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>>Zach Tyaba: Welcome
to Montgomery College, I'm Zach Tyaba.
>>Phil McTighe: And I'm Phil McTighe,
and we're Montgomery College FYE Ambassadors.
As a new student, you will face many exciting
but also challenging opportunities
in your first of college.
>>Zach: The transition to college can be a confusing
and difficult process and you may have many questions.
Our goal is to provide multiple experiences
and relevant information for first year students
so that they feel like they have the tools they need to succeed.
We want to students to feel like they really belong
and in fact are central to the college community.
>>Phil: The first year experience program
at MC includes the following five components:
Academic Advising and Counseling,
New Student Orientation, FYE Seminars,
Development of an Educational Plan,
and FYE Activities and Resources.
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>>Zach: First year students are encouraged to meet
with an academic counselor at least once a semester.
You'll learn about academic resources and support services,
how to select your courses and register for classes and how
to start your education plan.
Advising counseling sessions may address career,
personal and transfer goals.
Map sessions are an academic orientation for new students
to Montgomery College presented either online or by a counselor.
During a map session, students learn
about academic advising concepts, assessment scores
and appropriate course placements in order
to effectively register for the classes that are consistent
with their specific goals.
At the sessions, students are also connected
with academic resources and support services available
at Montgomery College.
After completing the ESL Accuplacer, the next step is
to attend a mandatory group advising session called an IMAP.
The purpose of this session is to obtain your test results
and course placements.
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>>Phil: New student orientation is designed for new students
to become familiar with Montgomery College
and about the resources of the college.
During orientation, you will meet some of the faculty, staff,
student leaders, as well as understand what is expected
of the college atmosphere.
Some things you'll need to learn
at new student orientation include how to find your way
around campus, how to find and use the library, the importance
of student involvement in clubs or student senate for example,
how to make the most out of you college experience,
how to obtain department information,
how to find campus resources,
what the first year experience program is all about,
how to manage your money and apply for scholarships,
how to ensure computer security.
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>>Zach: First year students
at Montgomery College are strongly encouraged
to enroll in an FYE seminar.
A first year seminar is a credit course
that addresses concerns common to first year students.
The course is designed to help first year students
with student success skills
and to make a smooth transition to college.
It's also a great way to meet other first year students.
DS107 is a one credit class designed to assist students
in adjusting to college.
This course provides information such as academic
and student services, study habit techniques,
career and educational planning and adjustment concerns.
DS104 is a two credit optional class for the students
who are new to America.
In this class, students learn about the educational system
in the United States, they discuss topics
such as culture and stereotyping.
The class teaches important topics such as improvement
of study skills, time and money management, the transfer process
and career exploration.
Students create an education plan for their major at MC.
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>>Phil: With the help of a counselor,
you will design a dynamic roadmap that takes
into account your own personal, career and educational goals.
This is your guide through your academic program
and career development at Montgomery College.
Educational plans typically include your academic courses,
grades, major, degree plans, career and transfer goals.
These components will play a major role
in the courses you select and the program of study you choose.
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>>Antoine Battle: Hi, I'm Antoine Battle,
a Montgomery College FYE Ambassador.
You can enhance your first year at Montgomery College
with a variety of activities that include mentoring,
leadership training, student government, clubs,
service learning, career transfer exploration
and student success workshops.
Find out more about these opportunities at the FYE website
and the Student Insider's Guide.
FYE student ambassadors are a select group
of student leaders dedicated to serving MC in the capacity
of advocates for first year students by fostering support
and academic performance and social development.
FYE student ambassadors serve in a variety of roles
and working collaboration with the FYE Program, counseling
and advising and the Office of Student Life.
Uniting around a common reading with related themes
and experiences is one way to bring a campus together.
The common reading is one of the components
of the first year experience
at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus.
Each semester between 100 and 200 students in 8
through 14 classes integrate the common reading and themes
into their respective curricular.
Field trips are often arranged to locations
such as the Supreme Court
and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters.
A common reading is a wonderful way to bring together students
around the common reading for a shared point of reference
and a common experience.
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>>Phil: Hopefully this video inspired you to get involved
in the Montgomery College FYE Program.
>>Zach: Please visit us at our website for more information.
From all of us in the FYE Program, thanks for watching.
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