FIRST Program
Students in the FIRST Program must meet a series of requirements to successfully complete the program. The requirements are designed to help students integrate into the University of Dayton community as learners and to help them access support that will help them have a strong start their academic experience.
FIRST Requirements
Students are required to enroll in, attend, and pass UDI 175: The Art and Science of Learning
In UDI 175, students explore their past experiences with learning, develop academic goals for their first year at the University of Dayton and longer-term professional goals, and work to develop skills and strategies that will help them manage their academic commitments and achieve their goals.
Students are required to enroll in, attend, and pass Introduction to the University Experience.
All first-year students at University of Dayton are enrolled in an Introduction to the University Experience course. In this course, students are introduced to university services, including academic support services (tutoring, the Write Place, Supplemental Instruction), disability services, the Health Center, and Counseling services. This course also introduces students to University processes around advising, declaring a major, and registering for courses.
Students are required to enroll in at least 1 course with SI support
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a peer-facilitated learning support program when an SI Leader attends class with students and then holds 2 one-hour review sessions a per week for students. During review sessions, students practice concepts, review key terms and ideas, and have the opportunity to ask questions about course material.
SI support is offered for courses in Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Math, Philosophy, Physics, and Religion.
Students are required to attend the FIRST Program Kickoff during the first week of the Fall Semester.
At kickoff, students will have the chance to meet their fellow FIRST students, the instructor for UDI 175 and the other FIRST Program support staff. They will also get a walk-through of the program requirements and expectations.
Parents are also invited to participate in orientation with their student. There will be events for parents and students to attend together, as well as events for parents only.
Students are required to attend the FIRST Program Welcome Back Meeting in the first week of Spring semester.
The Welcome Back meeting is an opportunity for students to reconnect with each other, learn about the events that will take place in Spring semester, and get an overview of what to expect and plan for as students in their second semesters.
In addition to the Program Requirements, FIRST students are also expected to engage with various aspects of university-life including academic support, social events, and mentoring opportunities.
Program Expectations
Students are expected to make use of at least one academic support resource on a regular basis during both semesters of their first year.
Support resources include
Students are expected to meet with an Academic Coach at least once each semester of their first year.
Academic coaching is a one-on-one meeting with a staff member that focuses on helping the student to identify barriers to academic success, to find solutions to overcome those barriers, and to help students develop skills that will help them be successful in the classroom.
Students are expected to participate in FIRST events throughout the semester.
The FIRST program holds events throughout the semester that are designed to help build community among the students and to help them navigate university processes. Events include social gatherings, meals, and workshops about preparing for advising, filing for financial aid, choosing a major, and taking advantage of experiential learning opportunities (i.e. internships, study abroad, service learning courses).
Students are expected to meet with a peer-mentor at least once each semester of their first year.
The FIRST program has peer mentors--students who have completed the FIRST program--that meet with students to help them in their transition to college and with navigating their college experience.
Students who successfully complete the program have the opportunity to apply to become mentors for the next year.
Students are expected to engage with the campus community by joining a club or organization, working an on-campus job, or participating in an university-sponsored music, theater, or sports program.
Students who engage with peers on campus are more likely to report being happy and feeling comfortable on campus. They are also more likely to make friends and connections that can help them navigate university life. Being engaged in campus life is also an important part of developing marketable skills like leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.