Step 1
Beginning Your College Experience

• Am I commited to college?
• What is a mentor and how do you find one?
• What is academic integrity and how do you practice it?
• What is plagiarism and how do you avoid it?
• How do I manage my money?
• Where do I go for help?

Modified: 2023-08-23 9:47 PM

Making a Commitment

• Do I really want to be here?
• Will I graduate in four years? Six years?
  • USA - 55% graduate in six years
  • AR - 38% graduate in six years
• College is different from high school
  • More diversity
  • Time management contributes to success
  • Less frequent tests
    • In England, the tradition was ONE test at the end of the term!
  • You are on your own
  • More academic freedom
  • More lectures
  • More work
• Traditional (18-25) vs. Non-traditional (>25 aka returning students)
  • Non-trads tend to get better grades
  • Non-trads tend to be more anxious about college
• Success and Goals
  • What are your goals?
  • Are they achievable?
    • Can I get into med school with a 2.0 GPA?
    • Can I fly jets for the Navy with 20/60 uncorrectable vision?
  • Are you sure of your goals?
    • Are they your goals?
    • I did want to go to medical school. That was my mom's idea.
  • What obstacles might prevent you from reaching your goals?
  • Do you have a realistic strategy for achieving your goals?

Mentors

• What is a mentor?
  • Someone who is already doing something you want to do AND who is willing to help you do the same.
• Successful people find mentors.
• Instructors are the most likely source of mentors for college students
• How to find a mentor:
  • Go to class and be punctual
  • Participate in class
  • Ask for constructive criticism
    • Use the book?
• Visit and get to know your instructors

Academic Integrity

• Plagiarism
  • Intellectual property must be protected
• Cheating
  • Impedes learning
  • Unethical
  • Can become habitual
  • How to Avoid College Cheating (Washington Post)
  • Cheating Trends
• Avoiding Cheating
  • Know the rules
    • What did your instructor tell you about using AI in your class?
  • Say "no" to requests to cheat
  • Don't get behind and be tempted to cheat
  • Get academic help
  • Withdraw from the course and take it again or change your goals

Dollars and Sense

• Budget your money
  • Assets and Debits
  • Working part-time and full-time
  • Credit Cards and interest rates
• Avoid financial trouble
  • Identity theft
  • Don't give out your financial information
  • You have to pay your ATM or credit card debt at some point
  • Don't put creditors off
• Keep your expenses down
  • Apply for aid
  • Meet your deadlines
  • Look for aid in your department
  • Get an on-campus job

Where to go for help at SAU

• Academic Advising and Assistance
• Counseling Center
• Career Services
• Financial Aid
• Health Services
• Housing
• Information Technology Services (Computers)
• Scholarships
• University Police Department
• Testing Center and Disability Support Services
• Writing Center

Back to Freshman Seminar