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!

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