openness
  • Strategies for managing and responding to feedback
  • Coping with failure and discomfort
  • Self-advocacy
  • Reflection
  • Persistence & resilience
  • Empathy & compassion
  • Self-development & self-improvement
Development of Community Expand

Perhaps most importantly, you should feel that you belong to the Austin College community and are a vibrant and contributing member of that community. You should feel ownership over your college experience, and the components of the first-year experience will help to embrace your individuality and find your place as part of ’RooNation.

JanTerm Orientation Expand

Throughout Jan Term 2021, the First-Year Experience will provide opportunities for first-year students to further engage with campus and get to know other students. All of the events are listed below--click on each event to learn more! We look forward to seeing you!

  • See the JanTerm Orientation Schedule

First-Year Seminar  |  Course Descriptions  |  Peer Mentors

Erin Copple SmithContact Us

By Email: firstyear@austincollege.edu

 

Dr. Erin Copple Smith
Director of First-Year Experience & Associate Professor of Media Studies
903.813.2282

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Karla McCainDr. Karla McCain
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of Mentoring & Professor of Chemistry
903.813.2437

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Sherman, TX 75090

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