What should I try to accomplish in my first year at Alma?
You may have been told that selecting a major is the first and most important task at college. This is an immediate intimidation factor for many students! In reality, your first year has a much broader form.
The first-year experience is where you begin to:
- Assume greater responsibility for learning and life choices
- Develop life skills for independent thinking and learning
- Acquire specific college level academic skills (check out the Success Manual!)
- Question professors, employers and other professionals about their career paths
- Investigate connections between interests, skills, abilities, careers and educational plans
In addition, since you have selected Alma College, you will want to:
- Understand and appreciate the liberal arts philosophy on which Alma College is based
- Become aware of the requirements for general education (DR system)
- Investigate the Academic and Career Planning Office (ACP Office)
- Become familiar with Alma College policies and resources:
- Browse this website (and not just the first year pages)
- Investigate the Alma College on-line catalog
- Identify campus resources (what offices exist and what help they provide)
- Learn about the advising and course registration system
A pretty tall order, but luckily, there's plenty of time to accomplish this and more. Expect to work closely with advisors, instructors and other staff to shape your Alma experience. Be alert to possible opportunities to make the Alma Experience totally unique to you!
Have a great First Year!
