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Freshman Studies

Welcome to the Office of Freshman Studies

Making the jump from High School to College is a daunting experience but the St. Francis College Office of Freshman Studies is here to make that transition as smooth as possible. It's our mission to improve the quality of students' College experience by helping with everything from academics to personal issues, including guiding incoming students through the crucial social adjustment they will make during college life.

The department provides advisement and guidance to all incoming freshmen. The Freshman Studies program includes a Freshman Summer Orientation, a mandatory Freshman Seminar course (SFC 1001), academic advisement, and various workshops. Working closely with the Academic Enhancement Center, the Office of Freshman Studies strives to meet the changing needs of incoming freshmen.

Learn more about key elements of the Freshman Studies Program by clicking on the tabs below.

Also, find out about Freshman & Parent Orientation as well as our Outreach and Workshops.

Freshman Seminar (SFC 1001)

Freshman Seminar (SFC 1001)

SFC 1001 is a life lessons course designed for your first semester at St. Francis. This one credit mandatory course is offered on a pass/fail basis and teaches the basic but important practical tools you need to be successful during your academic career. Our Freshman Advisors guide the course to help you develop academic and study skills, and to teach you how to organize a successful academic plan as you work toward your bachelor's degree. SFC 1001 also supplies information on campus resources, assists in laying the groundwork for choosing your major and planning your career, eases the transition from high school to college, and generally helps you build a connection to the College, the campus and your fellow students.

The Freshman Seminar course covers the following topics:

Study Skills (note-taking, test-taking, textbook reading, memory, etc.)
Career Exploration
Time Management
Academic Planning (including choosing a major)
Goal-Setting
Opportunities Available at St. Francis
Communication Skills
Stress & Anxiety

Academic Advisement

Academic Advisement

The Freshman Seminar instructor serves as the student's academic advisor during his/her freshman year. We feel this interaction with an advisor is so important for educational planning that all first-year students are required to meet regularly with their advisors to discuss their academic progress. During pre-registration periods in the Fall and Spring semesters, we help freshmen plan their courses for the next semester. Since each particular major has specific course requirements for a degree, the expertise of our advisors is crucial to plan these first steps into academic life. Our academic advisors are always committed to giving students the personal attention they deserve, and strive to help the students design an academic program that suits their interests and needs.

Freshman Year at a Glance

April - June
Student Placement Testing and Parent Orientation

July - August
Day Long Student Orientations and Registrations

September
Fall Semester Begin Including Freshman Seminar Course (SFC 1001)

October
Midterm Examinations
Advisement for Spring Semester Begins

December
Final Examinations
End Fall Semester / Christmas Break

Contact Information

Monica Michalski Asst. Dean Freshman Studies & Academic Enhancement	718.489.5472 Room 3001
Samantha Scott Administrative Assistant to Assistant Dean	718-489-3443 Room 3001
Cristine DePalo Senior Advisement Coordinator/ Athletics Academic Advisor	718-489-5302 Room 3001
Celeste Van Nice Academic Support Services Coordinator	718-489-3475 Room 3001
Christine Jahier Advisement Coordinator for Transfers & Exploring Majors	718-489-5338 Room 3001
Athalie Alexander Learning Resources & Disabilities Coordinator	718-489-3485 Room 3001

View our advisement pages on Facebook/ Twitter.