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.

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

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?

The pre-semester is the three days between move in and the first full day of class, Wednesday, August 14 through Friday, August 16 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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