First Year
Welcome to the Focus Program and Duke University!
Your first year at Duke will include many experiences. Prepare now by learning more about the campus resources available to you.
Trinity College offers a comprehensive first-year academic experience through signature opportunities that promote active inquiry and engagement. The Focus Program is only one of the many opportunities available to you this year!
The Focus Program gives you a unique basis from which to consider different majors by exposing you to different disciplinary approaches in its seminars. By taking 2 out of your 4 first semester classes in Focus, you are exposed to many discplines and topics right away, while still being able to choose half of your schedule. The Academic Advising Center will help you choose your elective courses taken outside of the Focus cluster. You will also be partnered with an academic advisor who will help you plan your academic schedule.
All Duke University courses are academically rigorous and Focus Program courses can be especially demanding; however, there are several resources to assist you. The Academic Resource Center offers time management tips, study skills assessments and training, and free peer tutoring. The Writing Studio offers one-on-one training to develop your college-level writing skills.
A librarian from the Duke University Libraries will be working with your Focus cluster. These librarians are eager to assist you in your research and serve as a point of contact for library resources such as films, art, maps, science subject libraries and more.