THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Starting a university education is an exciting time. It's a time when the social sphere widens, interests deepen, and the challenges of keeping up with everything become even greater. During this transitional time, students can find it rewarding (and relaxing) to cultivate supportive groups and activities that will help ease the transition and promote academic success. With this in mind, Shepherd has created an innovative program of First-Year Experience courses. These courses offer creative ways to help students acclimate to university life, integrate into the campus community, and enjoy academic success. And by the way, the courses are even fun!

Within the First-Year Experience are several different types of courses designed to meet the needs of different types of students. The course types range from Learning Communities, to Interest Groups, to Orientations, to Honors Core courses.

Types of courses offered within the First-Year Experience:

• Learning Communities provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to required General Education courses. Students develop their writing skills by writing within a discipline like political science, biology, or music.
• Interest Groups give students an opportunity to meet in a small group with a mentor. These groups focus on a common interest while emphasizing important university survival skills.

Each type of First-Year Experience course is explained in more detail below.

Learning Communities

Learning communities are designed to link courses that students need to enroll in as part of the general studies program. A cohort of students enrolls in both courses, and professors teaching the courses work together to interface course material. In some cases, the two professors team-teach and are involved in both courses. Often, the professors work together outside of the classroom to form links in course material. Relevant field trips are also part of the learning community experience. Credits are awarded based on credits assigned to each course in the learning community.

Examples of Past Learning Community Courses:

Written English linked with Politics and Government
Written English linked with American Federal Government
Written English linked with Biology
Written English and Introduction to Music

Interest Groups

Interest groups are limited to 15 students who work with a faculty member, staff member, or administrator throughout the first semester. Students enroll in one of these groups because an interest attracts them. Sample interests include politics, fly fishing, candy-making, and leadership. The semester consists of several small group sessions where students get to work with the mentor on the interest itself and other topics related to transition to college life. Three large-group sessions, with all students in the interest group coming together, focus on topics like college survival skills, wellness, and diversity. A culminating celebration completes the semester. Course credit: 1 hour

Examples of Past Interest Group Courses:

Get involved: politics and the election
Are you a political junkie? Join this interest group to explore politics in general and the upcoming election. Participants will delve into topics such as civic engagement, leadership, and the hard work and strategic planning necessary to run a campaign. These topics have relevance to students' experiences in the first year of college.

Catch the big one: learn how to fly fish
Being a fisherman and being a student both require patience, time management, and disciple. Try your skills in this hands-on interest group, which will delve into fly tying, fly casting, knots, and equipment. Fly rods, reels, lines, and fly tying kits are provided.

Candy Making: the sweet life
Could collegiate life and candy making possibly have anything in common besides both starting with the letter "c"? Believe or not, there are more similarities than you think! This experiential course will allow you to learn about both areas and the parallels that exist between these two unlikely matches.

Comedy: Warning!! Sense of humor required
LOL!!! What makes you laugh? Why is that funny? What roles have humor and comedy played in our world? Join us to explore the world of laughs, and share in our journey to understand why we like to laugh. See how a little laugh in your life can help make the university experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

If you have questions about any of the First-Year Experience courses, please contact Judi McIntyre, Director of the First-Year Experience Program, Stutzman-Slonaker 107, ext. 5396 or at jmcintyr@shepherd.edu.