First Generation and Non-traditional Student Guide

Going to college can feel like moving to a new country when you are unfamiliar with the language. Here are some common words and ideas that you may encounter on campus. Explore other tabs for further 'words to know' sections.

Advisor: The person who helps you plan classes to take each semester. Initially students are advised by a specialist in advising who will help you choose your classes for up to 60 credit hours of your time here. Before your first semester, at orientation they will set your first schedule of classes for you. Near the end of the first term, you will need to make an appointment with your advisor and speak with them about your college goals. They will help you find the most appropriate classes to take and 'lift your flag' to allow you to register for classes after your meeting. When you have taken the introductory number of credit hours within your major, you will be transitioned to being advised by a professor in your department who will help you choose classes that will help you in your post-graduation goals.

Bursary: If you search for the meaning of the word bursary you will find that it refers to a grant or scholarship fund, but at institutions like VSU the bursary is also the term given for the office that takes care of scholarship funds once they are awarded. The bursary office handles everything related to your student account. You can contact the Bursary when you have questions about tuition, fees, or anything related to money and your student account. For more information about them, check out the money management tab of this guide.

Syllabus: Syllabi are like a class assignment schedule, classroom rules list, and contact form for each class that you take. Many professors will place information that you will need to refer to throughout the semester on there such as when and where to contact them, the directions for major projects, and when certain chapters of textbooks should be read by. It is good practice to keep a copy of your syllabus for each class on hand either printed or on a digital file.

Office hours: Professors will have dedicated times that they will be in their office for students to ask questions or get additional help. Office hours are great times to ask about upcoming projects or to ask about an odd article that you would like to use but need help identifying how to cite. They are also good times to discuss adjustments you may need in order to succeed in class, so please do plan to use those times to meet professors when you can.

Trigger or Content Warnings: Some people dealing with hard things in their past will have strong reactions to things that remind them of what they went through. Content warnings are a way to let people with those reactions know that they may need to take a break or be careful with themself while reading or watching what is about to come next. Please let professors know if you need warnings about certain content. This helps them know when they may need to take more care with a topic they are discussing in class, especially in humanities and social science classes.

He/Him, She/Her, They/Them: It has become common for academics to include the pronouns they would like you to use when referring to them in their e-mail signature or near their name in online spaces. For more information, please visit GLSEN's Pronoun Guide or you could refer to the guide on LGBTQ+ terms provided by VSU's Human Relations department.