Author: Chelsea R.

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Welcome to UA!

Welcome to the University of Alabama! Whether you came from the other side of the United States or just a couple miles away, adjusting to the “college life” may be a little difficult at first, but have no fear!

  1. If you ever find yourself wondering if you fit in at The University of Alabama, the answer is yes! Check out Get On Board Day on August 26-27, 2020, from 5-9 p.m. to see what organizations spark your interest. It’s a chance to connect with others and starting making UA your home away from home! For more information on Get on Board Day, visit ua.edu.
  2. Feeling overwhelmed with all of the opportunities that UA has to offer? We recommend choosing three programs or organizations to join. One that makes you feel at home, one that takes you out of your comfort zone, and one that supports your academic or career interests.
  3. With multiple classes, lots of time to nap, and extracurricular activities going on in your life, you may find it hard to manage your time. We recommend printing out your syllabi for easy access and buying a planner or calendar to mark important dates so that you will be prepared for the unexpected!
  4. If it all gets overwhelming, we are here to support you! Sign up for a Compass Talk, send us an email at fye@ua.edu with your questions, or visit with an FYE Navigator by scheduling an appointment!

Ready, Set, Fresh Start for You!

Dear First Year Students,

Welcome back to The University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa! The spring semester tends to bring new opportunities and a fresh start. Last semester, if things didn’t go as well as you had hoped with academics or friendships, there is always the hope and excitement that comes with the new year! Many of you may be relieved to be back at school and not having to deal with the rules that come with living at home. Some of you may be stressing to find roommates and an apartment to live in next year. Others may be wondering how to meet new people or what to do on the weekends without football games. Whatever you may be experiencing, remember that you aren’t stuck in any situation permanently and things can always improve.

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So you “bombed” your first test…

Let me set the scene for you: I have been a straight-A student since I was in kindergarten. In high school I took all AP and honors classes, while juggling numerous clubs and sports, and maintaining a social life. The hardest I ever studied was for my AP exams and that usually consisted of me spending the entire day before the test cramming at a coffee shop. Schoolwork has always come easily to me, so when I went to Bama Bound the summer before freshman year I didn’t think twice about signing up for Honors Biology. A few days before the first test I made some flashcards—because I was in college now and wanted to start preparing “early” for my exams, and when I took the test I felt fine about it. I felt fine at least until I calculated my grade a few days later. I had failed my first test of college—and I mean FAILED. I immediately panicked wondering what I could have possibly done wrong. I went to all the class meetings, I did all the homework and readings, and I even began to study a few days in advance! After a night of crying to my parents over Facetime and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream, I decided that all I could do was try harder next time.

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You’re Here…Now What?

You’ve been thinking about this day for years, preparing for it for months, counting down the days to it for the entire summer, and now here it is staring at you face to face. Move in day has finally arrived and on the surface you are probably bursting with joy, giddy with excitement about all the possibilities and freedom lying directly ahead of you! You’re a “college kid” now—you make your own schedule and play by your own rules! You can stay out all night and sleep in all day, and in a few months you’ll come home for the holidays with that “grown up glow” because you will have it “all together.” You have the perfect timeline for you freshman year: you’ll be best friends with your roommate, get into all the organizations you go out for, miraculously avoid the freshman 15, and make straight A’s while maintaining a great social life. You have it all planned out, and you’re on the fast track to success! That is until you watch your parents’ car disappear into the skyline headed back home and you’re standing on the curb of an unfamiliar dorm, at an unfamiliar school, surrounded by a terrifying number of unknowns, choices, and people you barely know.

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Preparing for Life at The Capstone

Incoming Freshman,

Hello, it’s me again! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! In just a few short weeks, you will be an official student at the University of Alabama. At this point, many of you have already gone to Bama Bound and gotten a good taste of life at the Capstone. I hope it was an amazing experience full of new knowledge and new relationships. While at Bama Bound, there are several things we hoped you accomplished. First and foremost, you should have signed up for Fall 2017 courses using the Alabama course catalog. You also should have received additional help from Academic Advisors. Choosing classes may have seemed a bit stressful in the beginning, but it becomes easier each year. It is also important to remember that in case you change your mind or make a mistake, classes can be added and dropped until August 30th without receiving a “W”.

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