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First-Year Experience

Coming to college is all about change. New friends, new academic challenges, new perspectives.

Johnson State College has introduced the First-Year Experience to help you succeed during this important life transition. Along the way, you will develop healthy connections with your peers and learn life skills you will carry for the rest of your life. The program includes the following components:

Summer Orientation

During this one-day session, you can choose classes for the fall semester, meet with your academic advisor, and get your ID photo taken and mailbox assigned.

Fall Orientation

Get familiar with the campus; meet administrators, faculty members and classmates; start planning your academic path at JSC; and participate in other fun and informative activities. It all takes place over the weekend before classes start. Learn more

Common Reading Initiative

As a first-year student, you will be participating in the JSC Common Reading Initiative, a program of lectures, discussions, exhibits, films, and concerts that complement the book. We've designed the program to introduce you to the academic and intellectual culture of the college through a common reading experience.

The fall 2011 Common Reading selection is Greasy Rider, by Greg Melville. The book chronicles a road trip across the country by two guys searching for a sustainable future.

Learn more about the book and the Common Reading Initiative.

First-Year Seminars

All first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 15 credits are required to take a first-year seminar. Each seminar is a three-credit, interdisciplinary course that is limited to 15 students. All seminars share seven key learning objectives, including critical analysis, information literacy and taking part in extended classroom experiences. Learn more about First-Year Seminars.

Creative Audience

A course without a classroom or set meeting time, Creative Audience requires students to attend a certain number of college events for credit. The program gives students the opportunity to take advantage of the wide range of programs offered at JSC and discover new ideas and interests. Learn more here.

First-Year Advisement Program

Academic advising at JSC aims to assist first-year students by:

• Helping you to identify academic and life goals
• Promoting engagement in the educational community
• Raising awareness of co-curricular activities
  

Learn more about first-year advising.

Residential Experience Program

Take advantage of several opportunities throughout the year to discuss and address typical first-year concerns such as homesickness, time management, healthy diet and nutrition, community living, roommate issues and peer pressure.

Service Learning

You can begin exploring service learning opportunities — an integral part of the JSC experience — as soon as you become a student here. Visit Change Your World to learn more.