yearOne

At Illinois State University we believe that the first year of college is a critical time in your life.  We work together as a university community to provide a supportive environment for our first year students – freshmen and transfer students – during their transition.  Look for the yearOne logo to find resources, programs, and services to guide you through yearOne at Illinois State.

We understand that yearOne students have unique needs. Therefore, in addition to the courses, programs and services that we offer for all of our students, we designed some specifically for you.

Orientation

• Preview: Two-day summer orientation and registration program for all incoming freshmen.
• Transfer Day Program: Newly admitted transfer students participate in a one day Transfer Day Program to receive academic advisement, register for classes, and learn more about the University.
• International Student Orientation: An orientation program for new international students is offered before each semester, usually beginning on the Monday before classes start. It's an important, helpful, and fun way to begin your life at Illinois State.
• Passages: Following participation at Preview or Transfer Days, Passages Welcome Weekend is your next step in becoming part of the Illinois State community. (for all new students)

Courses

• First Year LinC: Individualized instruction in a small seminar designed to introduce students to the University community and its resources. The seminar helps students acquire academic skills necessary for success at Illinois State and to explore potential major and career goals. (for incoming freshmen – excluding Honors students who participate in a similar program, Honors Seminar)
• Success 101: A program – including common courses – for a select group of new freshmen who want to be sure that their first semester at Illinois State is their best!
• Honors Seminar: A course designed to assist new freshmen who have been admitted to the Honors Program to make a successful transition to Illinois State.
• Transfer Student Seminar: The Transfer Student Seminar is a full semester online course designed to teach about your new school, help you meet other transfer students, get involved, and learn important policies all in an online format.

Themed Living-Learning Communities

Academic-themed and special-interest themed communities: Themed communities provide additional enriching experiences for residence hall students who are mostly in their first and second year of college.

Mentoring

• Mentoring, Academics, Scholarships & Achievement Initiative (MASAI): First-year students are paired with upper-class students who serve as mentors and role models. (focused on supporting historically underrepresented students, first generation college students and students with an economic need)
• Adult Learner Services: The Adult Learner/*Non-traditional Student FaceBook Group is a way for new nontraditional students to discuss experiences, issues, find support, find out about events, and various other topics. The Women’s Mentoring Network is also part of the services for adult learners. (Open to all new adult learner/non-traditional students)
  *Students who did not begin at a college or university immediately following high school graduation are considered non-traditional students.

National Recognition

Illinois State University was recognized for excellence in the first college year by being named one of only 12 “Founding Institutions” for the national project “Foundations of Excellence® in the First College Year” in 2003. The project is sponsored by the Policy Center on the First Year of College and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).