First-year seminars allow students to experience of an environment designed especially designed to address first-year concerns while simultaneously delivering the material of a course. Most first-year students will take some classes that have larger enrollments. In addition, these courses will have a mix of upperclassmen and freshmen. First-year seminars have no more than 25 students per class, which allows students to receive personalized attention from the professor. As such, students in first-year seminars get to explore material in greater detail, learn in a more discussion driven format, and discuss concerns related to the first-year. Faculty in first-year seminars serve as their students’ academic advisors also.
A first-year seminar is a good idea for a student if . . .
- you are interested in a particular major and would like to know more about it.
- you are a part time first-year student.
- your personal schedule demands considerable time off campus.
First-year seminar instructors are come from diverse backgrounds with degrees from excellent schools. They include published authors, department chairs, members of the administration, and prestigious teaching-award winners. All of the teachers in the first-year seminar program are involved because they have a deep passion for helping new students succeed.
Registering for a first-year seminar is like registering for any other course. You have to look for first-year seminars in the schedule, though. Many of the courses offered as first-year seminars are not the only sections of that particular course being offered this semester. So, if you want the seminar, you have to be sure to choose the section designated as a first-year seminar. The best way to do this is to register for only the section of the course with the call number listed on the page to your left. This will ensure you get the section designated as the first-year seminar.
