First Year Experience

Student Development Theory

At UMD, we are concerned about your personal values, ways of thinking, styles of learning, and interpersonal skills. Instead of just focusing on giving you a limited number of skills to find a job or prepare you for a career, we offer an opportunity for you to grow as a whole person.

We recognize that learning and growth extend well beyond the traditional classroom walls. Attending college involves more than just developing your intellect, it also includes physical, emotional, and interpersonal development. As a college student, you will be continually learning while shaping your identity and transforming into an independent young adult. This may seem quite overwhelming at first. But don't worry, remember that you are not alone. Your peers will be experiencing the same situations you will be. And to help you better understand what lies ahead, you should try to learn more about student development theory. Student development theory describes seven areas which address the student in a holistic fashion. Please read on to learn about each of these following areas.

Developing Competence - Learn how to develop intellectual, physical, and interpersonal competence.

Managing Emotions - Learn how to properly express your feelings.

Moving through autonomy toward interdependence - Learn how to handle responsibility and be self-sufficient.

Developing mature interpersonal relationships - Learn how to develop appropriate relationships from your 7700 peers and what it takes to develop an intimate relationship.

Establishing Identity - Learn more about how to develop your own, personal identity.

Developing Purpose - Find out how to develop a purpose in life.

Developing Integrity - Learn how establishing your identity and clarifying purposes leads to integrity.

W-Curve - Learn how college students adjust new their new environment.

How College Differs from High School - find out what students say the major differences are in college.

Some of your growth in these areas will occur naturally with experience as you age, yet with some effort and direction, your growth can progress in a fashion in which you are comfortable and which takes advantage of the many opportunities available to you at UMD. I hope you found this information helpful and enjoyed learning more about the freshman year experience. Good Luck in your academic endeavors at UMD.