This fall, first-year Fulbright Honors students saw a new addition on their Blackboard course list. This course, Fulbright College Honors Program (FCHP), was developed as a timeline to guide students through four years of honors in Fulbright.
However, based on low access statistics, mid-semester did not seem to be the best time to release this course—not when students had classes to take and tests to study for. And we get it—you aren’t getting graded on whether you read about the pros and cons of H2P. But don’t count us out! There is lots of useful information waiting for you in the Blackboard Course! Here are five things you can use the Blackboard Course for that you might not have seen when it first showed up on your course list.
1. To Brush up on Study Skills
There is a huge difference between high school and college when it comes to your class expectations. First year college students often must radically revise their established study habits to succeed. This may sound daunting, but we’ve got you! In the “Develop Strong Study Habits” module, we outline some of the major differences between studying in high school and studying in college. Not only that, but we walk you through how to set and revise goals, give you a list of resources when you need academic support, and even some tips on how to reach out to your professor (it’s not as scary as you might think)!
2. To Get Connected to Student Resources
While the bulk of the content in the FCHP Blackboard course is contained within the timeline, we have also provided quick links for students who need an answer fast. This section includes everything from a link to a Tuition Estimator, to scholarship and financial aid resources, to a guide to the Fulbright College Honors Core.
Of these student resources, the most important is “Where Should I Go? Student Resources for Success.” This document contains many of the resources that students will go to constantly throughout their academic career—all in one neat document that can be printed and kept in your backpack, or accessed through your Blackboard app at a glance. While most of the Blackboard Course focuses on supporting the student while they meet academic expectations and take advantage of opportunities around the university, the “Where Should I Go?” document focuses on supporting the whole student, including resources for health and wellness, financial assistance, and reporting.
3. To Explore the Area
For many students, their first year of college is their first time living away from home, in a new environment with new people. This new environment is ripe for exploration, but students might not know exactly where to start. For recommendations on where to explore, students can look at the “Get Involved On- and Off-Campus” module! In addition to providing information and links to a number of on-campus groups and activities, students new to the area can get advice on what places to check out on weekends when you venture off-campus! There is plenty to do in Northwest Arkansas, you just have to get out there!
4. To Get Some Resume Advice
College is not just about classes and learning—eventually you will be getting a job and starting a career! To help first-year students start thinking about their coming careers, we created the “Think Past College” module and intentionally put it in your first year rather than the last. Our reasoning for this is two-fold—by making students think about their longer-term goals, they are more likely to choose courses of study that complement those goals. However, a strong resume and a focus on career are useful in the short-term as well, as they can shape how students approach future internships, job opportunities, and study abroad experiences.
5. To Follow a Clear Timeline on How to Graduate with Honors from Fulbright in Four Years
Ultimately, the long-term goal of the FCHP Blackboard course is that it will guide you through your honors degree step by step. This is a great thing, especially when it gets to be thesis time! So often a little early planning and clear communication is the difference between a student who graduates with honors and one who doesn’t. Do yourself a favor—check out the Blackboard!
