Orientation Your orientation is made to prepare you for life at your chosen college! First year orientation includes meeting other students and getting you familiar with campus services or traditions. If you're moving to a university with housing, you'll usually be asked to stay overnight, then there will be fun activities too! A lot of colleges now include parent orientations, because they are also making a big transition.
During your orientation, you'll probably meet with an academic advisor to lay out your plan for classes for the year. Make sure you're aware of what you should be taking, especially if you plan to transfer or apply to selective program (like nursing, business, honors college, etc). If you're living on campus, try to plan your classes so they aren't really early in the morning, and aren't too far away from your dorm. PRO TIP: Make sure lunch is nearby!
Academic Advisor You will always have an academic advisor available to you, just like you have a college adviser at your high school! Set up an appointment and go meet them early on in the semester (maybe they already met you when you registered for classes) to introduce yourself and make sure you're on track. Each department usually has their own academic advisor, so look on their staff directory and find them.
If you're a pre-professional student, such as pre-med, pre-vet, or pre-dental, you'll also have an advisor for that in addition to your major advisor.
They work with you to create a specific plan tailored to your interests and life goals. Advisors can assist in: exploring majors, preparing requirements, reviewing policies, developing class schedules and much more.
There are plenty of academic resources available to you on campuses. These include:
Library
Writing workshops/centers
Math workshops/centers
Individual tutoring
Specific class or subject extra instruction
TA/Professor office hours (this is the best resource!)
MANAGING ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS Syllabi are outlines the subjects, rules, and expectations for a class. Professors will and should always have them available to you in-person or online. If you have a question about the course, check the syllabus for an answer first! Syllabi usually include:
Basic information: name of the course, professor, and TA(s), when, and location of the course
Course description
Learning goals
Required texts
Weight/point value of assignments, projects, and exams
Grading scale
Course policies, can include codes of honor and plagiarism
Class schedule, important dates, and readings
CLICK ME FOR AN EXAMPLE SYLLABUS Lecture Hall/Classroom Etiquette Lecture halls and classrooms can range from tiny (10 people) to huge (over 500!) Make sure you show up on time, don't goof off (you're wasting your time and MONEY if you do!), raise your hand if you have a question, leave the room to take a phone call, and take notes. And yes, you can just get up to leave to use the bathroom, just ask someone to watch your stuff!
Professors/Teaching Assistants (TAs) The biggest difference between high school and college is that college professors and teaching assistants will NOT chase after you to turn in assignments/projects or be on time for exams. Late work is usually never accepted. However, in unusual circumstances, such as a death in the family, serious illness with a doctor's note, or a car accident with proof, you can have extra time to complete assignments or take an exam. Just communicate this information with them as soon as possible. Office hours are one of the least utilized resources while in college, so take advantage of them! If you get to know your professors and TAs, they're more likely to help you in a pinch.note-takingWhile you're in lecture, make sure you are actively paying attention. Get down the core information and add more if you hear something relevant. Check out these common note-taking methods (Cornell and Outline) and see which works best for you.
PRO TIPS:
Start a new lecture on a new page.
Don't write full sentences!
Make note of any unfamiliar words or concepts to look them up later.
Consider rewriting or typing up your notes to study!
Different classes require different things. READ THE SYLLABUS! A common phrase is that there is one hour of homework for every hour of class each week. Use a planner to organize your deadlines!
Exams Sometimes classes have just one midterm and one final exam, others have cumulative exams and no midterm, etc. Quizzes also occur, whether to be for attendance purposes or for a larger grade. It depends on the course. Exams usually weigh the most on your grade. READ THE SYLLABUS!
Make sure to take the time to study for your exams! If you don't show up on time, it's an automatic zero.