Transition Pathways
Transition Pathways are offered to guide your successful transition to college. You will be introduced to the academic, procedural, and social elements of your new community. Our Objective is to help you make a seamless and holistic transition to your new community at WCU and to help you:
- Connect you with other students
- Connect you with the college
- Connect your present college experience with your future goals and plans
Find the Pathway that Works for You
In this one-hour course, you will learn about campus resources, procedures and policies,
as you learn to negotiate college life. You will have opportunities to integrate
your classroom learning with extra-curricular activities and residence hall programming
as you discover your place in your new community.
Learn more about these courses
Learning Communities foster integrated learning environments that have the potential to provide a significant impact on learning outcomes and establish a strong support network. A Learning Community is a set of linked courses that place students with similar interests together in two or three courses. Learn more!
In a Living-Learning Community (LLC), students are organized into living-learning cohorts and are co-located in the same residence hall. These communities connect your college transition course with residential programming.
The First Year Seminar allows you to become a member of your new community in a dynamic
environment and to experience intellectual life at the university level. Taught by
professors with a passion for the subject and a passion for teaching, these courses
are designed to encourage exploration of new ideas, examine a range of academic topics,
challenge you to set high goals for your academic career, and promote a lifelong love
of learning. First Year Seminars count as a core Liberal Studies requirement for all
degree programs.
Learn more!
What is a Transition Pathway course?
This subject of this course is you. It is intentionally designed to promote your self-awareness and personal success - in college and in life after college - by empowering you with flexible skills and strategies that are applicable across subjects (transferable, cross-disciplinary skills) and across time (durable, life-long, learning skills).
- You will learn about University academic programs and policies and how to function within the University environment.
- You will find out where to go for help and information, and learn strategies for working with faculty, staff, and administrators.
- You will learn about majors offered at Western and discover which ones are most suited to your abilities and interests. If you do know what you want to major in, you will receive guidance in planning courses and experiences to prepare for your major.
- You will learn to appreciate the meaning of higher education, and how it helps you learn about yourself, and share the experience of making new academic and social friendships.
- You will also have the opportunity to participate in Service Learning, as you integrate various academic and co-curricular experiences.
- You will be encouraged to reflect on your experiences, identify new understandings and perspectives, and explore original creative expression.
- Involvement in campus activities will be encouraged and supported in order to help you build connections to the University community.