First Year Experience

The first semester of college is a time of transitions—from high school to college expectations, from home to a new community, from general education to a specific major, and from limited freedom to greater independence and individual responsibility. All of these changes can be very challenging. Ball State University faculty and staff are committed to helping you make the adjustments so that you can succeed both academically and personally.

We have created a multifaceted first-year experience to assist you in making these transitions. Here’s how you can make the most of it:

• Review your LASSI (Learning and Study Strategies Inventory) scores with your advisor during Orientation. The LASSI is designed to find out how you learn, how you study, and how you feel about learning and studying. Your academic advisor and the Learning Center staff can help you develop a plan to strengthen your study skills.
• Participate in the summer bridge programs sponsored by the Offices of Student Life and Recreation Services. These summer programs are designed to offer new freshmen the chance to travel, meet other students, learn important leadership skills, and prepare for your first year in college. For program descriptions and registration information, please visit the Student Life website.
• Read the Freshman Common Reader, Glass Castle by Jennette Walls. Attend the book discussion on Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. Attend the author’s presentation on Tuesday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Emens Auditorium.
• Participate in Welcome Week. The five days prior to classes beginning are full of activities, both academic and social, which will help you get to know the campus and meet other new freshmen. You will receive a brochure describing all the programs, some of which are mandatory.
• Attend Freshman Convocation on Sunday, August 21, at 2 p.m. in Emens Auditorium.
• Plan to participate in the many activities provided by your living-learning community which will be assigned based on your housing location. You may take a course with some of the people who live near you. Your community will also include professors, advisors, and hall directors (if you live on campus) who are available to help you in your transition to college and to help you feel connected to Ball State.
• Take the MAP (Making Achievement Possible) online survey to help you assess your adjustment during the first few weeks at Ball State. You will receive e-mail notification when the MAP survey is available. Your individual report will arrive via e-mail a few days after completing the survey. If you have questions or concerns regarding your results, you can contact your academic advisor and/or hall director.
• Pick up your free ticket to see the freshman play, The Circus in Winter in University Theatre: September 29, 30 and October 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m.
• Meet with your academic advisor.