ADVISEMENT AND THE FIRST YEAR: INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES SOAR 2017
OVERVIEW FIRST‐YEAR EXPERIENCE • Vision, Support • Creating Realistic Expectations • First‐Year Seminar Global Citizens • Early Alerts/Academic Alerts
ADVISEMENT AND REGISTRATION • SOAR • Advisement More Broadly • “The Unassigned Homework” • Academic Policies • Family’s Role
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FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE VISION The First‐Year Experience at Georgia Southern University will prepare students to become self‐directed learners capable of authoring their own educational experiences.
CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT OUR COMMITMENT To meet students where they are if students are active in the process and willing to seek help.
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CREATING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS • College is different! • Haven’t I heard this before? • Conversations with Professors (FYE 1000) ⎻For new‐to‐college Students ⎻Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
FYE 1220: FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR • Introduction to college‐level learning and research skills • Thematic • Includes extended orientation content: goals and resources • Assignment for this afternoon: rank themes
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FYE 1410: GLOBAL CITIZENS • Engaging in global issues • Other internationalizing experiences • One‐hour, second semester • Taught by faculty across the University
EARLY ALERTS •Different “U” descriptors (grades, attendance, missing assignments) •By 8th week: grades early alert or “S” posted •If U: Meet with professor, advisor •Seek help! •Changes for Fall 2017
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ADVISING & REGISTRATION AT SOAR •Academic College Session • College/degree overviews • Info from your student • Preparations for this afternoon
•Pre‐advisement •Small‐group advising & registration • Usually finished by 5 p.m.
WHAT WILL MY STUDENT’S SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE? • Generally, 15‐16 hours • Balance • Reading/more hands‐ on • Personally challenging/courses that play to strengths • Across all five days, including Friday!
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ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT IN SPRING AND THE FUTURE
• College‐based • Mandatory each semester ⎻Different from many other comprehensive universities • Georgia Southern has invested: hired new staff • Individual appointments ⎻Essential to the university's student‐centered mission
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT IN SPRING AND THE FUTURE (continued)
• Should be an active process for students ⎻Advising is not only for when students struggle! ⎻Ask questions! • Advising different from registration
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http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/soarin4/
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THE UNASSIGNED HOMEWORK • Lead a student organization • Intentional work experience: Intern, intern, intern! • Master computer big three • Study abroad • Find a mentor
ACADEMIC POLICIES LIMITED WITHDRAWAL Five maximum in students’ undergraduate careers at Georgia Southern
FIRST‐DAY ATTENDANCE • Students must attend or they are dropped from course • Exceptions
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FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN ADVISING •Your interest: an important motivating factor •You know your student! •Ask questions: ⎻Have you gone in for advising?
YOU AND US •When offering specific academic advice . . . Be careful! •Best plan: Students should work closely with their advisor too!
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PARTING THOUGHTS •Help us by encouraging your student to take advantage of resources •FYE 1220 faculty & academic advisors are great first contacts
Chris Caplinger, Ph.D. Director, First‐Year Experience Georgia Southern University
[email protected] http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/fye 912‐GSU‐FYEX (478‐3939) Direct line: 912‐478‐1456
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