First-Year Experience

GSU 1210:  University Orientation

GSU 1210 is a one-credit-hour, academic course that extends the orientation process into a student's first semester at Georgia Southern.  It is required of all students in their first semester except transfer students who enter with thirty or more hours.  Beginning in Fall 2008, GSU 1210 will be replaced in the University curriculum by FYE 1220, a two-hour seminar that combines the objectives of GSU 1210 and an academic, theme-based introduction to college-level inquiry.  GSU 1210 will not be offered after Summer 2008.  

Catalog Description

Designed to help first-year students understand the purpose of a college education, learn about college resources and requirements, explore values and interests, learn to make decisions and realistic choices, explore career objectives and programs of study, and establish supportive relationships with faculty and staff. Required during the first semester for undergraduates new to the university (except transfer students with thirty or more hours); students may not withdraw.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to . . .

1. Examine societal rationales for supporting college education and their own personal motivations for attending college.

2. Locate Georgia Southern resources and services necessary for their academic and personal success.

3. Analyze their use of time in relation to their goals and either: 1) develop a plan to align their use of time more closely with their goals; or, 2) defend their use of time as appropriate for achieving their goals.

4. Describe and explain academic expectations in relation to their course of study.

5. Identify different learning styles, evaluate which learning styles are most effective for their academic success, and develop personal strategies for learning that take into account their preferred learning styles.

6. Examine common college-student choices and relate them to their academic and personal circumstances.