The community seeks to help you make a successful transition to college by offering a comprehensive curriculum and support services to engage you in active learning and growth, living among and valuing all members of our diverse community and making vital and meaningful connections both within and beyond the College. In doing so, Saint Mary's seeks to assist each first year student in establishing effective strategies to explore, connect, and engage through the completion of their programs of study. The knowledge and skills Saint Mary's students gain their first year will last them a lifetime.

After your first year you should be able to do the following:

• Understand the traditions of the college;
• Navigate your academic course of study with the support of your faculty advisor and/or Peer Academic Coach;
• Utilize campus resources when appropriate;
• Engage in on campus activities and/or in a campus club or organization; and
• Explore cultural/academic resources in the surrounding community.

As part of first year experience a theme is selected to provide a social and academic construct by which you will base your learning in and outside the classroom.