First-Year Experience

College is very different from anything you experienced in high school. Nearly every student needs some help in making the adjustment to a new schedule, location, more challenging coursework, new social interactions, and additional demands on personal time. That's why NYIT created the First-Year Experience, a program designed to ease your transition and help you get the most out of this unique, demanding, but ultimately rewarding time in your life. It includes:

Summer Reading Project: The goal of summer reading is to engage students early in their college experience through campus-wide discussions and debate, and to build and enhance a sense of community among students, faculty, and staff. The book is selected by the First-Year Reading Committee and all first-year students are required to read it during the summer and participate in related activities during the academic year. The 2008-2009 book selection is: A Long Way Gone-Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. During the fall semester, students will research and explore all sides of the issues the author raises, participate in discussions and debates led by faculty, listen to the different viewpoints of outside speakers, and ultimately shape and substantiate their own thinking on the issues.

College Success Seminar: In this required course, taken either in your first semester or in the summer through Jump Start Advantage, you'll learn time management skills and study strategies, set up your student e-mail account, get a handle on available campus services, and explore future career options.

Mid-Semester Evaluation: At the halfway point of your first semester, your professors will be asked to evaluate your academic performance and submit the information to the dean of your school. You will receive a summary letter that details your progress. If you need special assistance to improve your performance, we will give you a list of college resources that can help you.

Individual and Group Tutoring: NYIT's Learning Center provides free individual and group tutoring services, and pays particular attention to first-year students who may need extra help making the transition.

Early Warning System: At the end of your first semester, if your performance is assessed as still needing improvement, you may be placed on academic probation. This is another opportunity for you to take advantage of the many resources available at NYIT to improve your grades.