The first semester at a big university can be intimidating - classes can be large and filled with unfamiliar faces. The Learning Communities program creates a small-college feel for you. You and your "community" (usually 20-25 students) enroll together in two or three linked courses as a scheduled block. You attend your linked courses together; for example, you might attend the same sections of English and history. Sharing courses this way helps you form friendships and study groups quickly while learning together.

Your instructors also work together to help you connect ideas across different disciplines. Sometimes assignments are linked - you might be asked to write a journal entry in English class about a chapter that was assigned in history. These linked assignments help you relate content in different courses, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and increase the opportunity for academic success. Research shows that, on average, students in learning communities feel more connected to their campus and their peers and improve their grades.

In a learning community, you can

Build friendships with other students

Develop a network of peer support

Work closely with faculty members, both inside and outside of class

Learn how to connect ideas across different courses.