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The Freshmen Year Experience at UCSB

The following is a list of programs and opportunities designed to help first-year students gain the skills and information necessary to ensure a successful college experience.

University Success Course

In order to assist first-year students in being successful at the university, UCSB offers a University Success Course, Interdisciplinary Studies 20 (INT 20). INT 20 is a 3.0 unit course that utilizes professional staff and student peer mentors to create a unique and positive learning environment. INT 20 introduces students to the role of higher education in society and their role, as students, within the community of scholars. Topics cover academic, social, and personal issues that are relevant to college students; students are encouraged to become active participants in making their experience what they want it to be. Check the Schedule of Classes published for winter and spring quarters; freshmen can enroll through GOLD and sophomores can contact the instructor for an add code. For more information about the course, visit http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/fyeor email the instructor at britt.andreatta@sa.ucsb.edu

Student Success Seminars

(Fall, Winter, Spring)

Each quarter, several workshops and programs are scheduled to address the needs and concerns of first-year students. Topics include major and career planning, finding housing, stress management, undergraduate research opportunities, academic advising and registration, and more! Programs are offered each quarter in the residence halls. Students will find information about these events in the monthly Frosh Mentor e-Newsletters (see below). For more information, or for details about requesting a particular program, contact the Office of Student Life, 893-3544.

Frosh Mentors

(FroshMentor@sa.ucsb.edu)

Mentors are available for one-on-one appointments to coach first-year students with regard to academic, personal, and social success. Both Frosh Mentors are full-time professional staff in the Office of Student Life who attended UCSB as freshmen. The easiest way to contact the Frosh Mentors is via email at FroshMentor@sa.ucsb.edu. Additionally, all freshmen will receive the monthly Frosh Mentor e-Newsletter, which features pertinent announcements, events, and advice. See www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/smt for more information about the Student Mentor Team.

Educational Programs

Each year, thousands of events are scheduled on a wide range of topics of interest to new and continuing students. Within each residence hall, the team of professional staff and student resident assistants plan educational and social programs specifically designed for their residents. These events are open to the residents and are, for the most part, free of charge. Students may also request special programming through their Resident Assistant. In addition to programming within the residence halls, several campus departments, programs, and organizations continually host workshops, performances, lectures, events, discussions, and activities. Students can learn about these programs through the campus newspaper, the monthly Frosh Mentor e-Newsletter, fliers posted around campus, printed calendars of events, or visiting the on-line campus events calendar at http://events.sa.ucsb.edu.

Scholars Program

The Scholars Program offers unique academic experiences outside of the classroom to students entering UCSB with a Regents or Chancellor's Scholarship. The mission of the program is to bring together student scholars from a variety of backgrounds and stimulate communication across all three academic colleges at UCSB. Students will encounter special opportunities for leadership development and community building including: membership in the Regents and Chancellor's Scholar's Society, invitation to a special faculty reception in the fall quarter, attending special faculty coffee hours, and the opportunity to attend a select number of special events with other students and faculty members. For more details about events, check out the Regents and Chancellor's Scholarship Society website at: http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/rcss/.