Dixie State College of Utah
First Year Experience Course Materials
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Summer Information
Summer 2009 Orientation & Registration Schedule
2009 Orientation & Registration Agenda
Student Success Handbook 2009-2010
Sample Syllabi
First Day Activities
Introductions - sample lesson plan
"Thinking Outside the Box" -- first day learning activity
I. Orient students to a major/area of study or help them find one - Students will get an idea of where education can lead them by exploring different fields of study, degree options, and career opportunities.
1. Value of education - Students will understand the personal value of a college education in their intellectual development, degree attainment, career success, and quality of life.
2. General Education - Students will understand what general education is, the philosophy behind it, what areas are required, and how to choose courses that will interest them and fill the requirements.
General Education presentation (17 minutes)
Link to GE Requirements 7/1/2009
For discipline-specific courses:
3. Advisement - Students will have spoken to an adviser in their major or area of interest, and know what courses are required to complete a degree in their area of study.
4. Big picture - Students will know how their area of study relates to other similar areas.
5. Specialization - Students will know how their area of study is subdivided into specialties.
6. Career possibilities - Students will know some of the possible careers in their area of study.
7. Experience - Students will have an entry level experience in their field of study, and understand the kind of thinking and working which is typical of the field.
For open majors:
3. Choosing a major - Students will understand some strategies for identifying areas of study and careers that might interest them.
4. Big Picture - Students will understand what the major categories of knowledge are studies at the college level and how they relate to each other.
5. Degree options - Students will understand what degree options are available at DSC and identify at least one that they are interested in.
6. Advisement - Students will know how to find out the requirements to complete a degree in at least one area.
II. Orient students to Dixie State College - Students will feel the sense of confidence and belonging that come from "knowing the ropes" at Dixie State College.
1. Campus resources - Students will be able to identify what campus services exist, what they offer, where to find them, and when they are open. These include: Advisement, Bookstore, Campus Dining, Career Center, Cashier, Computer Labs, Disability Resource Center, Financial Aid, Learn and Serve Center, Library, Multicultural Center, Publications, School Relations, Security, Student Government and Student Activities, Student Support Services, Testing Center, Tutoring Center, Wellness Center, and Writing Center.
2. Campus locations - Students will be familiar with where academic buildings and student services buildings are located on campus.
How to Find Your Way Around - sample lesson plan
How to Find Your Way Around - list of buildings
3. DSC website - Students will know how to navigate the DSC website in order to find information such as the academic calendars, final exam schedule, department webpages, and so on.
4. Campus procedures - Students will know where to find information about campus procedures such as how to register, drop a class, etc.
5. Student rights and responsibilities - Students will understand what rights and responsibilities are discussed in DSC policy.
6. Extra-curricular activities - Students will understand the benefits of participating in activities outside of class, know what kinds of activities are available and where to find details about them, and reflect on how these activities have helped them to feel involved.
Getting Involved in College - sample checklist
III. Orient students to college life - Students will understand common challenges associated with college life and explore strategies for navigating these challenges.
1. Transition to college life - Students will become aware of how college life and expectations are different from high school, and how the course can help them deal with these challenges.
Making the Transition from High School to College - sample lesson plan
2. Campus safety - Students will be able to recognize unsafe situations and know what they can do to minimize their risk of becoming the victim of a crime.
Staying Safe on Campus - sample lesson plan
Staying Safe on Campus - sample handout
Staying Safe on Campus - sample questionnaire
2. Time management - Students consider the challenges to time management that they face as students, and learn some strategies to manage their time effectively.
3. Mixing school and work - Students will understand the recommended ratio of credit hours and work hours, and the effect that working too much can have on their academic performance.
4. Health and wellness - Students will understand the health and wellness issues that affect college students.
Health and Wellness - sample lesson plan
First Aid Kit - sample handout
3. Dealing with stress - Students will recognize sources of stress in their lives, understand how stress affects then, and know a variety of ways of coping with stress.
Dealing with Stress - sample lesson plan
Dealing with Stress - sample handout
5. Handling finances - Students will aware of the financial challenges facing college students, and know some strategies for dealing with them.
7. Diversity - Students will recognize different ways in which people can be different and some advantages to experiencing diversity. They will know some causes of prejudice and discrimination, and some strategies to overcome them and help to create an inclusive environment.
IV. Orient Students to Academic Skills - Students will gain academic confidence by refining critical academic strategies and skills that will help them achieve long-term academic success.
1. What to look for in a syllabus - Students will understand how to use a course syllabus to help them succeed in a class, including what a syllabus is for, and what kinds of information they contain.
How to Read a Syllabus -- sample lesson plan
How to Read a Syllabus -- sample handout
How to Read a Syllabus -- sample assignment
2. How to read a textbook - Students will recognize the value of college textbooks in helping them with course material, and (tips for successful reading)
How to Read a College Textbook - sample lesson plan
Reading Survey - sample introductory survey
Reading a Textbook - sample handout
Tips for Successful Reading -- sample handout
Reading a Science Texbook - sample assignment
3. How to talk to your professors - Students will understand the value of personal contact with professors, and have some tips for how and when to approach them and some common pitfalls to avoid.
How to Talk to Your Professors - sample lesson plan
4. Note-taking skills - Students will know some basic tips for taking notes in class, including what to take notes on, listening skills, avoiding distractions, coming prepared, and reviewing afterwards.
Note-Taking - sample lesson plan
5. Active studying techniques - Students will recognize the pitfalls of passive studying, and be exposed to a variety of strategies for active studying.
6. Study groups and networking - Students will know some advantages to studying with other students, have some ideas for how to get together with others, and know what kinds of things they can do in groups. They will also be familiar with the concept of networking, and how to begin practicing this skill early in their college career.
7. Test taking strategies - Students know a variety of techniques that can help them to perform better on exams. They will also be able to recognize test anxiety and know some strategies for dealing with it.
Test-Taking Stragtegies - sample lesson plan
Test-Taking Strategies - sample handout
Test Anxiety - sample handout
Test Anxiety - sample quiz
8. Academic Honesty - Students will understand how academic dishonesty harms themselves, fellow students, the college, and future employers or clients. They will be able to recognize different forms of academic dishonesty, and know what to do if they become aware of dishonest behavior.
9. Critical thinking - Students will be able to recognize different types of knowledge, including facts, concepts, processes, etc. They will have a basic understanding of the differences between recalling, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, creating thought processes.
10. Learning styles - Students will know how to determine what their preferred learning styles are, and how to take advantage of their preferred areas and strengthen their less preferred areas.
11. Service Learning - Students will know what service learning is, what advantages there are to participating, and how to get involved in service learning.