First-Year Seminar
On this page:
Overview
In collaboration with Wright State’s degree-granting colleges, the Division of Student Success provides First-Year Seminars to first-year students who share academic and social interests.
A First-Year Seminar is a course with approximately 25 students who share similar interests, majors, or classes. Students get to know their First-Year Seminar group really well, allowing them to have a growing network of friends and people they can turn to when they have questions or need help. Many of these seminars are open to all majors.
- Wright State is one of three First-Year Seminar programs identified as exemplary and notable in Exploring the Evidence: Initiatives in the First College Year, National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition, University of South Carolina, 2008 (p. 77-81).
- Research on Wright State’s success with peer educators in First-Year Seminars and supplemental instruction, including a comparison of grades in gateway classes, was presented at the 30th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience in February 2011.
- Students who participate in Wright State First-Year Seminars have higher GPAs, persist and graduate at a higher rate compared to those students who do not participate in First-Year Seminars (Overview of Wright State First-Year Seminar, 2014, with data from Wright State Institutional Research).
Goals
Goal 1: Connect with Professors
The purpose of this Wright State University First-Year Seminar goal is to:
- Develop academic relationships with faculty members.
- Learn about opportunities to engage in high-impact programs:
- Study abroad
- Service-learning
- Co-ops and internships
- Undergraduate research
Goal 2: Achieve Academic Success
The purpose of this Wright State University First-Year Seminar goal:
- Information literacy
- Progress through Core Curriculum goals
- Learn how to study effectively in groups and individually
Multi-tasking and Your Brain Activity (PDF)
Goal 3: Confirm Major and Connect with Degree-Granting College
The purpose of this Wright State University First-Year Seminar goal is to:
- Understand degree requirements
- Develop a working relationship with academic advisor & learn how to use resources like uAchieve
Goal 4: Transition and Connect to College
The purpose of this Wright State University First-Year Seminar goal:
- Meet new friends
- Experience diversity
- Learn key campus resources
- Participate in campus lectures and events
- Find a balance between freedom and responsibility
- Learn the Raider Way:
- Civility
- Academic integrity
- Membership in the Raider community
Team Building Stacking It Up Exercise (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
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What's a First-Year Seminar?
A First-Year Seminar is:
- A small group of first-year students in a discussion-based class who share similar interests or majors
- A course designed to provide personal attention to you as part of a supportive college family
- An active learning environment intended to help new students learn the campus and make connections quickly
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How will you benefit from joining a First-Year Seminar?
- Make friends faster: build a network of friends with classmates you see several times a week
- Learn about campus programs and services
- Adjust to college faster
- Earn a higher GPA than those students who do not participate in First-Year Seminar
- Lower your stress levels during the first semester in college
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Who leads the First-Year Seminars?
Faculty and Peer Mentors are part of an instructional team that help facilitate learning outcomes for the First-Year Seminar.
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When should you enroll in a First-Year Seminar?
Wright State's tradition is for all freshmen to enroll in a First-Year Seminar their very first semester/term at Wright State. The First-Year Seminar will make your transition to college smooth and enjoyable, so it will be most beneficial in your first term.
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What First-Year Seminar are available for you to join?
Wright State offers many different kinds of First-Year Seminars, based on common academic, vocational, professional, or even sports or recreational interest.
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How do you sign up for a First-Year Seminar?
- When you register for Orientation for fall term, you will fill out a survey that will allow you to indicate your First-Year Seminar first, second, and third preferences.
- Some sections fill up fast, so select your First-Year Seminar preferences and attend Orientation early. An advisor will add additional classes to complete a full-time schedule when you come to campus for Orientation.
- If you are beginning classes in Fall, Spring, or Summer Semesters, contact University College at (937) 775-5750 for information on joining a First-Year Seminar.
For more information about First-Year Seminars, contact the First-Year Programs office at 937-775-5780.