At first glance, colleges and universities across the country look much the same to prospective students and their parents. They all offer a variety of classes, fields of study, amenities for resident students and/or commuters, and a variety of sports, activities and organizations. But what about the students who get overwhelmed at the thought of college or those who cannot decide on a major? What do these institutions offer them?
Starting college can be stressful for many students. In high school they knew the people in their classes, the way things worked and what it took to succeed. Then they graduated and left the “comfort zone” of high school.
To help students adjust to college life, many colleges and universities have implemented First-Year Experience programs. Students participate in special sessions where they are introduced to practical guidelines on the academic issues they’ll face their first year and strategies that will help them succeed in college. They learn how to manage their time, hone their skills and connect with other students.
Some incoming freshmen have a difficult time deciding on a major, so they declare to be “undeclared.” Studies have found that approximately 20 percent of all students are undeclared when they begin college, and that about 80 percent change their majors at least once before making a final determination. Choosing the right major requires careful planning and consideration. Some colleges recommend that the best time to “try out” courses, as well as to learn more about their talents, skills and interests, is during a student’s first two years.
Many institutions have responded to these trends and statistics and are now offering exploration programs that allow students to progress at their own pace, become part of a learning community with other undeclared students, and receive lots of personal attention and counseling about majors and classes. As their future unfolds, students explore options and interests as they discover their talents and aptitudes.
Students also build relationships and support systems by attending linked classes with other students who are undeclared. Through linked learning, students strengthen their critical-thinking and problem solving skills as they explore topics in depth. Students who have been a part of learning communities report that they were highly motivated to learn, found their learning to be meaningful, and as a result, experienced success in college.
To help students blaze their own trails to success, the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, offers the Academic Exploration Program (AEP) specifically designed for college freshmen and sophomores who have not declared a major and who want to investigate all the various options. AEP helps students challenge themselves with upper-level courses, team projects, oral presentations, research projects, independent studies, cooperative education, and academic internships.
The Mount is an undergraduate and graduate Catholic college of 2,200 students that provides an interdisciplinary liberal arts and professional curriculum emphasizing values, service and social responsibility. U.S. News & World Report ranks the Mount as one of the Best Master’s Universities in the Midwest in the 2007 edition of America’s Best Colleges.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/CD/first_year_fear.htm
