LIGHT THE TORCH

PRE-ORIENTATION
Before you come to orientation in person, visit "VOL Aboard," our pre-orientation site, where you’ll get a heads-up about what’s happening during your on-campus orientation and an introduction to academic degree planning and advising.

SUMMER ORIENTATION
Pack your bags for an intense two-day experience on campus! You and your parents will get to know UT Knoxville and all it has to offer you. Campus involvement, academic support, leadership opportunities—all this and more will be covered. You’ll also meet your academic advisor and plan your first semester schedule of classes. Register for an orientation session today!

WELCOME WEEK
Welcome to UT! This week is designed to show you what a successful college student’s life is like—and also to give you every opportunity to connect with your classmates as well as with your classmates and UT faculty and staff. Planned activities range from social to academic to service-oriented, so you’ll see the whole array of ways you can get involved as a Vol.

Your first year of college means making adjustments—personally, socially, and academically.  In order to help you manage these adjustments UT has created a number of courses designed just for First-Year students.  In addition to FYS 100, we strongly encourage you to enroll in a First-Year course that takes place during the fall or spring semester. There is a course for everyone. Work with your advisor to decide which one is right for you.

FIRST-YEAR STUDIES (FYS) 100: The Volunteer Connection

FYS 100 is a Satisfactory/No Credit course all first-year students are required to take. This online course contains academic success and engagement activities designed to help you make a successful transition to college and connect you to resources that will contribute to your success during your first year at UT.

The main component of this course is our common reading program, Life of the Mind. Over the summer, you and your fellow first-year classmates are all reading the same book. Once you're on campus, you'll submit a creative response, attend a presentation given by the author, and participate in a small group discussion during Welcome Week.  This is your first chance to interact academically with other students and professors, to put your critical thinking skills to work in college, and to engage with ideas at a whole new level.

During orientation, you will learn when and how to access the online course site.

FIRST-YEAR STUDIES 101: The UT Experience

FYS 101 is a one-credit course specifically designed to assist you with your personal and academic adjustment and transition to college life. FYS 101 offers opportunities for you to meet other freshmen and establish support groups with your peers, staff, and faculty.  In addition, you will learn to develop college success strategies in your academic career.

FIRST-YEAR STUDIES 129: Freshman Seminar
First-Year Seminars are small, discussion-based classes where you can get to know other freshmen and a professor on a more personal level while studying topics that apply to your interests and goals.

COLLEGE- OR PROGRAM-SPECIFIC COURSES
Be sure to ask your advisor about other First-Year courses that are specific to a college or program. Here are some examples:

• BA100
  A first-year course for students interested in majoring in business administration.
• Chancellor's Honors 100
  A first-year course required of all students accepted into the Chancellor's Honors Program.
• Agriculture and Natural Resources 100
  A first-year course for students interested in a major in agricultural sciences and natural resources.

ACADEMIC ADVISING
Throughout your UT career, you’ll meet with an academic advisor to help you develop your academic plans. Feel free to ask your advisor questions about opportunities for involvement or support on campus. Your advisor can help you explore major options, university resources, career goals, and more. Get started by taking a look through our online major guides for 2010–11.

GENERAL EDUCATION (GEN-ED)
All freshmen enroll in general education courses during their first year at UT. These courses provide you with the foundation for success in your upper-level courses and the knowledge you need to live a productive life in our complex and global community. Your academic advisor will help you create a course plan that includes the right general education courses for you.

READY FOR THE WORLD
Ready for the World is part of our plan to transform the campus into a culture of diversity that best prepares students for working and competing in our global reality. Are you ready?

LIVING/LEARNING COMMUNITIES
One of the best predictors of success in college is how involved you are and how much you feel a part of the campus.  The University of Tennessee offers freshman students seven exciting living options called learning communities.  One of these communities may be just right for you! Each community is unique in both design and requirements. However, all offer opportunities to connect with other students, to become involved in campus life, and to develop skills necessary to be both a successful student and a successful leader.

SUPPORT
UT Knoxville offers all students a variety of academic, social, and personal support services. These can be especially important during your first year.

• Academic resources include tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic coaching and mentoring, and major/career exploration.
• Career Services provides multiple avenues to engage in major/career exploration.  You can also explore ways to become engaged in undergraduate research opportunities, learning communities, and service learning. 
• Social and networking support is available through the Office of Minority Affairs, the Office of Student Activities, and the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Additionally, University Housing provides an on-campus living experience with lots of educational and social programming, as well as a trained staff to help you with whatever you’re facing as you adjust from high school to college.
• UT offers personal support through services like the Counseling Center, Health Center, and Disability Services.

STUDENT LIFE
Getting involved in the many cocurricular activities at UT creates a positive learning experience which will open new horizons, ideas, and social outlets for you. By actively participating in all aspects of university life, students connect with the communities around them and discover the meaning of citizenship and leadership.