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First Year Experience

FYE is a 1-credit hour course designed to bridge every incoming student’s orientation program to their first successful weeks of classes at Wilmington College.

ID 120 Course Description:

This is a dedicated FYE course taught during the first 8-week abbreviated session of fall term. The course will focus on an introduction to Wilmington College, Quakers, adaptation to college life, study skills, introduction to campus services and facilities, and other life skills. This course will also include a unified “summer” reading and additional course materials used to introduce the areas of thought and expression (as well as applied fields) and serve as a first introduction to advising with the creation of a 4-year education plan. Transfer students are not required to take this course


Course Goals

The purpose of this course is to help students adjust to the demands of college courses and various aspects of college life beyond their classroom experience. In addition, students will: 

Reflect on their own values

The course first introduces students to WC's own Quaker heritage, history, and core values. Students will then engage with these values and consider their significance in their own lives and educational experiences. Students will also participate in the annual Westheimer Peace Symposium event.

Gain an understanding of the liberal arts and general education, including how these interact with the applied fields at Wilmington College

Students will be introduced to the required element of their majors and minors, the general education program and all WC graduation requirements. They will use the component of a liberal arts education to build their individual advising program maps. 

Explore the Wilmington College community, its opportunities and resources 

Orientation and the welcome week on campus introduce students to an array of clubs, activities, and travel opportunities. We check in with these as a class to make sure your student is finding their "people" and places where they can feel comfortable on campus. In addition to that, our Wellness Center offers medical and mental health services, and the Quaker Recreation Center in Hermann Court has a full gym, court facilities, spin rooms, and a pool for all your fitness needs. We are here to support your whole person! 

Review study skills techniques to apply in their classes 

College is a new chapter, and the work can be different from high school. The FYE course is designed to equip you with the necessary tips and strategies for the types of assignments, note-taking, and workload that freshmen often encounter. We also want to assure you that support is always available. All WC students have full access to the Student Resource Center, the Student Success Center, the Math and Writing Centers, which offer free academic support. We’re here to help you thrive! 

Receive an introduction to “life skills” such as budgeting both time and money 

Students will have the opportunity to also do some personal exploration with the various choices provided by the self-navigated assignments. The options include self-awareness, life & study skills, and techniques for managing stress and communication.