New Student Seminar

New Student Seminar (GNED 199), is a required General Education Requirement one-credit course that focuses on the tools necessary to become a successful college student. Academic, social, and personal development is stressed throughout the course. Topics covered include time management, study skills, critical thinking, classroom etiquette, values clarification, and test taking strategies. Open dialogue between the instructor and students is an important aspect of this course.

Faculty, First-Year Counselors, as well as other professional staff members in the university instruct the course. All students must take a New Student Seminar course during their first semester.

Faculty Resources

The Faculty Resources section is designed to assist MSU faculty and staff in teaching the New Student Seminar as well as provide resources for and information concerning our Learning Communities program.

Click here for information regarding Learning Communities and how you can become involved.

First Year Early Intervention Initiative
The First Year Early Intervention Initiative was created to assist our first year students with their academic success by monitoring their absences in the New Student Seminar.  A policy regarding excessive absences in the GNED 199 course has been established to aid in this process.  Click here to read the guidelines and to document a student who has been absent from your course.


Teaching Information for Instructors
Faculty and staff teaching the New Student Seminar will be enrolled in a Blackboard community.  Please check Blackboard for more materials to assist you with instructing the GNED 199 course.  Additionally, you will be able to access information regarding the First Year Success Series by clicking here.

Advising Presentation Request Form