Learning Outcomes

Students ask, "Why should I participate in a learning communities program? What are the particular benefits of Freshman Academy for a person like me?"

The simple answer is “engagement and integration.” Classes organized into learning communities and attended by the same cohort of students are the ground upon which Freshman Academy students are introduced to the mysteries of university life. Moreover, it is a mediated experience in which peer mentors, slightly older and trained in their task, stand ready to help or encourage you along the way.

The end result is that instead of feeling isolated, disconnected, and alienated during your first semester and first year at school, your Freshman Academy learning community becomes your place, your ground, where you can lay the foundation for continuing success in school.

Freshman Academy strives to help you achieve five “learning outcomes," derived from the official “Aims of a BYU Education.” These are skills and abilities, attitudes and habits we want you to obtain so you can do well in your subsequent university and life experiences that follow.

These outcomes include: learning in community, sound thinking, effective communication, character development, and spiritual development. We do not expect advanced proficiency in any of these areas from first-year students; rather, you establish a foundation upon which you can build as you complete your education and “go forth to serve." Desirable outcome traits are largely revealed through the oral and written reflections you write, group problem solving, service learning activities, and continuing success in university coursework.

Learning in Community

If you have become successful as a community learner, you will show appropriate group behavior and a willingness to follow community guidelines that support learning and connection. Your language, even in disagreement, is characterized by civility. You are receptive of others and tolerant of competing worldviews and ideas. Learning in community is also demonstrated through your engagement in the activities and celebrations of the community, your desire to serve others, and your willingness to give and receive meaningful feedback.

Effective Communication

Participation in Freshman Academy will help you become a more effective communicator, now and in every aspect of your future life. We encourage faculty members to make effective communication, in a variety of oral and written forms, an important part of their courses so you will have opportunities for instruction and practice. You will gain confidence in your ability to communicate as you practice communicating with people both inside and outside of your discipline. We encourage you to seek challenging public opportunities to present your ideas to others, such as in the classroom, in your living quarters, and in other public forums.

You should understand, of course, that your ideas will not always be accepted or welcomed by everyone. Communication means that you not only voice your ideas, but that you listen to what others have to say as well, that you ask probing questions and learn from others. The crucible of the public forum will help you identify areas where your ideas may need to be further refined or clarified to make them understandable and acceptable to others. Of course “effective communication” also implies that you have something worthwhile to communicate in the first place, so Freshman Academy encourages you to read and study not just knowledge in your discipline, but everything “in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth” (D&C 88:79), making life-long learning a habit of your mind.

Sound Thinking

Freshman Academy promotes your development as a person of “sound understanding” (Alma 17:2) who can reason things out, one who can “understand and solve a wide variety of problems.” In your Freshman Academy learning community, you will be encouraged to see relationships and connections between your various classes in different disciplines. Your professors will teach you a variety of analytical skills and ask you to apply those skills by working on situated problems. As you participate in discussions and projects, peers and teachers will help you strengthen your reasoning and eliminate flaws in logical thinking which might otherwise diminish the power of your voice in future workplace or community councils.

Character Growth

You no doubt came to BYU because you wanted to associate with people of high character and strong moral values. Participation in a Freshman Academy learning community will promote your continued growth through increased opportunities for instruction and practice. Interacting in your classes, in your residence hall, in service projects, and worship services with people having slightly different perspectives and backgrounds will teach you lasting lessons in patience and tolerance. Peer mentors will encourage your acquisition of habits that promote learning, such as promptness, organization, wise use of time, and diligence.

You were placed on your honor when you enrolled in the university, and evidence of what your personal “word of honor” means to you is measured by your willing adherence to the dress and honor codes. Of course these standards of behavior differ little from the way millions of LDS people all over the world naturally choose to be. Strength of character, linked with increased sophistication in your communication and reasoning skills, will lead to “moral authority,” a willingness on your part to publicly voice moral and ethical concerns to the community and to maintain or support with sound reasoning a strong moral stance in the face of opposition.

Spiritual Growth

Learning communities are also a place where you will experience spiritual growth and increased commitment to the Savior. In your religion class, you will be encouraged to strengthen (or obtain) a testimony of the Restored Gospel and the divinity of the Book of Mormon. Service learning projects give you an opportunity to apply your new knowledge, skills, and understanding to real problems in the larger community. When you “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees,” you will be faithfully fulfilling “the office” to which the Lord “appointed you” (D&C 81:5). Of course matters such as the remission of sins are best worked out through your own private “wrestle,” like Enos, before the Lord. However, your spiritual growth as a Freshman Academy student will be manifested in your increased humility in the learning environment; in your willingness to build the kingdom of God on earth, and your desire to use your knowledge to serve others.

The full spectrum of opportunities made available through the Freshman Academy learning communities experience will enable you to frame questions that lead to profound, life-changing answers. You will be more able to honestly and thoughtfully articulate your commitment to Christ and His church, and you will have increased faith and resilience in facing challenges and setbacks.