Getting Started at
The Beginning
• Founded September 11, 1911 as Middle Tennessee
State Normal School
• Originally only a school for teacher education
• First three buildings:
o Kirksey Old Main
o Tom Jackson Hall
o Rutledge Hall
• Middle Tennessee State Teachers College, 1925
o Bachelor of Science, first 4-year degree offered
• Middle Tennessee State College, 1943
• Middle Tennessee State University, 1965
MTSU Today
• 100+ buildings (started:3)
• 500 Acres (started: 100)
• 25000+ students (started: 125)
o Largest undergraduate University in Tennessee
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900 faculty members (started: 19)
Honors College, 1998, first founded in TN
Now with 100,000 alumni!
First Ph.D. awarded in English, 2003
“The People’s University”
o Example: the sidewalks
Construction
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Student Union Building – now open!
One Stop Shop (Student Services Building) – Fall 2014
Parking Garages – Fall 2013
Science Building – Fall 2015
High School vs. College
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Differences?
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High School vs. College
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Size
Accountability
Responsibility
Independence
Difficulty Level
Diversity
College Survival
Set goals
Take personal responsibility
Persist, persist, persist
Get involved
Manage your time wisely
Learn about available campus
resources
• Know yourself
• Live in the present, look to the future!
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What should I know about?
• Academic Advising
o College Advisors
o Faculty Advisors
o University College Advising Center, McFarland Building
• Academic Counselors
o Part of the University College Advising Center
o Will be with you all 4 years!
• Tutoring Services
o Writing, Math, Science, Economics
o www.mtsu.edu/tutoring
What should I know about?
• James E. Walker Library
o Hundreds of computers
o Study space
o Free printing
• Business and Aerospace 24/7 Computer Lab
o Free printing
• Phillip’s Bookstore, New Student Union
o Books to apparel to greeting cards
o Book buy-back end of the semester
• Post Office, KUC 1st Floor
o All students living on campus have service
o Off campus students = $12 per semester
o ATMs located across from windows
What should I know about?
• Disabled Student Services, KUC 120
• Health Services, 898-2988
o Free exams for all students, cheap services
o Real doctors! Mon-Fri 8:00-4:00
o Make an Appointment!
• Campus Recreation Center, 898-2104
o Mon-Thurs 6-11
o Fri 6-8, Sat 9-7, Sun 2-11
• Counseling Services, 898-2670
o Free service and confidential
o Licensed counselors and psychologists
What should I know about?
• Food Services
o The Grill, Cyber Café, Student Union
o RFoC and Raiderzone
o Bistro @ Bragg, Buy and Fly, Walker Starbucks, etc.
• Parking Services, 898-2850
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Car and Bike registration
Raider Xpress – 3 routes
5 tickets = 1 boot
Speed Limit = 15 mph
• Public Safety - 2424
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Fully Accredited Police Force
Raider Escorts
Emergency Call Boxes
Text Messaging System
What should I know about?
Get Involved!!!
• Student Organizations
o 250 + to choose from
o Create your own with 5 members and an advisor!
• Community Service Projects
o Up Til Dawn, Habitat for Humanity
• Leadership Opportunities
o Blue Raider Leadership Summit February 2nd
• Campus Activities and Events
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Athletics (Free with student ID)
Campus Rec Center
Intramurals
Cheap movies
What should I know about?
• Career Counseling – University College Advising
Center
o Discuss work interests with an advisor
o Explore possible careers and majors
o www.mynextmove.org
• Changing your major
o Can submit a request on Pipeline
o Meet with new major advisor ASAP to stay on track!
• Career Development Center
o Résumé writing, cover letter, and interview help
o Lightning Job Source
o Career Coordinators for every major
What should I know about?
• All freshmen required to meet with an advisor
o Make sure you are taking the right classes!
• Academic Alerts
• Adding, Dropping
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Add first 4 days
Drop first 14 days, no grade
Drop with grade of W through 60% of term
May affect Financial Aid, Lottery, etc.
• Withdrawing from the University
o ALWAYS seek advice before dropping anything!
Learn to use our technology
• PipelineMT
o RaiderNet
• Personal Information Tab
• Student Tab
• Financial Aid Tab
• Employee Tab
o Campus Directory
• MTMail
• Online Catalog – catalog.mtsu.edu
• D2L
o Many courses use as a supplement
o Accessible through PipelineMT
The Basics
• Eligible students receive $4000 per year
o $2000 in fall, $2000 in spring, and up to $2000 in the summer
• You may receive the Hope until whichever comes first:
o 5 years from when you start college are up
o 120 attempted hours are reached
o When you get a degree
• Some students may receive more money based on
factors such as family income, like the Aspire
Scholarship, and the same rules apply
Grade Requirements
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After 24 attempted hours:
After 48 attempted hours:
After 72 attempted hours:
After 96 attempted hours:
2.75 GPA
2.75 GPA
3.00 GPA
3.00 GPA
• If at the 72 and 96 hour check points you have a 2.75 –
2.99 GPA, and a 3.0 semester GPA, you can keep your
scholarship as long as you continue to make a 3.0
each semester
Enrollment Requirements
• You may be a full-time or part-time student to get
the Hope Scholarship
• Full-time students receive $2000 per semester
• Part-time students (6 hours to 11 hours) receive part
of that $2000, depending on how many hours they
take
• You cannot skip a semester, unless it is the summer
semester. If you take the spring off and reenroll in
the fall, you will not have the Hope Scholarship
Enrollment Requirements
• After the 14th day of the semester, you may NOT drop
below full-time status, or else you will lose your Hope
Scholarship FOR-E-VER
• You are allowed to drop classes until the 65th day of
class, but never, ever, ever drop a class without
consulting your advisor first
• If you are taking 16 hours, you could drop one 3 hour
class and still be at 13 hours, so you would be eligible still
• Part-time students can’t drop below 6 hours
Grade Replacement
• If you fail a class or do poorly in one and you retake the
class, that grade can be replaced in your Lottery GPA
• Lottery (or TELS) GPA is different that your regular MTSU GPA!
• Your TELS GPA counts all grades, no matter what you have
retaken; MTSU replaces your grade automatically if you
retake a class once
• You are allowed to replace only ONE grade in your TELS
GPA over the course of your educational career, and a
form must be signed by an University College Advising
Center advisor to do so
Regaining your Scholarship
• If you lose your scholarship due to grades at a
checkpoint, you can get it back at another
checkpoint by bringing your GPA back up
• Example: You lose it after 24 hours with a 2.5 GPA.
When you hit the 48 hour check, you have a 2.75. You
can fill out a form and get it back!
• You can only regain the scholarship ONCE!
• Again, if you lose your scholarship because you
dropped below full-time status or skipped a semester, it
is gone for good
Lottery Tips (and for Life)
• Grades should be A’s, B’s, and a few C’s
• Try not to drop classes, start with what you think you can
handle, those classes count against your total hours!
• On that same note, you should try and take at least 15 hours
just in case something goes wrong with a class and you
have to drop it
• ATTEND CLASS – It really does help your grade
• Consult an advisor often, at least once a semester if not
more
Academic Success Series
How to Get Started at MTSU
January 29th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Tyler Henson - Advisor, University College Advising Center
• This session will cover topics including how to navigate RaiderNet & D2L, understanding
the Lottery Scholarship, and helpful tips about GPA and academic standing.
How to Use Your Time Wisely
February 5th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Becca Seul - Advisor, University College Advising Center
• Time management is something most students struggle with on a daily basis. This
session will cover techniques to help you better manage your time.
How to Study and Prepare for Tests
February 5th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 248
Presenter: Gia Jones - Advisor, University College Advising Center
• This session will cover tips on note taking, how to effectively study your notes as well as
tips for navigating different types of tests.
How to Be a Successful Veteran Student
February 12th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Heather Conrad, VetSuccess On Campus Counselor
• This session will discuss educational benefits to include Post 09/11 GI Bill, Vocational
Rehabilitation, as well as others. We will briefly discuss all other potential veterans
benefits, and explain our new program, VetSuccess on Campus and the services
available through this program.
Academic Success Series
How to Study and Prepare for Tests
February 19th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Gia Jones - Advisor, University College Advising Center
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This session will cover tips on note taking, how to effectively study your notes as well as tips for
navigating different types of tests.
How to Use Your Time Wisely
February 19th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 248
Presenter: Becca Seul - Advisor, University College Advising Center
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Time management is something most students struggle with on a daily basis. This session will cover
techniques to help you better manage your time.
How to Use the Library
February 26th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Kristen West - Assistant Professor, Walker Library
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Come find out what successful MTSU students know about the library and learn how to utilize the
various resources available.
How to Give a Winning Presentation
March 19th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Danielle Stefanski - Advisor, University College Advising Center
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This session will cover tips and tricks that will help students refine their presentation and public
speaking skills.
How to Use Your Academic Advisor
March 26th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Travis Tipton - College Advisor, College of Basic and Applied Sciences
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This session will cover information on how to know who your advisor is; how to get the most out of
your time with your advisor, and what questions you should ask your advisor.
Academic Success Series
How to Think Critically
April 2nd at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Hilary Stallings - College of Liberal Arts
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This session will go over what critical thinking is (and isn't), provide a structure for evaluating your
thinking, and show how it can be applied to a college level classes.
How to Choose the Right Major for You
April 9th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Mark Convery - Advisor, University College Advising Center
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Having trouble choosing a major? This session will cover techniques on helping you find the right major
and career field that best fits your personality and abilities.
How to Relax and Chill and Still be a Successful Student
April 16th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Lisa Schrader - Director, Health Promotion
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Being a college student is stressful! Academics, jobs, friends, and family can pull you in many
directions, and there never seems to be enough hours in a day to get everything done. This session will
cover how stress can impact your academics and your health. Leave with some surefire strategies to
help you de-stress your life.
How to Prepare for Final Exams
April 23rd at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
April 30th at 4:30pm - Walker Library Room 446
Presenter: Eric Miller - Advisor, University College Advising Center
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This interactive session will focus on helping students prepare for final exams. Specific attention will be
placed on assisting students with time management, reviewing helpful study skills, and discussing
effective test taking strategies. **Note: This session will be held twice to accommodate various
student schedules. The same information is presented at both sessions.