• Spend time this summer with friends and family, and don’t forget to say goodbye before you leave.
• Get to know the university, check out the website, look at major departments, clubs and organizations, athletics, faculty profiles, etc.
• Please open and review all information sent from the university. Don’t forget to check email! Please return any information that needs response.
• Fill out roommate and housing forms honestly. These forms are taken seriously. Don’t answer that you plan on being clean, if your room is dirty now, chances are it will be dirty here

• Tracks Account: As a student you will receive a tracks account which will give you access to computers on campus as well as your email account. If you are not local, there will be table set up during Orientation for you to get these items.

• Paws Account: You will also receive a Paws Account. This account give you access to register for classes online, view your student schedule, make payments online, order transcripts, and view student records. If you are not a local student, a table will be set up during Orientation for you to obtain this information.

• Forums: The best way to find out what is going on around campus is to join a forum. As a new student you are signed up for FYE: First Year Experience, a list serve that lets you communicate to all new students for your first year. Also, you can sign up for FIT Forum, another email list that lets you communicate with others on campus, this include students and faculty. You need your Tracks Account information to sign up for forums. If interested, please see: http://www.fit.edu/webservices/forums.htm

• Parking Permits: As a new student you are allowed to have a car on campus.Parking permits are $37 a semester. During Orientation week, there will be a table set up for you to purchase parking passes. Please remember to bring your vehicle insurance, vehicle registration, and vehicle license plate number.

• Student ID Cards: During Orientation week, you will have your picture takenfor your student ID card. It is very important that you do not lose this card. The first card you receive is free of charge. Any replacements charge a fee. The student ID card has a variety of purposes. It is your: identification, meal plan card, library card, lab printing card, electronic door access, access to Clemente Center, and Panther cash debit account.

• Bookstore: Our bookstore is a Barnes and Nobles Bookstore. They sell both new and used books. After purchasing your books, don’t remove the shrink-wrap until you are absolutely sure you have the right book. Also, keep your receipt in case you need to return any books. At the end of the semester the bookstore will buy back your textbooks as long as they are in good condition. Our bookstore also sells school supplies, apparel, and little gifts. You may also purchase books on line at: Florida Tech Bookstore

• You get to meet your professor. Some professors will jump right into new material, others will spend time introducing themselves and reviewing the syllabus.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. All of the students and faculty on campus are friendly and helpful.
• Items to bring:
• Class schedule
• Notebook
• Pen/pencil
• Your professor will hand out a Syllabus, which is a contract with the professor. This is very important to hold onto! It has the following information and more:
• Professor contact information
• Professor’s office hours and office location
• Required materials for the course
• Dates of tests and homework assignments
• Grading scale
• The first day is not too early to study. It’s best to use time management and study early so things don’t pile up towards the end. Also, it’s good to get a routine down for studying, that way you cover a little bit of material at a time

Inside the Classroom

Welcome to College! It is a very different experience from what you are used to in high school. These pointers should help you know what to expect in a Florida Tech classroom.

• Average class sizes are about 25-30 students. Your largest class will be about 50-75 students, but usually no larger. The larger class sizes are for more of the general courses, i.e. General Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, etc.
• Laboratory class sizes are usually no larger than 20 students
• The professor most often teaches the lectures and the labs are taught by Graduate Student Assistants.
• It is your responsibility to go to class and complete assignments.
• Not all professors take attendance. Although, attendance is required for all labs. Failure to show up for labs can result in a failing grade for the entire course.
• Some professors will put more emphasis on tests than homework. But your homework is that you are responsible for knowing the material that will be on the test.
• It is very rare to see extra credit given in a class
• You will be doing a lot of learning outside of the class. For a 3 credit hour class, you should be spending about 6-9 hours a week studying for that class (this does not include class time).
• There is help available! The Academic Support Center on campus offers free tutoring to students. Services include: individual tutoring, group tutoring, and study sessions.
• It’s important to stay on top of your schoolwork as bad grades can put you on academic probation. Students are placed on academic probation when his/her cumulative grade point average drops below a 2.00, a C letter grade.