Academic Inquiry

Active Learning

Community and Connectedness

Exploration of Identity

What is a First-Year Seminar?

What even is a First-Year Seminar? What should you expect if you enroll? Why are there no tests or quizzes? So many questions!

.33

HIGHER GPA COMPARED TO STUDENTS THAT DID NOT TAKE A FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (ONE LETTER GRADE HIGHER)

2.5 %

HIGHER PERSISTENCE RATE THAN THOSE WHO DID NOT TAKE A FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR

20 %

Almost 1 in 5 students have reported their FYS as being their most interesting course!

2022 FYS Poster Session

Make Connections!

"The opportunities to make connections and ask questions to members of our government I would not otherwise have the chance to meet."

"I get to meet people in my program and also learn more about my future career."

"I just like the environment I feel like everyone gets along and the content of the class doesn't feel like school work."

What else do students have to say about taking a First-Year Seminar?

I LOVE this class, too bad it’s only 1 semester hour- if it were more (I would be willing to go to class more often than once a week), I would take more classes like this. My teacher and I have a friendly relationship, I enjoy the content, the teacher makes the discussions interesting, I participate, the coursework is manageable for a class that meets once a week, and I just genuinely have an interest in art/history/politics” 

“I just like the course structure and it is actually fun to learn” 

This course relates most to what I am majoring in and I am finding out that it might be a better fit for me than I originally thought” 

“I just like the environment I feel like everyone gets along and the content of the class doesn't feel like school work.” 

“It incorporates my passion of sustainability and trying to preserve our Earth and its resources while providing real-life applications. Also, we have a lot of interesting discussions in this class and my classmates have very fun personalities. Lastly, the professor is amazing and you can tell he truly loves teaching - it is always easier to learn in an environment like that.” 

"This class is so much fun and it truly helps me grow as a person and I feel like it will help me figure out what I want to do with my life.” 

“This class is interesting because I'm learning about a topic that I haven't really had much interest in, but having to learn about meteorites, it has me really intrigued about them now. It's also interesting that this class can be fun and a bit more low stress than my other courses.” 

“I like learning about new things and about things that we use everyday and learning without much stress behind it

“I took it at first just to have another course to fulfill my S.H. Requirements but my professor is actually really into the topic and passionate which is really engaging for me. I also don't feel pressured to make a grade or test well for a good grade so I am more engaged and I feel like I am actually learning rather than just doing what I have to in order to pass.” 

“I really like the professor and the activities we do is completely different from my academic classes.” 

“My professor makes it a very fun and light learning environment and we have more opportunities to communicate and do hands on work with each other.” 

“The opportunities to make connections and ask questions to members of our government I would not otherwise have the chance to meet.” 

“I like being able to hear from actual accountants about what they do, and the course is designed well.” 

“I get to meet people in my program and also learn more about my future career.” 

2017_06_20-Interactive Sandbox-tschoon-019.JPG

Have Fun in Class!

“I just like the course structure and it is actually fun to learn.” 

“This class is so much fun and it truly helps me grow as a person and I feel like it will help me figure out what I want to do with my life.” 

“I really like the professor and the activities we do is completely different from my academic classes.” 

2023_03_23-IEEE Learn and Create - Isaac Johnson Feature jatorner -0333.JPG

Explore New Majors & Careers!

“My First-Year Seminar course prepared me for the MCAT and I got to talk to physicians and ask them questions” 

“I like being able to hear from actual accountants about what they do, and the course is designed well.” 

“I get to meet people in my program and also learn more about my future career.” 

Herky and students looking at solar eclipse

Enjoy a Unique Learning Environment!

"I am more engaged and I feel like I am actually learning rather than just doing what I have to in order to pass.” 

“I like learning about new things and about things that we use everyday and learning without much stress behind it." 

"This class is interesting can be fun and a bit more low stress than my other courses.” 

2022_07_26-Wittmer, Mizuki - Dare to Discover Profile jatorner -0368.JPG