Welcome weekend ballon release in front of the Saint Francis Statue.

Campus Life

First Year Experience

USF’s First-Year Experience (FYE) is a year-long program that helps first-year students transition to the many aspects of USF life — academic, social, cultural, and spiritual.

Through a combination of courses, programs, and events, you’ll:

  • Develop the academic skills needed for university-level work
  • Learn the foundational content and method of your major
  • Understand USF’s Franciscan values and how they apply to contemporary society
  • Connect to all USF resources
  • Participate in leadership and community service activities
  • Come to know faculty, staff, and so many other students!

This is Your Journey. But We’re Here for Support!

It’s important for students to know they don’t have to do it alone. USF gives students the freedom and support to discover who they are and what they want out of life. Our faculty and staff will help guide them on this journey of self-discovery.

Aaron West ’12
Director of First Year Experience

FYE Core Programs & Components

  • Orientation kicks off your FYE. There, you’ll meet faculty, staff, & other students as you participate in sessions on academic learning, leadership, and community service.
  • Welcome Weekend is a fun & meaningful 3-day experience for all new students. You’ll experience the USF community in full swing, meet student leaders, learn about resources, attend sessions, and come away with everything you need for a transformative college experience.
  • First Year Seminar, Engage, is an introductory course to university studies that all first-year students take during semesters 1 and 2.
  • Peer Mentors are student leaders who are trained to attend FYE classes and events with first year students, in order to assist in their USF transition.

As a result of your FYE, you’ll gain

  • Insight through information, especially the resources, services, and technology needed
  • New friendships with students and mentoring relationships with faculty and staff
  • Ownership over your experience, the kind that comes with confidence and support
  • The potential to transform as you grow through your USF experience