Connections is an academic course specifically designed to ease your transition to Utah State and to prepare you for your college experience. Higher education is a huge investment. This unique course focuses on helping you go about your USU education intentionally--using resources, taking advantage of opportunities to develop socially, and selecting courses that will help build character as well as employability. Connections allows you to develop a support network of classmates, faculty, and staff to help ensure a successful beginning to your academic experience. It will teach you everything you need to know about becoming an Aggie!
Course Format
Connections classes have about 30 participants per class. A portion of class time will be spent listening to formal lectures, and a large portion will be spent involving class members in sharing, reflecting, asking questions, and developing learning strategies for the semester ahead. In addition, classes and workshops will be held in many different areas of campus, so you will learn to navigate the campus easily.
Assignments
Students in Connections will complete assignments during the entirety of the course, including a final reflection paper. All assignments are graded and designed to help you apply information during the semester. Connections is an academic course and carries the same GPA weight as two credits in a university course.
Students in the pre-semester version of Connections have an assignment due on the first day of class.
Contact Us
Pre-Semester Version
Pre-semester sessions are held the week before the start of the fall semester, and additional homework and mentor meetings occur during the first seven weeks of the semester. The pre-semester section times are as follows:
- Wednesday, August 21, 2024 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday, August 22, 2024 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday, August 23, 2024 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8:30 to 10 p.m.
7 Week and Athlete Versions
In addition to the pre-semester course format, there are some 7-week sections offered for students who are not able to come the week before school starts. This class is recommended for band and spirit squad members. The 7-week sections meet twice a week during the first 7 weeks of the semester. There is also a fall 7-week course for varsity student athletes whose sport is in season during fall semester. 7-week sections are also offered spring semester.