Initial Thoughts
To introduce yourself to your First Year advisor, use the Edit tab above and answer the questions in the spaces below, then click on "save" and "publish." These questions should take about 15 to 20 minutes to answer. Explore the resource link, if you like, for ideas and prompts to assist you in answering these questions. Then submit the assignment to your advisor (directions for submitting assignments are below).
1. What are you most looking forward to about attending Notre Dame and what would you like to accomplish during your first year?
I am most looking forward to meeting new people at Notre Dame. My time in high school has been fun and educational, but I've only been exposed to a very specific group of people. By being exposed to both racial and socioeconomic diversity at Notre Dame, I hope to broaden my horizons and grow as a person.
I would also like to secure a spot on the Dean's list in my first year at Notre Dame. I am unsure of my academic acilities because my high school's academic reputation is far from stellar, but I hope my work ethic can help me achieve this goals and help me set a strong foundation for the years to come.
2. What areas of study or possible majors are you considering? How did you develop these interests and what is it about these areas of study you find compelling? What influenced your present ideas about possible majors?
I am currently considering Math and Physics for my majors. These interests stem from books that I read as a child and my love for mathematics. I find these fields especially compelling because, when combined, they elegantly explain the phenomena of our universe. I hope to further our understanding of our surroundings by studying these fields.
3. What skills do you hope to begin developing through your First Year courses and experiences (written and oral communication skills, leadership skills, research skills, analytical skills, cultural competency skills, etc.)? How will these skills help you prepare for your future?
In the First Year courses, I hope to gain a strong sense of confidence and self-esteem, especially when it comes to academics. I have trouble considering myself as an equal to my peers, and I hope to realize this as I attend classes in the upcoming year.
4. Everyone has some apprehensions about their first year of college. They often worry about their ability to manage the separation from family and friends, making new friends, living with a roommate, fitting in a new environment, or having enough money, (find their place at Notre Dame). I plan to be comfortable and find my place at Notre Dame by (Be specific)
I plan to be comfortable and find my pace at Notre Dame by regularly speaking to my friends and family at home. While I do expect that making friends and fitting in will be a challenge, I know that I will have the support of my loved ones even though they aren't close to me physically. With their help during the first few weeks at college, I am confident that I can find my place and be comfortable at Notre Dame.
5. List the top 3 concerns (e.g. “speaking in French class” / “staying in contact with my parents, who live in Beijing”) you have about your transition into college. Be Specific.
1. Being academically on par with my peers
2. Making new friends
3. Coping with homesickness
6. List the top 3 of your expectations walking into an advising session.
1. A supportive environment
2. Goal-setting advice and methods to accomplish my goals
3. Answers for my questions or resources to find answers
7. List the top 3 of your expectations walking into a college classroom.
1. A supportive professor
2. Mostly interested peers
3.Engaging material
8. In what ways would you particularly like to take advantage of ND outside of the classroom (have one-to-one conversations with your professors; go to the Snite Museum of Art or see a performance at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center; attend an ND Ignite event; have a significant conversation with someone with a background different from your own; become involved in clubs or other activities or volunteer work; etc.)? See the Dean's A-List.
I would like to take advantage of ND outside of the classroom by speaking to my professors and engaging in undergraduate research. By doing this, I hope to get a head start on my long-term goal of becoming a scientific researcher at the LHC in Switzerland.
I also hope to attend some of Notre Dame's cultural events at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and the Snite Museum for a change of pace. In addition, I want to attend lectures and talks that aren't directly related to my field to learn about something I normally wouldn't be interested in.
I am also interested in a few clubs, especially Student Government and Math Club. I hope to start with these and then consider other clubs so as not to overextend myself.
Feel free to add any other information that you think might be useful for your First Year advisor to know and then submit this assignment to your advisor's "class" so he or she can review it. Follow the directions below:
1) Click on the Save button above (or below)
2) Then click on the Publish tab above
3) Click on the Publish Changes button (Sometimes it looks like nothing has happened when you do this, but click on the View Text tab and you will see that it did save the changes)
4) And then, to submit this assignment, go to your Portfolio Tools tab at the top right hand side of this page, and click on Submit. Follow the directions. (It's a lot easier than it sounds.)
See FAQ: How do I submit my ePortfolio for an assignment? if you have more questions about submitting your assignment.
Do you have immediate questions for your advisor? Email him or her if you'd rather not wait until your first meeting to discuss them.