Developing a Plan: Getting Connected to Campus in the First-Year

This presentation helps students intentionally map out a plan for engagement on campus. The presentation prompts students to critically reflect on what their past experiences, where they are right now and what they want their future involvement experiences at USC to look like. This session engages in group discussion and individual reflection. Specifically, it will outline what integrative learning is at the University of South Carolina and students will leave with an intentional and personalized plan on how to connect what their learning in their classroom experiences and their beyond the classroom activities. . It expands on the Student Engagement Plan that can be found in Chapter 3 of Transitions.

Learning Outcomes
This presentation supports University 101 learning outcomes:

I. Foster Academic Success
d) Use written and oral communication to discover, develop, and articulate ideas and viewpoints.
e) Identify and apply strategies to effectively manage time and priorities
f) Identify relevant academic policies, processes, and procedures related to advising, course planning, and major exploration.

II. Help Students Discover and Connect with The University of South Carolina
a) Identify appropriate campus resources and opportunities that contribute to their educational experience, goals, and campus engagement.
b) Develop and apply skills that contribute to building positive relationships with peers, staff and faculty.

As a result of this presentation, students will be able to:

• Define what student engagement and integrative learning is at USC and understand how it can improve their college experience.
• Create S.M.A.R.T. goals
• Develop an involvement action plan that tailors their interests with their academic pursuits.

Program Description

Presentations will be given by graduate and professional staff in the Office of Student Engagement. The session will take a full class period and will be very entertaining, interactive and still allow for personal reflection and planning. Presenters will discuss what student engagement is and how it can improve the college experience. Much attention will be given to USC Connect and the university focus of integrative learning. Students will take a personal assessment of what their current involvement is on campus and discuss different ways to get connected around campus. Students will identify topics and areas they are interested in learning more about or getting involved with. After setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, they will develop an action plan for involvement. Additionally, presenters will help students create a mind map on how those results can connect to their academic and career goals.

Pre- Session activities:

• Attend the Student Organization Fair, Community Service Fair, Study Abroad Fair, or Major and Information Fair to learn what is happening on campus.
• Attend a student organization meeting
• Have students fill out the Student Engagement Inventory and part one of the Engagement Plan (OSE can provide these beforehand if you request them one week in advance)

Follow up activities. Activities or lesson plan materials that the instructors may use to further assess students understanding of the material

• Self-reflection Journal Prompts
• Integrative Learning Formal Paper Prompts or Assignments
• Attend a Campus Event as a class
• Integrative Mind Mapping as an assignment or part of an exam
• Integrative Mind Mapping as an in class activity where student draw out what their mind map looks like and shares with the class (banner paper and markers needed)
• ACE Coaching Appointment Referral (For Follow-up)

Notes:
This presentation is not recommended before September 7, 2012.
This can be used during the early part of the semester to help students plan how to get connected through the fall, or at the middle or end of the semester to help students reflect on what they have done so far and where they might want to go with the rest of their college career. Staff from OSE are happy to talk with instructors about the different ways it can fit into the syllabus.