Utah Tech University

Trailblazer Connections

Trailblazer Connections is Utah Tech’s primary First-Year Experience course where freshmen will interact with academic advisors and faculty, prepare for the semester ahead, and make new friends with other incoming students in their academic college.

What to Expect

Trailblazer Connections is made up of a pre-semester and full semester schedule, both of which are required for students enrolled in the Trailblazer Connections course (SSC-1010, SSC-2990, or FYE).

The pre-semester runs Wednesday, August 16 through Friday, August 18 with classes being held from around 8:45am-1:00pm (7:30am-1:00pm on Wednesday). During these three days, students will be introduced to their Academic College, get advice from faculty and staff about being a successful student, as well as be invited to participate in reflecting on and sharing your academic and personal goals with your classmates. Check below for a full pre-semester schedule.

The full semester meets for one hour a week from August 21 through December 8, 2023. Check your course schedule in your my.utahtech.edu account to see when your Trailblazer Connections section meets. During the full semester, students will study skills that prepare them for personal, academic, and professional success for their time at Utah Tech and after graduation.

 

Note: Connections carries the same GPA weight as any other two credit course. Only Fall Trailblazer Connections classes offer the pre-semester portion.

Welcome Wednesday

Trailblazer Connections kicks off with Welcome Wednesday at the Burns Arena on Wednesday, August 16. Student check in starts at 7:30AM and the Welcome Wednesday assembly begins at 8:30AM. Following the assembly, students will head to the Greater Zion Stadium for the UT Class Photo and then make the traditional Trailblazer Walk past the Brooks the Bison statue!

Student check in will be split by last name on the North, East, and West Entrances of the Burns Arena. Students should bring their UT Student IDs or their DNumbers to seamlessly check in.

Faculty and staff are invited to join the Welcome Wednesday assembly! Sections 103 and 110 are reserved for faculty and staff. There will be a staff reception in between the assembly and Trailblazer Walk.

August Class Schedule

Aug 16, 2023 Why am I at Utah Tech University?

7:30-8:30 AM Check In at Burns Arena

8:30-10:00 AM Welcome Wednesday Program and UT Class Photo

10:00 AM-1:00 PM Academic College Introductions

Lunch provided. Options for dietary restrictions may be limited, please bring a lunch if you have specific dietary restrictions.

Aug 17, 2023 What are my academic options at Utah Tech?

8:45-9:00 AM Check In at Classrooms

9:00 AM-12:00 PM Class Topics – Major Expectations, Career Exploration, etc.

12:00-1:00 PM College Connections

Lunch provided. Options for dietary restrictions may be limited, please bring a lunch if you have specific dietary restrictions.

Aug 18, 2023 How do I succeed at Utah Tech?

8:45-9:00 AM Check In at Classrooms

9:00 AM-12:00 PM Classroom Topics – Resource Fair, Financial/Time Management, Diversity, etc.

12:00 – 1:00 PM Connections Reflection

Lunch provided. Options for dietary restrictions may be limited, please bring a lunch if you have specific dietary restrictions.

Trailblazer Take Off Events

Trailblazer Take-Off Week is full of events planned just for incoming Utah Tech students!

Aug 14, 2023 Move In Mixer


7:00 pm
Campus View Suites I

Finished moving in? Head down to the Campus View courtyard to grab a Bahama Bucks shaved ice and meet other new students living in your hall!

Aug 15, 2023 Campus View Cup


7:00 pm
Campus View

Compete in a variety of games in Utah Tech’s traditional inter-residence hall tournament and see if your residence hall can take home the Campus View Cup! Don’t live on campus? Don’t worry, there’s competitions for everyone!

Aug 16, 2023 Brooks' Block Party


7:30 pm
Gardner North Lawn

Welcome Wednesday continues with an on-campus block party with water slides, games, and the Trailblazer Food Fest!

Aug 17, 2023 UT Men's Soccer Game


7:00 pm
Greater Zion Stadium

Meet the Stampede at the east side of the Greater Zion Stadium to walk down to the first UT Men’s Soccer game at the Greater Zion Stadium! Be sure to get your ticket before the game!

UT Student Tickets

Aug 18, 2023 UT Volleyball and HPC Night


6:00 pm-10:00 pm
Burns Arena/HPC

Cheer on the UT Volleyball team in the Burns Arena at 6:00pm! Keep the night going after the game and head over to the HPC for games and fun! Belly Flop Contest at 8:30!

How to Prepare

  1. Be There. Attendance is crucial to your grade so plan to attend from 8:30 AM-1:00 PM Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
  2. Buy a Parking Pass. There is no special parking for Trailblazer Connections students, so be sure to purchase a parking permit prior to Connections if you plan to park on campus. Note: You will be ticketed if you park in campus parking without a pass. Also if possible consider carpooling, walking or using the popular spin scooters in town to get to campus so reduce parking issues.
  3. Lunch will be provided all three days but there will be limited choices. If you have food allergies or are worried about the lack of choices you are encouraged to bring your own lunch to campus especially the first two days. Also St. George is very warm in August. Please bring your own filled reusable water bottle each day to help us reduce our use of plastic bottled water.

What to Bring

  • Utah Tech ID Card – Students receive their ID Cards at 0rientation. If you do not have your ID, bring your Digital ID Number.
  • A filled reusable water bottle
  • A cell phone or laptop with access to the internet
  • A positive attitude and excitement to start college!

FAQs

What is Trailblazer Connections?

Trailblazer Connections is a two-credit course designed to ease your transition to Utah Tech University and to prepare you for your college experience. First time freshmen are automatically registered for this course to learn exactly what it takes to be a successful student.

In Trailblazer Connections, you will cover everything from how to develop the best college study and time management skills to how to work with professors and use the many campus resources available at Utah Tech. You will also reflect on why you decided to go to college in the first place, and how you can make the most out of the coming years. Trailblazer Connections allows you to develop a support network of classmates, faculty, and staff to help ensure a successful academic experience.

Do I qualify for Trailblazer Connections?

First time freshmen are automatically registered for Trailblazer Connections once they have completed the Fall Class Survey. You can check your registration status in your MyUT account.

MyUT

What will I learn in Trailblazer Connections?

Trailblazer Connections will help you build lasting memories at Utah Tech University for years to come. After the Connections course, you will be able to answer the following questions:

Why am I here? 
What is an educated person?
How does an educated person contribute to his or her community?
What role does general education play in educating a person?
What role does the major play in educating a person?

How do I best engage myself in the process of becoming an educated person?
What does an intentional student look like?
What competencies do I need to develop in order to succeed?
What resources are available to help me succeed?

How do I become a fully engaged member of the university community?
What opportunities are there for me to have fun and to become more invested in the university community?
What is a learning community and how do I go about building one?

What is the pre-semester and do I have to attend?

The pre-semester is the three days between move in and the first full day of class, Wednesday, August 16 through Friday, August 18 from around 8:45am-1:00pm. During these three days, students will be introduced to their Academic College, meet faculty and staff, and reflect and share academic and personal goals with classmates. Check the Course Information for a full pre-semester schedule.

Trailblazer Connections is made up of a pre-semester and full semester schedule, both of which are required.

Will food be provided on the three days in the pre-semester course?

Lunch will be provided all three days but there will be limited choices. If you have food allergies or are worried about the lack of choices you are encouraged to bring your own lunch to campus especially the first two days. Also St. George is very warm in August. Please bring your own filled reusable water bottle each day to help us reduce our use of plastic bottled water.

What if I can't attend the pre-semester portion?

If you absolutely cannot attend the pre-semester course please let your advisor know right away. You will most likely be placed in an full semester online version of the course so that you can make up the pre-semester content and hours.

What semester should I take Trailblazer Connections?

It is recommended to take this course in the first semester of college to ensure successful skills are learned and to build connections to other students and the campus resources that are available to help build a successful transition to college.

What materials are required for this course?

There are no specific texts for this course, but we recommend you bring the following:

  • Pen/Pencil
  • Notebook
  • Cell Phone/Laptop
  • Refillable Water Bottle for the Pre-Semester
  • Instructor Specific Materials
Is there a certain place I can park for the pre-semester?

Students should park in a lot and parking space based on their Utah Tech Parking Permit. You are required to have a parking pass anytime you park on campus. A parking pass may be purchased online. We encourage students to carpool or walk if possible, as parking may be limited.

Parking

Contact

New Student & Family Programs

Email: newstudent@utahtech.edu

Phone: 435-879-4691

Office: Holland 181

Academic Advisement

Email: advisement@utahtech.edu

Phone: 435-652-7690

Jim Haendiges

First Year Experience Curriculum Director

Email: jim.haendiges@utahtech.com