Fall Semester Roadmap
Begin Your Journey
Week 1
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
- Be sure to post in LoudCloud. You can access LoudCloud by logging in to your student portal at myportal.gcu.edu
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Questions with LoudCloud or something else? Stop by one of our ACE Centers to get some help. Here are the locations:
- Humanities and Social Sciences (First Floor)
- Encanto Apartments
- Roadrunner Apartments
- Agave Apartments
- Diamondback Apartments
- Willow Hall
- Attend the weekly FYE After Dark Series on the first floor of building 16, Thursdays from 8p-9p to meet new people and explore the resources GCU has to offer.
- If you are taking a University Success Course, stop by the weekly UNV After Dark Series on the First Floor of building 16, Tuesdays from 8p-9p to get help.
- Explore the entire campus and earn prizes by completing the “Explore Lope Country” scavenger hunt for new students! Contact your Orientation Leader or RA for more instructions.
What's next?
Week 2
“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
- Make sure to follow First Year Experience and the Academic and Career Excellence Centers on Instagram for the latest information. @fye_ace @gcuace
- Set a G.P.A. goal for this semester and create an effective weekly study plan for each of your courses (“How much time and effort do I need to commit for each class, outside of the classroom, to ensure my success?”) Come meet with an FYE LEAD or ACE Advisor to help you!
- Create an effective weekly study plan for each of your classes (“How much time and effort do I need to commit for each class, outside of the classroom, to ensure my success?”)
- Visit the Academic and Career Excellence Centers to get informed about the extensive free support they offer across multiple subjects: Here
- Find out the time and location of your College Kickoff. Stop by an ACE Center if you need any assistance.
- Need to make a schedule change? Week two is your last week to do so. Make an appointment with your SSC or UAC.
What's next?
Week 3
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8
- If you are in a University Success Course, Attend your Week 3 College Kickoff!
- Form peer study-groups for your challenging courses.
- Take advantage of Explore Mores to enhance your learning, outside of the classroom, with subject-matter experts: Explore More
- Visit the Student Life website, and make sure to learn about the vast array of exciting opportunities that are available to you!
- Is how you studied in high school not working anymore? Need some tips and tricks for managing your time? Visit the Willow ACE Center for help!
What's next?
Week 4
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
- Have Concerns with a Current Course? Contact your Student Services Counselor Immediately for your options. You can contact their offices at 800-800-9776.
- Join a Learning Community to: connect with peers who share common academic goals and interests, network, further your personal and professional development outside of the classroom: Here
- Check out all of ACE’s After Dark Series to get help in many different subjects. After Darks are held Monday-Thursday at 8pm in building 16.
What's next?
Week 5
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
- Check the date and time of your Week 6 College Career Launch for next week.
- Utilize the Freshman Purpose Plan Checklist in Career Connections to get on track toward your goals!
- Add the Career Connections widget to your student portal for access to the Purpose Plan, resume guidance, interviewing techniques, the online job board, and more!
- Schedule a meeting with your FYE ACE Advisor in Career Connections to review your resume, discuss your desired major and career path, practice interviewing, and prep for your future career.
- Get a job on campus. Students can work up to 20 hours per week. If applicable/available, try to find a job that relates to your major and/or career field of interest.
What's next?
Week 6
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
- Attend your Week 6 College Career Launch!
- Prepare for Mid-Terms!
- Talk to some of your classmates and compare the notes you are making for each class lecture. Doing so can help ensure that your notes make sense to you, you are capturing necessary information, and can reveal ways for you to improve your own notes.
- Ask your faculty or visit the ACE Center to make sure you know about all of the Academic Support Resources that are available to you!
What's next?
Week 7
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” John 3:1-3
- If you haven’t yet. Come to the First Year Experience After Dark Series on Thursdays in building 16 from 8p-9p. Meet new people and learn about campus resources.
- Ask your faculty or visit the ACE Center to make sure you know about all of the Academic Support Resources that are available to you!
- Looking for an internship? Stop by an ACE Center and meet with an FYE ACE Advisor.
- Need help getting connected on campus? Meet with a Welcome Pro! For more information visit www.gcu.edu/welcome
What's next?
Week 8
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
- Have you attended Chapel yet? If not, try to get there! (Mondays @ 11:15am in the Arena)
- Attend the Gathering to learn about how you can participate in Christian mission trips in international locations. Also, visit the Local and Global Outreach website: https://students.gcu.edu/student-life/spiritual-life.php
- Visit the Student Life website, and make sure to learn about the vast array of exciting opportunities that are available to you! https://students.gcu.edu/student-life.php
- Make sure to check the Student Affairs website for important housing updates https://students.gcu.edu/student-affairs#h-important-dates
What's next?
Week 9
“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17
- Join a student organization and/or intramural sport on campus. Contact Student Life for more information.
- If you haven’t yet, make sure to attend a sporting event or a theatre/fine arts event.
- Learn about the different men’s and women’s sports teams at GCU, as well as their schedules: gculopes.com
- Learn about our College of Fine Arts and Production’s performances and events: Link
What's next?
Week 10
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18
- Evaluate how you are spending your time.
- Are you devoting too much time to your social life, and not enough to your academics?
- Are you devoting too much time to your academics, and not enough to your social life?
- A healthy balance is important for holistic success!
- Stop by the FYE ACE Center on the first floor of Willow to meet with an FYE LEAD if you need any assistance.
- By now, you should know your mid-term grades. Meet with your faculty and visit the FYE ACE Center on the first floor of Willow to identify how you can improve!
- With Midterms over, now is a perfect time to schedule a meeting with your FYE ACE Advisor in Career Connections to go over your resume for student worker positions or internships. Stop by the FYE ACE Center in Willow Hall if you have questions.
- Make sure to follow FYE and ACE on Instagram for the latest updates! @fye_ace @gcuace
What's next?
Week 11
“I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” Ephesians 9:11
- Residential Students - By now, you should know your RAs very well. If you don’t, it’s time you got to know them. They can help you find all sorts of opportunities to get involved and connected.
- Commuter Students - Make sure to visit our Commuter Life website to learn about the opportunities available to you. There are many ways to get involved and connected even if you don’t live on campus!
- Don’t miss out! Make the most of your college experience while you can!
What's next?
Week 12
“When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.” Psalm 102:22
- Learn about the many Community Outreach programs that are available to you, and help make a difference in someone’s life: Link
- Make sure your Purpose Plan is up to date in Career Connections. Stop by the FYE ACE Center in Willow if you need assistance.
- Figure out a study plan for your upcoming finals. Stop by the FYE ACE Center in Willow if you need help or extra resources.
What's next?
Week 13
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7
- Begin reviewing for final exams and pre-writing/rough drafts for end-of-semester assignments.
- Make sure to catch up on any late or missing assignments!
- Make sure you are scheduled and financially clear for your future semester(s). If you are not, or are unfamiliar with these terms, make sure to schedule an appointment with your Student Services Counselor immediately!
What's next?
Week 14
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3
- Prepare for Finals! Don’t Procrastinate!
- Ask your faculty or visit an ACE Center to make sure you know about all the resources available to you.
- Visit an ACE Center - Link
- Make sure to review the Explore More schedule - Link
- Make sure you are aware of extended ACE Center, Library, and GCBC hours!
- IMPORTANT! Remember to complete your end-of-course surveys to help us improve your classroom experience!
- Review emails from Housing and Residence Life concerning Christmas Move-Out times and closedown expectations.
What's next?
Week 15
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
- Finish up your Finals!
- IMPORTANT! Remember to complete your end-of-course surveys to help us improve your classroom experience!
- Living spaces close. Check with your dorms for specific days and times.
- Congratulate yourself on completing your first semester at GCU!
What's next?
