Instructors can choose what they want to do this week! Your lesson/activity should relate back to one or more overall FY101 Learning Outcomes. We have curated a list of suggestions, but we encourage you to get creative and make up your own thing as well!

Hint: in end of year surveys students often ask for more opportunities to learn about professional development (writing resumes, looking for internships, networking, etc), more time to get to know each other (fun group activities, prompts for sharing) as well as BU field trips (visiting other offices, programs, etc on campus and doing activities/tours there)

Center for Career Development (CCD)- Bring career development into your FY101 class!
Looking to add meaningful career content to your FY101 class? The Center for Career Development is excited to offer a range of engaging workshops that can be delivered during your class by our professional staff or trained Career Ambassadors. We cover a variety of topics designed to meet students where they are, whether they’re exploring interests, building career readiness skills, or beginning to think about life after BU. Topics may include:

You can view our full list of offerings and submit a request using this quick form: Request a Career Workshop
The CCD kindly requests a minimum of 3 weeks’ notice. We’re excited to connect with your students and help them start their career journeys with confidence!

    Study Abroad Workshop- BU Study Abroad is one of the most unique and advantageous opportunities that students can participate in during their undergraduate career. Study Abroad has so much to offer and is covered by most financial aid for the fall and spring semesters! We’d love to come talk to your students about the basics of the study abroad process at BU, the benefits, and how to make it work for them academically and financially. If you’d like us to present to your class, reach out to Yessenia Valencia, yvale@bu.edu and Sue Robinson, sdrobins@bu.edu, with as much advance notice as possible to schedule a visit (a minimum of three weeks is preferred). Request for BU Abroad to come to your class or go visit them in their office (888 Comm Ave) so your students know how to find them in the future.

    You’ve Reached Your Limit of Free Articles- BU Libraries Workshop: BU Libraries add value to your college experience in more ways than you may imagine! Beyond providing access to books, articles, and other research resources, we can help you develop critical thinking skills, understand the new access to information you have as a college student, and provide a welcoming space for the Terrier community. Learn how BU Libraries support students in academic life and social wellbeing, and how to connect to the resources you will need to navigate BU’s vibrant academic experience. Contact Kristina Bush, kambush@bu.edu, Library Experience Manager and Former FY101 Instructor, to schedule.

    Exploring Experiential Learning: (Time: 30-50 mins- great for half or full class session)
    In this workshop, EL Ambassadors will introduce students to experiential learning, which is the process of learning by doing. Together, we’ll provide an overview of experiential learning opportunities available to students at BU, such as: leadership; mentored research; student employment; and study abroad/away. EL Ambassadors will also provide tips for students to maximize their engagement in these types of opportunities.

    The CAS EL Connector requests a minimum of 3 weeks’ notice.
    Ambassadors will come to your class and bring EL merch for your students!
    To request a workshop with the Connector, fill out this form.

    Upperclassmen Panel    – Put together a panel of upperclassmen with diverse experiences and identities to talk about their BU journeys. Ask your Peer Mentor to help coordinate student panelists. This can be especially helpful for our Transfer Students. Here is a list of Transfer Peer Mentors who you could ask to be on a panel. And here is a list of Transition to BU (transfer student group) Mentors you could ask to be on a panel. 

    Educational Resource Center (ERC)- Consider having staff from the ERC visit your class or you can visit them at the Yawkey Center for Student Services to become more familiar with their space. Book a 30-40 min workshop:

      • Manage your Time and Productivity:  Managing our time effectively is a cornerstone of success. Learn key principles of time management, compare the advantages of different types of time management systems, and explore specific tools to help you consistently plan your time and execute that plan. Discover strategies to help you maximize your focus to get the most out of your work time.
      • Study Smarter: Learning effectively is an acquired skill. Tap into the expertise of cognitive science to learn research-backed study methods that will help you learn the material deeply and retain it longer without taking extra time.
      • Reading for Information: Effectively reading for information calls for a strategy that is distinct from non-academic reading. Learn techniques to read more proactively and to remember what you’ve read. Digital reading is also addressed.
      • Conquer Procrastination and Spark Motivation: Procrastination is a common occurrence, but it can keep us from achieving our goals and has a negative effect on our physical and mental health. Learn why people procrastinate and gain some practical strategies to counter it.
        To book a workshop with the ERC, contact Bob Maxwell maxwellr@bu.edu Assistant Director for Academic Support at the ERC.

    BU Housing Selection Workshop- Design your own based on your own research/with the help of your Peer Mentor or invite a guest from BU Housing or Res Life to class to describe the process.

    BU Wellbeing workshop: Schedule a workshop hosted by the BU Wellbeing. (some options include: “Life Management- Redefining Work/Life Balance” and “Busting Imposter Syndrome”) Requests must be made a month in advance.

    Innovate@BU: Schedule a workshop at the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center Lab at 730 Commonwealth Ave
    Introduction to Innovation & Innovate@BU
    At the end of this workshop, students will be able to:

    • Experience the difference between traditional Innovation and Design Thinking Innovation
    • Tell real student innovation stories
    • Describe some of the offerings from Innovate@BU

    To book a workshop with Innovate@BU, e-mail Siobhan Dullea- sdullea@bu.edu at least two weeks in advance.

    Zero Waste Session (Time: 30- 50 mins, depending on instructor needs and interest)
    BU Dining and BU Sustainability team up to provide an engaging dive into zero waste and food waste at Boston University. What is the university doing to address modern waste challenges? How can students be a part of this movement? Offerings depend on class time and weather but may include any of the following elements: presentation and discussion, activity or game, live demonstration.

    or

    CDS (Jenga Building) Sustainability Tour– Book a tour of BU’s newest building which is also the largest fossil free building in Boston to date! The CDS building is LEED certified platinum, the highest award in sustainable building. Tour includes behind the scenes of the mechanical spaces, a look at the green garden roofs and access to the 17th floor (as available).

    Please get in touch with BU Sustainability (sustainability@bu.edu) to express interest and coordinate. At least two weeks notice is ideal!

    Coffee? and Convo: Facilitate a conversation about finding friends/community in college. This video, made by a college first year student at Cornell, provides a great jumping off point. How have they found community, if they have? What have been the challenges?