AugSem

AugSem’s purpose is to help first-year students embrace the expectations and benefits of being a member of a learning community at Augsburg College by:

• Encountering the community
• Engaging the learning process
• Exploring the self as scholar

AugSem meets once a week for much of the first semester, and it’s necessary for graduation.

Encounter the Community

During SOAR and Auggie Days, you’ll begin getting acquainted with Augsburg’s community — students, faculty, staff, and our “vital metropolitan setting.” During AugSem, you’ll continue your encounter with the Augsburg community; you’ll have classes with the same group of students, and AugSem Student Leaders will help you connect. You’ll meet your AugSem group during Auggie Days.

City Service Day. On the Tuesday before classes, you’ll spend the whole day with your AugSem group. You’ll meet the AugSem faculty and attend opening convocation. Then your AugSem group will help out for an afternoon at a site in Minneapolis.

Engage in the Learning Process

We want to help you succeed, feel like you belong at Augsburg, and strengthen open, curious and passionate attitudes toward learning.

College is not the same as high school. AugSem helps you adjust to the differences. Like many others, you may be living away from home or with a roommate for the first time. You’ll also be making important choices about how to spend your time and how to take care of yourself.

Learning Tips. No one will call your parents if you miss class, but attendance is important. Go to every class, ask questions, participate, and think about how the material applies to your life. Plan to spend 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class. So, for a typical 3-hour per week course, you should schedule 6-9 hours for studying and completing assignments—just for that course. If you’re worried about a class, talk with your professor, your Resident Advisor, your AugSem Student Leader, or one of the resource offices.

Enjoy learning outside of the classroom! Several times a year, Augsburg gathers for convocations and meaningful public lectures. Your AugSem will probably go to at least one. Also, try to join at least one campus organization. It’s a great way to get to know people while you expand your mind.

Explore the Self as Scholar

AugSem students experience what it means to think like a scholar—perhaps as a theologian, writer, scientist, or artist. Your AugSem might explore a particular major, like art, biology, business, mathematics, music, physics, or theatre, or it might be connected to a special program like Honors or iTerm. You might explore the links between two disciplines, such as sociology and history, or you might learn how to think deeply as a scholar in a discipline that meets a college requirement.

Lindell Library, Writing Lab, and Learning Commons. At Augsburg, scholarship starts in your first semester.  AugSem introduces you to the Lindell Library, where you can find help for it all. At the Learning Commons on the first floor, reference librarians (x1604) and information technology experts help you select and locate research for your projects and produce results through various media. Writing Lab tutors (first floor by the elevator) help with all facets of writing a paper: choosing topics, writing thesis statements, revising, and editing.

Fill out Your First-Year Course Request

Fill out your first-year course request once you receive your login information from Academic Advising. Deposited students will receive their login and password beginning April 10 and 11 at Sneak Peak!