The First Year at AC

As new members of ’RooNation, First-Year Experience is your opportunity to learn what being a ’Roo really means.

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

First-Year Experience will connect you to the mission of Austin College through shared experiences like First-Year Seminar and Transfer orientation. It will also teach you the shared expectations for participation in our community through programming like First-Year Information (FYI). 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!).divider

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

Living & Learning in Community

Foundation for Academic Skills

Intentional Planning for your College Career

Promotion of Wellness

First-Year Seminar

Don't expect to be in the typical College 101 courseDuring the fall term of the freshman year at Austin College, every freshman takes a course called First-Year Seminar (FYS). Each FYS course is taught by a faculty member on a topic of their choosing, providing you with an introduction to the intellectual life of the College as well as guidance in navigating the college experience. In short, the First-Year Seminar works to develop your communication abilities and your skills of intellectual inquiry to set you up for success in the rest of your college career.

Diving into first year seminar courses with titles such as:

“Hoaxes, Cons, and Scams”,
“Living in the Nuclear Age”,
“Homes, Domes and Yurts: Sustainable, Innovative & Alternative Architecture”
And more!

The professor of your course becomes your faculty mentor and advises you for the rest of your time at Austin College. See the Mentoring tab to learn more.

The course will also include peer mentors in the form of Austin College students who function as leaders within the First-Year Seminar. These students are hand selected by each faculty member and provide the “insiders’ view” to life at the College.

FYI Program

First-Year Information (FYI)

These resources are delivered where they impact students the most: where students live.FYI is a comprehensive monthly program designed to help first-year students benefit from peer support and more structured intentional interactions. This proactive program complements the academic mission of the College by providing first-year students with the best resources the College has to offer when they need it most.

September

Your 'Roo-Sources

Students learn about different offices on campus and the resources they provide.

October

Study Smarter

Students rotate through different stations where they can get advice on topics such as time management, learning styles, note-taking, and study strategies in different disciplines.

November

Health & Wellness

Students learn about mental health and wellness resources available at Austin College.

January

Housing Info

Students will get the crucial information they need ahead of making housing choices for the sophomore year.

February

Finding Opportunities

Students will activate their profiles in Handshake (job and internship posting platform) in order to find internship opportunities.

March

Alumni Connections

Students will speak with Austin College alumni to learn about their experiences as students and beyond.

April

Sophomore State of Mind

Students will hear from a panel of current sophomore students speaking on topics relevant to rising sophomores.

Transfer Community

Welcome to Austin College!

Transfer Student Orientation is designed to help you think about how you will connect, contribute and create during your time at Austin College! We look forward to meeting you.

CONNECT

We think the best way to feel right at home is to learn your way around the programs, services, and opportunities available to all ’Roos. At Orientation, you will connect with your new community where we will show you around campus and introduce you to your mentors and fellow students.

CONTRIBUTE

We’re glad your path has brought you to Austin College, and we look forward to the ways you will share the experience and knowledge that you bring with you. Your new college home has the usual opportunities: residential life, challenging academics, and social activities. And Austin College offers places and ways to use your talents in unique clubs, organizations, research projects, fine arts, and so much more.

CREATE

Now that you are here, you can envision the exciting path ahead. The Compass Curriculum has built-in flexibility for not only pursuing your passion but also exploring new things. Here, you can create the ultimate vision board that will lead to a fulfilling life and career.

Resources & Other Information

Mentoring

Every student at Austin College has a faculty mentor who serves as your academic advisor throughout your time at Austin College. The instructor of your First-Year Seminar course will become your mentor. Each First-Year Seminar will have a different topic, depending on the faculty member’s expertise, but will also have activities designed to help students adjust academically to college life and in learning how to use the resources of the institution such as the Center for Student Success and Access Services, the Abell Library, and the Scarbrough Writing Center. Because of the special relationships formed in the First Year Seminar classroom, students usually choose to stay with their original mentor. However, you will have the option to change your mentor any time after your first semester.

Your faculty mentor will meet with you each semester and will guide you in selecting courses, choosing your major and minor, and completing your overall degree plan. As part of the advising process, you will also discuss your career interests and aspirations and steps for achieving these goals. These steps will include course work, but also other opportunities such as internships, study abroad, undergraduate research projects, and even summer experiences. As you continue to develop personally and intellectually, your mentor will be there to support and guide you. The collaboration of you and your faculty mentor will maximize your time Austin College and set you on the right path for your future.