The Embarking Experience
The transition to college involves a lot of changes. A new place to live, new classes, new friends, new opportunities, and new challenges. The Embarking Experience is designed to help you thrive as you navigate these changes. This isn’t a course you have to take or a checklist of requirements, but an ongoing approach to supporting your success. This includes things like interactive learning communities, peer mentoring, and campus activities. Your embarking experience will be unique, just like you. It will help you create a community on campus, develop skills that will help you be successful, and understand the people and offices on campus dedicated to your success.
Getting a Strong Start
In your first year at Grand Valley, you will get the tools and support you need to navigate your academic journey and explore potential career paths. You’ll get help establishing goals, building relationships, and getting familiar with university resources. Throughout the year, you will develop confidence in your abilities and find a sense of belonging in your new academic community. Your experiences, both in and out of the classroom will support your growth and propel your success.
Embarking Experience Outcomes
Academic and Social Belonging
Understand the Benefits of a Liberal Education
Gain Confidence in Your Academic Growth
Throughout your first year, you’ll be supported in finding your people and building your community. You will connect with other students, professors, advisors, and resources on campus. You might participate in peer mentoring, join a student club, attend social events, or find a learning community. You will get the chance to meet people from different backgrounds and work toward shared goals.
Throughout your first year, you will have the opportunity to explore careers and academic opportunities as you continue to clarify your path. You will be encouraged to consider how you want to contribute to your community and imagine your future. You will also be developing skills that are in demand, including critical thinking, communications, teamwork, and creative problem solving.
During your first year, you’ll have the chance to reflect on your new experiences and how you’re overcoming challenges, which will help you develop resilience and confidence in your abilities. With the support of resources across campus, your academic experiences will strengthen your skills in areas such as writing, studying, and time management, and you'll set high expectations for your future success.
Learn About University Resources
Grow Your Digital Technology Skills
At GVSU there are MANY different resources to help you succeed, but these are only useful if you know about them! In your first year, you’ll be introduced to these resources and what kinds of support they can provide. You'll receive professional advising to start you on the right path in your coursework. You’ll also learn about what supports exist for self-care and wellness, succeeding in your classes, dealing with financial issues, and exploring career opportunities.
Whatever major you pursue or career you are interested in, being able to effectively find, use and apply information and technology will be critical. As part of your embarking experience, you’ll be exploring ways to collaborate, communicate and create using digital technologies. You’ll also have conversations about how and when to use and trust AI.
Campus resources to support you on your Embarking Experience include:
Welcome to Grand Valley! The CLAS Advising Center is here to help!
Connecting with a peer tutor at the CLAS Tutoring and Reading Center.
Work with an academic success coach from the Student Academic Success Center.
Take a free fitness class or try out wellness coaching with Recreation & Wellness.
Study with new friends and meet with peer consultants at the library.
A “career” might seem like a long way off, but as the folks at the Career Center say, “come early and come often."
Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, managing personal challenges such as grief or anxiety, or concerned about a friend’s mental health, the University Counseling Center is a great, no cost, resource.
More questions? Have a look at the My Laker Success page or reach out to your Student Success Network Faculty Partner [LINK NEED].
Other Elements of the CLAS Voyage
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning opportunities and experiences are built into your courses, ensuring that you get to participate in high-impact, hands-on learning.
Reflective Portfolio
Your reflective portfolio will become a place for you to compile your work, reflect on what you’ve learned, and make connections to your career and life aspirations.
Capstone
Each major has its own Capstone course, which is designed to help you integrate what you’ve learned in your program, identify your skills, and apply your knowledge.