K-State First Brochure

Making the most of your first year W W W. K - S TAT E . E D U / F I R S T

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A great college experience starts with

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A G R E AT F I R S T Y E A R

College is an adventure, and having good friends and mentors to relate to and learn from makes for a great experience. Connect with other first-year students in K-State First programs. Explore college life, share the experience, make it yours.

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Kansas State University has a wide selection of opportunities just for first-year students. K-State First will help you succeed as you begin your first year of college.

Within our programs, you’ll have the chance to connect with students and faculty, and you’ll learn with them in the classroom and beyond.

Imagine yourself on campus at K-State.

BE FIRST

Read this guide.

Visit www.k-state.edu/first to learn more about how to get involved.

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Find the right

K - S TAT E F I R S T P RO G R A M S for you

THE PROGRAM

WHAT IT IS

WHO IT’S FOR

MORE INFO

CAT Communities

Small groups of students with similar interests take courses together

All first-year students

Turn to page 6

First-Year Seminar

Small classes with lots of interaction

All first-year students

Turn to page 8

GPS

A K-State professional invests in you and your first-year experience

All first-year students

Turn to page 10

KSBN

All-university reading program

All students

Turn to page 12

Email us at kstatefirst@k-state.edu with questions.

Start your first day at K-State.

Talk to your academic advisor at orientation and enrollment about K-State First offerings.

Meet new friends and interact with professors through K-State First programs.

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C AT C O M M U N I T I E S One interest, endless connections

The program

Connecting Across Topics, or CAT Communities, connect students with similar interests through two regular courses taken together and another one-hour opportunity to discover course connections.

How you’ll benefit • • • • •

Learn in a small community.

Earn credit toward general education requirements.

Take courses tailored around your interests.

Attend campus events with your group.

Make new friends who share your interests.

Who it’s for First-year students

Act now

Before orientation and enrollment, visit www.k-state.edu/first to see upcoming CAT Community offerings and email kstatefirst@k-state.edu to sign up. Space is limited.

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“As the learning assistant, I helped organize tours of local restaurants and businesses so students could see what areas might interest them. The class is a hands-on experience and really shows students what this industry is like.”

“My instructor and learning assistant offered practical and helpful advice about academics and college life. I made great friends and learned so much in a safe and comfortable environment.”

Kale Hamm Hotel and restaurant management major CAT Community learning assistant Waverly, Kansas

Merabeth Corbett Hotel and restaurant management major Business of Hospitality CAT Community 2011 Oakley, Kansas

Connect to K-State with

C AT C O M M U N I T I E S Imagine yourself in a CAT Community.

Expert faculty member

DAS 199 Making the Ultimate Playlist: American Culture Revealed [CAT Community Connections Class]

You

Undergraduate learning assistant

MUSIC 245 Intro to American Music [Regular lecture section]

ANTH 200 Intro to Cultural Anthropology [Regular lecture section]

Want to live with your CAT Community friends?

Join a Residential CAT Community and: • Establish immediate friendships in your residence hall.

• Have built-in study partners every day of the week.

• Eat dinner with your professor, and attend on-campus events.

Visit www.k-state.edu/first to find the perfect CAT Community for you

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FIRST-YEAR SEMINARS Small classes, big gains

“As an out-of-state student, I came to campus completely on my own, and the First-Year Seminar class really helped me begin to expand my K-State family. The professor and students in these courses are people I’m so glad to know. This was easily the best experience of my freshman year.”

Danny Foster Secondary education major Earth in Action Seminar Broken Bow, Nebraska

Examples of First-Year Seminars • • •

Introduction to Literature Insects and People Introduction to Leadership Concepts

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The program

Do more than just go to class. Ask questions, interact with professors and feel comfortable in classes with 22 or fewer students.

How you’ll benefit • • • •

Learn in an interactive environment.

Connect with classmates and professors.

Earn credit toward general education requirements.

Receive personalized attention from exceptional faculty.

Who it’s for First-year students

Act now

Space is limited. Visit www.k-state.edu/first to see upcoming First-Year Seminars, and talk to your academic advisor at orientation and enrollment.

“My teacher got to know each and every one of her students, and she helped us get to know each other. I was exposed to many things going on around campus, as well as things that I should do to make myself a better student. It made my first semester at K-State so much more enjoyable.”

Jasmine Thompson Psychology major, K-State Culture Seminar, Grand Prairie, Texas

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GUIDE TO PERSONAL

Your guide, your success

The program

The Guide to Personal Success Program, or GPS, provides first-year students with one campus professional as a point of contact who can assist students with personal and professional needs throughout their freshman year. GPS guides are K-State staff, faculty, graduate students and recent alumni who volunteer their time to invest in the lives of firstyear students like you.

How you’ll benefit •

• • •

Discover the university in a personal way from someone who knows the campus.

Connect with your guide at least three times per semester.

Attend exclusive GPS-sponsored events throughout the year.

Meet other first-year students and professionals across campus.

Who it’s for

All first-year students

Act now

Sign up for a GPS guide. Visit www.k-state.edu/first for more information. Space is limited.

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“The GPS program organizes fun events that offer me a chance to catch up with my mentees at locations on campus that I might not otherwise carve out time to visit. Getting to know the students and getting to know K-State’s amenities makes being a GPS mentor doubly rewarding.”

Sarah Hoyt Undergraduate specialist at Hale Library and GPS mentor

SUCCESS

“The GPS program is the best thing Kansas State University could do for first-year students. I’m glad I have someone I can trust to be a great resource and friend on campus.”

Taylor Harmon English major and GPS mentee Americus, Kansas

GPS connect events •

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Attend a K-State athletics event.

Bowl at the K-State Student Union.

Learn about resume building and job skills from campus leaders.

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KSBN

A campus on the same page

KSBN books • • •

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, 2012 Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, 2011 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, 2010

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The program

Read a book with the rest of the campus in the K-State Book Network, or KSBN, and join fellow students at a series of book-related events and discussions. Students will receive a copy of the book at June orientation and enrollment.

How you’ll benefit • •

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Participate in thought-provoking discussions about the book.

Connect with students, faculty and staff through a shared academic experience.

Use the book as a conversation starter when you arrive on campus.

Who it’s for All students

Act now

Read your book after receiving it at orientation and enrollment. Plan how you’ll get involved in the conversation. Visit www.k-state.edu/ksbn for more information.

“I used Zeitoun in my class by combining the reading with events we attended on campus.

My students were young when Hurricane Katrina hit, so learning about it from different angles helped them see the need to be alert to the larger community, not just the local community.”

Sara Thurston-Gonzalez Director of international student and scholar services, and First-Year Seminar instructor

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OTHER OPPORTUNITIES for success

K-State has additional offerings that will help you choose the academic and student life programs that best fit your needs and interests. Check out these programs for other ways to connect on campus.

University Experience

This program combines a K-State orientation with academic instruction to make the transition from high school to college as smooth as possible.

Act now

Ask your academic advisor at orientation and enrollment, visit www.k-state.edu/aac/universityexperience for more information, or call 785-532-6492.

Week of Welcome events and activities

Meet new people during a week-long series of events designed to help students all find their way and get involved at K-State.

Act now

Visit wow.k-state.edu to check out events.

PILOTS

This year-long program provides qualifying freshman with academic structure, individual tutoring and assistance in making a strong K-State connection.

Act now

Space is limited, so talk to your academic advisor at orientation and enrollment. Visit www.k-state.edu/pilots, or call 785-532-6492 for more information.

University Honors Program

You’ll take challenging classes, work with K-State’s top professors and study with other students who want to excel. You’ll interact with students from all of the colleges at K-State.

Act now

Apply now. Visit www.k-state.edu/ksuhonors, or call 785-532-2642.

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www.k-state.edu/first kstatefirst@k-state.edu

5555-xxxxx-4/08-xM

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