Best First-Year Experience Practices at HCC

1.

Build the group to reduce anxiety and establish commonalities.

2.

Get to know the students personally and allow them time to know each other.

3.

Teach with principles of retention in mind.

4.

Maintain high but reasonable standards and high expectations.

5.

Vary teaching modes to meet various styles of learning.

6.

Give students practice in critical thinking, reasoning, synthesizing, and interrelating concepts.

7.

Help students understand how your course relates to other courses in their major and their future career.

8.

Be alert for early signs of potential dropouts. Practice intrusive intervention.

9.

Evaluate students frequently. Give them prompt feedback on their work.

10.

Stress relevant and active learning with active involvement in all aspects of the class. Remember, the lecture is a medieval practice.