First Year Students
The transition from high school to college life can be confusing, if not overwhelming for many students. Many campus offices provide services to support students as they become accustomed to life at the U of A.
Career Services
The Office of Career Services starts working with students as early as the freshman year. Through their interactive website, career counseling appointments, and career resource library, Career Services assists students as they choose majors and career paths. They also guide students in their efforts to gain work experience in their professional areas of interest.
The Difference between High School and College (PDF)
From academics through socializing, college is a completely different world than high school. Preparation for these major life changes, ability to manage time, and willingness to take responsibility for one's academic and personal lives are key to the successful college experience.
First-Year Colloquia Courses
First-year colloquia are one-unit courses that allow students to explore areas of academic interest in a small-group setting, working directly with a faculty member. These courses were designed in an effort to address the problem of student alienation on this large campus by bringing first year students into small-group contact with members of the professoriate. Currently offered colloquia can be found in the Schedule of Classes.
Major Exploration
With over 100 majors available at UA, it is no wonder that students often have difficulty selecting a major of interest. The advisors at University College provide advising to students with no major, as well as those who are considering a change of major. Major exploration advising includes self-assessment, examination of available majors, and career exploration.
Multicultural Affairs and Student Success (MASS)
MASS provides a variety of support systems to first-generation, economically disadvantaged, and minority students. Services include tutoring, peer advising, study groups, computer labs, and cultural centers. MASS aims to increase student success and retention by providing support services and smaller communities on this large campus.
Math and Science Tutoring Resource (MASTR)
The MASTR program provides drop-in/group tutoring in math and science, as well as in other popular courses such as Spanish and Accounting, and academic coaching for struggling students. These services are free to UA students, and can provide great support to new students as they become accustomed to university coursework. MASTR also provides referrals for private tutors.
University Learning Center (ULC)
The ULC provide a variety of services to support students as they take responsibility for their educations and become lifelong learners. The ULC offers self-assessments, academic counseling, and online and in-person workshops that focus on topics such as test-taking, learning styles, time management, and stress management. These services, which are useful to students at all stages in their education, may be especially valuable to new students acclimating to university life.
