What do you need to know when starting as a university student? This deck will help you understand important academic, social, personal (physical and mental health), and financial aspects of your time in college or university. This was prepared originally for students in Indiana University’s Intensive Freshman Seminar. While there are IU-specific references here, they should translate well to other universities (particularly in the US). Updated February 27, 2020, now with Creative Commons license. Please feel free to use and forward with attribution.

1. University 101 by Mike Sellers is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

2. Academic 101
• Learn how, when, and where to study
• Visit the Academic Support Center
(https://academicsupport.indiana.edu/)
• Learn how, when, and where to write
• Can you put together a 5 paragraph essay?
• Your paper will take longer than you think.
• Save early and often. Really really.
• Visit Writing Tutorial Services (https://wts.indiana.edu/)
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3. Academic 101
• What’s a syllabus? How do you read it?
• Every IU class will have a syllabus
• Absences? Late work? It’s in the syllabus
• Understand the mathematics of grading
• 50% is an F. Is it better than not turning something in at all?
• Do not beg for 1% on your final grade. Or 5%.
• Every class is different
• Profs often make their own rules.
• Don’t assume what worked before works now
• Your profs probably like you. They’re just tired.
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4. Types of Professors
• You will find all sorts, from friendly to… less so.
• Fezziwig – Kingsfield / McGonagall – Snape axis
• Most are friendly, a bit frazzled, and want to see you succeed.
vs.

5. Academic 101
• Canvas, Email, Word, Excel, PPT, Slack, Box…
• You need to be comfortable with each of these
• There are resources online – look, and ask!
• Not checking Canvas or Email is not an excuse
• Be ready to learn new technology
• Pretty much for the rest of your life
• Buy or rent your texts on Amazon
• For better or worse, it’s the easiest/cheapest
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6. Academic 101
• Set and keep goals
• Today, this week, this semester, year, 4 years
• “What do you want to have done?” not
“what do you want to do?”
• Make sure you set SMART(ER) goals
• You can always change your mind
• Google Calendar will save your life
• Put in major due dates, exams, etc.
• 2 week, 1 week, 3 day, 1 day notifications
• Trello is pretty good for task tracking too
• Get a system and use it faithfully
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7. Academic 101
• GO. TO. CLASS.
• Sounds easy. You may be surprised.
• Never miss the first or last day of class.
• When in doubt, go to class.
• Do NOT just hide in your room.
• Go to office hours
• Go in the first two weeks, every semester
• Introduce yourself
• Stay for 5 minutes.
• Leave.
• Your profs love this.
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8. Introductions
• Polite greeting
• Your name
• Relevant personal link
• Manage expectations
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9. Academic 101
• See your Academic Advisors
• See them at least once per year
• Double-check their plan with your profs
• Avoid the rush – make an appointment way in advance
• Know the add/drop dates (in your calendar!)
• If you need an academic accommodation, see Disability Services early
• https://studentaffairs.indiana.edu/disability-services-students/
• Professors must honor these, but you need to bring them in early
• Honesty, cheating, and plagiarism
• Define these?
• How serious are these?
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10. Academic 101
• Life happens to us all. Plan ahead.
• Do not make up excuses.
• Do not make up family members dying.
• DO NOT ASK FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT
• “Failure to plan on your part is not an emergency on my part.”
• If your prof doesn’t know you, they won’t give you much slack.
• (See “go to office hours.”)
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11. Social 101
• Get involved.
• Go to welcome events
• Don’t hide in your room
• Retreating is okay – but get out there!
• Find your people.
• This is the highest concentration of people like you you will ever find.
• They’re here. Somewhere. Get out and find them.
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12. Social 101
• Be social – but don’t neglect academics.
• This can feel like summer camp… but it isn’t.
• Be a good roommate/teammate.
• Don’t be difficult or demanding.
• Don’t be a doormat either.
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13. Social 101
• There will be more peer pressure than you have ever had before
• Listen to others, but stay true to yourself
• Don’t let others (students or faculty)
tell you what to think, believe, or do
• You need to figure out your own path
• Let others figure out theirs
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14. Social 101
• Alcohol and drugs
• Don’t feel like you “have to”
• Be careful, be safe, be a good friend
• Sex and consent
• Don’t assume “everyone else is doing it”
• Impaired consent is not consent
• Do not ignore or hide sexual assault
• Stick to what you want for you
• Sex is not only physical (see Chapter 4!)
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15. Personal 101
• Physical and emotional/mental health
• Do not take these for granted
• This is all new and stressful
• If you feel scared or overwhelmed, that’s okay
• Take it slow. Breathe.
• A little organization will go a long way
• There are lots of resources to help you!
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16. Personal 101 – Physical health
• Walk. Swim. Work out. Get outside!
• Work hard. Take breaks.
• Sleep
• Do not underestimate this.
• Which is better: an hour later tonight or earlier tomorrow?
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17. Personal 101 – Physical health
• Hygiene
• Yes, you smell. (We’re all human – we all stink)
• You’re now close to others who smell different.
• Shower every 1-2 days.
• Also: wash your clothes. Laundry day, once a week.
• Dress
• Be comfortable, be aware.
• Don’t let others pressure you into dressing a certain way.
• If you’re not sure what’s appropriate in context, ask.
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18. Personal 101 – Mental health
• Mental health issues often appear in early adulthood (18-24)
• You are putting yourself into stressful situations
(just by being here!)
• Take care of yourself
• Be there for your friends
• Find friends who will be there for you
• Use Counseling and Psychological Services
• https://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/
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19. Personal 101 – Mental health
19https://collegestats.org/resources/mental-health-guide/

20. Personal 101 – Mental health
Factors reported by students affecting their academic success:
20https://collegestats.org/resources/mental-health-guide/

21. Personal 101 – Mental health
21https://collegestats.org/resources/mental-health-guide/

22. Personal 101 – Mental health
• Learn self-care
• Do not wait to reach out for help
• CAPS: Counseling and
Psychological Services
• Easy to access and super available!
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• Academic Concerns
• Relationship Concerns
• Stress Management
• Power and Privilege
• Time Management Help
• Sleeping Issues
• Adjusting to College Life
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance Use
• Body Image, Eating, and
Exercise Concerns
• Sexual Assault or Abuse
• Your reason here: ________

23. Personal 101 – Financial
• Understand how to use money
• Do not be owned by money or things
• Understand how compound interest works
• Avoid debt, start saving (yeah, I know)
• Understand how checking accounts work
• Understand how credit cards work
• “Debt never sleeps.”
• Your credit score starts now
• It is more important for longer than your GPA
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24. University 101 by Mike Sellers is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.