Info for Transfer & Relocating Students
First-Year Communities: Program Benefits
Learning Communities are designed with learning, academic success and life outside the classroom in mind. All students want to feel at home, get to know people easily and do well academically. Ohio University's Learning Communities help students transition to college life, build connections and thrive at OHIO.
Participants have ranked the top four benefits as:
- meeting new people and making friends
- small class size
- in-class discussions
- studying for other classes with classmates
Over 98% of first-year students are in a Learning Community!
Friendships
Learning Communities are an excellent way to meet new friends. As part of a group of no more than 25 students, you and your community members will share not only learning experiences and out-of-class activities, but support one another's academic success.
Common Courses
You and the members of your Learning Community are enrolled in two or more courses in common. These linked courses form the basis of your fall semester schedule. You’ll know a few friendly faces in those larger classes— finding a study partner has never been so easy!
Fulfilled General Education or Major Requirements
Every student at Ohio University must complete a series of "general education" courses. The courses in the Learning Community program are either general education courses, or courses that are required for your specific academic program. This means that when you enroll in a Learning Community, you begin to complete these requirements and progress toward your degree immediately.
Learning Community Seminar
The Learning Community Seminar is a one-credit seminar course (UC 1900) that serves as the hub of your community. Your instructor will assist you in adjusting to college life as well as guide you through the exploration of what Ohio University has to offer. Each community will also have an upperclass student as a peer mentor (Learning Community Leader, LCL) to provide social and academic support. Other topics such as campus involvement, diversity, community responsibilities and career resources and planning will be explored.
Out-of-Class Activities
Participating in a Learning Community will give you the opportunity to engage in academic as well as social activities with the members of your community. These activities may include the faculty from your linked courses. Some activities from past communities include custard, climbing, attending athletic and cultural events, cookouts, shopping/IMAX movies in Columbus, dinner with professors, carving pumpkins for Halloween, study sessions, and more.
Connections
From your community members, peer mentor and Learning Community instructor to the faculty who teach your linked courses, you will make connections throughout the University. Each of these unique connections can contribute to an academically rich, fun and rewarding academic experience, and your ultimate success at OHIO.