Welcome to the Freshman Page

Hello, Class of 2012.  Bookmark this page. Use it as a navigational tool as you familiarize yourself with the nuts and bolts of your freshman year as well as the host of opportunities available to you.

 

The Freshman Advising Newsletter

This monthly newsletter provides information on upcoming academic deadlines, resources, and programs, and opportunities related to academic life for freshmen.  Make note of these important deadlines and events.

• Freshman Advising Newsletter - December 2008

 

The Freshman “Must Do” list

Take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you. Know what’s required, what’s optional, and what you definitely don’t want to miss.

• Learn the university requirements for graduation
• Read the printed Quarterly Time Schedule from cover to cover
• Explore the search tools for course planning on Axess
• Review the Approaching Stanford Handbook for important information about Stanford traditions, academics, the Stanford community, and practical stuff
• Take a Freshman Seminar
• Get good advice about course planning and your academic path by making an appointment with your advisor or Academic Director
• Go to a professor’s office hours
• Know important prerequisites and course sequences -- meet with your Academic Director or a professional advisor from the VPUE
• Visit the Hume Writing Center
• Visit a Community Center
• Check out the Tutoring and Academic Resources
• Become familiar with Stanford libraries; take a tour
• Get to Know Faculty & Staff; take the initiative in developing relationships with your instructors, Resident Fellows, advisors, and student service representatives
• Discover good study spaces around campus
• Think about possible majors
• Visit academic departments and programs for in-depth information; speak with the student services representative whose role is to introduce you to the department offerings
• Have fun!

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Get Involved

Enrich your experience by becoming involved in academic, extracurricular, and social activities.  Remember to live a balanced life. 

• Frosh Council
• Student Activities
• Community Centers
• Student Government
• Leadership Opportunities
• Explore the creative arts
• Undergraduate Research
• Public and Community Service
• Residential student staff positions
• Familiarize yourself with Stanford traditions, such as the school song.
• Enroll in a 1 or 2 credit activity class

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Frosh Specific Deadlines and Events

Make note of these important deadlines and events.

• Winter Quarter Begins
  Jan. 06, 2009
• Mid Year Convocation for Freshmen
  Jan. 06, 2009
• Frosh Open House at the Career Development Center
  Jan. 08, 2009
• IHUM Course/Section Change Request Forms Close
  Jan. 14, 2009
• End-Quarter Period
  Mar. 09, 2009 - Mar. 15, 2009
• Deadline to apply for Spring Quarter Stanford Introductory Seminar
  Mar. 13, 2009
• End-Quarter Exams
  Mar. 16, 2009 - Mar. 20, 2009
• Spring Break
  Mar. 23, 2009 - Mar. 27, 2009
• IHUM Section Change Request Forms Open
  Mar. 27, 2009
• First Round of IHUM Change Requests Processed
  Mar. 30, 2009
• Spring Quarter Begins
  Mar. 31, 2009
• IHUM Section Change Request Forms Close
  Apr. 08, 2009
• End-Quarter Period
  May. 29, 2009 - Jun. 04, 2009
• End-Quarter Exams
  Jun. 05, 2009 - Jun. 10, 2009
• Commencement
  Jun. 14, 2009
• Summer Quarter Begins
  Jun. 23, 2009

• Frosh Events: This page features events sponsored by Frosh Council and the Freshman Dean's Office specifically for the Class of Oh-Twelve.
• Selected Deadlines and Events: Visit this page for details on these and other deadlines and events.
• University Academic Deadlines
• Housing Draw
  
  

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Thinking Ahead

When you are ready to start planning for life beyond the freshman year, consider the following opportunities and options.

• Sophomore College
• Summer Plans
• Residential Staff positions
• Internships
• Scholarships and Fellowships
• Overseas Studies
• Off-Campus studies and academic exchange programs
• Awards
• Public and community service
• Research

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Questions to Ask Yourself

To make the most of your time at Stanford you need to be willing to take risks (and make mistakes). Be intentional…and spontaneous. Reflect on your experiences in order to inform your subsequent decisions and pathways.

• Have I taken a course in a discipline that didn’t exist in my high school?
• What idea or topic has grabbed my attention that I want to pursue in further study?
• How has my involvement with students – in class and out – with completely different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions changed my world?
• Have I sought out an opportunity to talk to a professor one-on-one?
• How have my interests and ideas evolved since September?
• What lecture, discussion, reading, or conversation has significantly changed my view of the world and of myself?

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Freshman Dean’s Office

The Freshman Dean's Office welcomes and integrates freshmen into the Stanford family from acceptance of admission through the end of the first undergraduate year.

It does so by addressing students' individual transitional needs, connecting students to resources and opportunities, and cultivating an understanding of Stanford's history and traditions. The office is also a resource for transfer students and parents. 

• Contact us at 650-72-FROSH or at frosh@stanford.edu

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