ACADEMIC
SUPPORT
You’ve got a lot to think about before attending New Student Orientation. To stay organized and get everything you can out of the day, we encourage you to review the pre-orientation information in this section. At the Atlanta Campus’ New Student Orientation, you’ll get a book bag, pen and other materials you’ll need throughout the day. You, your parents, family or any other guests should review the Student Checklist and Parent Checklist to make sure you’ve done everything required before orientation.
Academic Advisement
Students attending orientation receive academic advisement from representatives of the University Advisement Center. Academic advisement gives students a chance to learn about the curriculum for their degree program and how to plan their first semester schedule.
Students who do not attend orientation and are freshman or transfer students with fewer than 90 credit hours need to contact the University Advisement Center and make an appointment to see an adviser. Freshmen who do not attend orientation will be required to register for GSU 1010 as part of their first semester course schedule.
For more information, Atlanta Campus students should visit the University Advisement Center at 25 Park Place or call 404-413-2630 (sophomores and juniors) or 404-413-2300 (freshmen). Perimeter College students should visit the UAC office located on their specific campus.
Freshman Learning Communities
At the Atlanta Campus’ New Student Orientation, freshmen have an opportunity to sign up for Freshman Learning Communities (FLCs). FLCs involve pre-planned schedules of courses that group students with other students who share similar interests. FLCs offer first-year students an opportunity to connect with Georgia State and each other during the fall semester. Through their involvement in an FLC, students form a small, friendly community within a large research university.
Each FLC falls under one of the eight fields of interest (business, education, health sciences, humanities, policy studies, social sciences and undeclared) and is composed of four or five courses from the core curriculum, plus the GSU 1010 New Student Orientation course, which serves as the foundation for the development of strong academic skills.
While FLCs are loosely organized around colleges, a student does not have to declare a major in order to register for an FLC. If at the end of the first semester a student decides to select a major in a different area, the courses will count as part of the general education requirements.
FLCs offer the following:
-
- A smooth transition from high school to university life and culture.
- An immediate connection to other students, faculty, campus and Atlanta communities.
- An introduction to university resources and services.
- Higher success rates in grade point average, retention and graduation time.
- Exposure to a wide variety of academic themes.
Perimeter Learning Communities
At Perimeter College’s (PC) Orientation, freshmen attending PC have an opportunity to sign up for Perimeter Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs involve pre-planned schedules of courses that group students with other students who share similar interests. PLCs offer students an opportunity to connect with Georgia State and each other during the fall semester. Through their involvement in a PLC, students form a small, friendly community with other students experiencing the university and campus for the first time.
Each PLC falls under one of the eight fields of interest (business, education, health sciences, humanities, policy studies, social sciences and STEM) and aligns adviser-approved courses from the core curriculum in a compact schedule, plus a PCO 1020 Perimeter College Orientation course, which serves as the foundation for the development of strong academic skills.
PLCs offer the following:
- A clustered schedule to maximize your time on campus.
- Structured academic support to make the transition to university life and culture smooth.
- An immediate connection to other students, faculty, campus and the university.
- An introduction to university resources and services.
- Higher success rates in grade point average, retention and graduation time.
- Exposure to a wide variety of academic themes.
For more information about Perimeter Learning Communities, email First-Year and Transition Programs at FYTP@gsu.edu.