In September 2018, Lauralton launched FYE (First Year Experience), a year-long Lauralton course for all freshmen featuring curriculum designed for personal growth. Students meet with School Counselor Erin Chamberlain once each eight-day cycle to cover 21 lessons. The custom-designed course features no homework, no assessments, and no course credit; rather, it focuses on the following:
Lauralton Hall recognizes the importance of strengthening students’ connections to their school community and laying the foundation for student success during their first year. Freshman year brings challenges that require students to learn and develop the skills needed to negotiate their new environment and discover a successful pathway to their future that fits their talents and needs. The First Year Experience (FYE) course will address academic and personal dimensions of student development. A comprehensive set of educational programs will include a focus on practical competencies (time management, study skills, leadership skills, access to school resources), emotional wellness (stress management, healthy relationships, mental health, social media), physical health (substance abuse, nutrition, exercise, team building), and academic planning (Four-Year Academic Plan, college and career planning). This learning-centered experience encourages students to take ownership of their plans and develop solid goals for their education, while making an empowered transition to the LH community of learners and compassionate stewards of our Mercy tradition.
Lauralton students create short- and long-term goals, lending meaning to their work. Lessons are purposefully structured in a sequence to modulate the intensity of the topics and are designed to increase collaboration and thoughtful discussion.
Mrs. Chamberlain designed FYE as a member of the national “freshman transition network” that includes high schools, colleges, and universities where colleagues share transition strategies. She also carefully curated ideas from state universities, small private colleges, and other all girls’ high schools as well as collaborated with her four colleagues in Lauralton's counseling department.
In one component of FYE girls learn about breast health through a variety of approaches. The focus is on advocacy and responsibility for one’s own health. In addition to this academic component, freshmen are responsible for “pinking out” the front of campus as part of our Pink Week activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Students tell us that this program allows them to feel more connected to each other and to campus resources. LH Peer Mentors visit the classes as well to engage in role-play activities, and the freshmen enjoy hearing the older students’ perspective. Additionally, NHS (National Honor Society) members teach the practicalities of navigating final exams and time management.