"Many institutions now build into the curriculum first-year seminars or other programs that bring small groups of students together with faculty or staff on a regular basis. The highest-quality first-year experiences place a strong emphasis on critical inquiry, frequent writing, information literacy, collaborative learning, and other skills that develop student's intellectual and practical competencies. First-year seminars can also involve students with cutting-edge questions in scholarship and with faculty members' own research. First-year seminars are designed to assist entering students as they form connections with the U of A community, including other students, faculty, and advisors in a prospective major." --from the University of Arkansas' website for High Impact Practices.