What is Freshman Seminar?

Freshman Seminar is a three-semester hour, graded orientation course designed for first-semester freshmen. It helps students make a successful transition to college, discover the resources offered by Appalachian, strengthen skills, broaden individual horizons, and move toward intellectual and individual independence. It supports academic success by actively involving students in the learning process, developing academic strategies, building active learning communities, and encouraging responsible adjustment to college life. Students learn new classroom and computing skills, practice time management, discover their preferred learning styles, explore University support services, participate in campus cultural life, and search for what it means to be an educated person. Freshman Seminar draws on national models, extensive research, and Appalachian State University's Mission Statement for its conceptual framework. It aims to help first year students master the new challenges and unique opportunities of college.