Welcome to First Year Seminars & Learning Communities!

First Year Seminar (FYS) courses at Auburn University help new students acclimate to university life. By taking an FYS course, you can enhance your skills by learning about:

  • Opportunities for involvement on campus and in the local community

  • Time management, critical thinking skills, study strategies, test preparation, note taking, goal setting, relevant social issues, and many other topics and skills vital to college success

  • Academic and personal resources on Auburn's campus

  • Career preparedness and networking opportunities

Four Ways to Participate During the Fall Semester

Choose which First Year Seminar (FYS) works best for you!

Success Strategies is a one-credit hour graded course that helps students fine-tune their academic and personal skills. Students will learn about note-taking and study strategies; reading, writing, and presentation skills; memory and test-taking tips; and career opportunities. They will also explore the available (and free) academic and personal resources available on campus. This course can be added through AU Access during Camp War Eagle (CWE) or during open course registration as seats are available.

*Offered during fall semester

Students selecting a TFYS will be enrolled in only an FYS course with the indicated theme.  This is a 1-2 credit hour graded course with 20 students and allows the flexibility for students to customize the rest of their class schedule around the FYS course.  Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of relating the class theme to academic skills necessary for success.

Applications are selected via a lottery conducted in late spring and then considered on a first-come first-served basis. Please see the "How to Join" tab below to apply.

*Offered during fall semester

LC cohorts are composed of 20 students who share a common interest or major.  Students are co-enrolled in an FYS and one to three additional courses (usually Core Curriculum courses).  Students have the benefit of taking the linked courses with the students in their FYS and will be pre-registered for these courses.  Students will then add additional courses to build the rest of their schedule during Camp War Eagle (CWE).

Applications are selected via a lottery conducted in late spring and then considered on a first-come first-served basis. Please see the "How to Join" tab below to apply.

*FYS offered during fall semester, with associated courses offered during fall and spring semesters

RLCs provide students with a residentially-based small group experience that enriches their in-class instruction and provides focused out-of-class activities. RLC members will live together in the Quad or the Village residence halls and are co-enrolled in a First Year Seminar and two or three additional classes. Each RLC accommodates up to 20 students per cohort.  Students will need to complete the Housing Application and then the separate RLC Application.

For a full list of RLCs please visit our RLC page.

*FYS offered during fall semester, with associated courses offered during fall and spring semesters

Applications are accepted each spring for the next fall semester. Follow the steps below to join!

    1. The application for Themed First Year Seminars (TFYS) and Learning Communities (LC) is NOW OPEN
      • Application is available in AU Access > Student Menu > First Year Seminar and Learning Community Application.
      • Students are selected for TFYSs and LCs based on a lottery system.
      • Application will close May 12, 2024 at 11:59 PM CT.
    2. For students who miss the application period for TFYSs and LCs, remaining TFYSs and LCs will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis during Camp War Eagle.  (Note: Cohorts may fill prior to your CWE session and it is encouraged to complete the application prior to attending CWE)

Click here to view 2023-24 Themed First Year Seminars and Learning Communities!

Hear about FYSs and LCs from our students!

Here are the next steps to apply!

First Year Seminar Courses

Depending on how you participate, you will be enrolled in one of the FYS Courses below.

UNIV1050: Success Strategies

Open to all first year students.

Success Strategies is a one-credit hour graded course that helps students fine-tune their academic and personal skills. Students will learn about note-taking and study strategies; reading, writing, and presentation skills; memory and test-taking tips; and career opportunities. They will also explore the available (and free) academic and personal resources available on campus.

UNIV1050 - Learning Outcomes

  • Will examine common transitional issues and assess their impact on daily life.
  • Will demonstrate critical thinking skills through a variety of assignments involving reading, writing, and speaking.
  • Will demonstrate understanding of the learning process and the role it will play throughout the lifespan.
  • Will examine issues that influence the learning process such as goal setting, motivation, and personal attitude.
  • Will demonstrate awareness of the structure and mission of a research university.
  • Will actively explore major and career interests.
  • Will investigate selected curriculum and identify opportunities for academic and professional enrichment with the assistance of an academic advisor.
  • Will demonstrate knowledge of student services and academic resources.
  • Will demonstrate application of academic and study strategies discussed in class.
  • Will demonstrate knowledge of academic policies and procedures.
  • Will examine cultural differences and diversity among people.
  • Will develop personal competencies with regard to living independently.
  • Will demonstrate awareness of basic wellness principles and the effects of personal choices on health and safety.
UNIV1150: Special Topics with Learning Strategies

Requires participation in a learning community, residential learning community, or themed first year seminar. 

Special Topics with Learning Strategies is offered as a one- or two-credit hour elective course that provides opportunities for first year students to explore issues related to a specific theme (depending upon the section taken) through discussion, activities, reading, writing, teamwork, and community service – all of which will be centered on the theme of the specific section. Application of study strategies as they relate to the theme will be practiced.

UNIV1150 - Learning Outcomes

  • Will examine common transitional issues and assess their impact on daily life.
  • Will demonstrate critical thinking skills surrounding the course theme through a variety of assignments involving reading, writing, and speaking.
  • Will demonstrate understanding of the learning process and the role it will play throughout the lifespan.
  • Will examine issues that influence the learning process such as goal setting, motivation, and personal attitude.
  • Will demonstrate awareness of the structure and mission of a research university.
  • Will actively explore major and career interests.
  • Will investigate selected curriculum and identify opportunities for academic and professional enrichment with the assistance of an academic advisor.
  • Will demonstrate knowledge of student services and academic resources.
  • Will demonstrate application of academic and study strategies discussed in class.
  • Will demonstrate knowledge of academic policies and procedures.
  • Will examine cultural differences and diversity among people, with emphasis on cross-cultural interaction and its impact on issues related to the course theme.
  • Will develop personal competencies with regard to living independently.
  • Will demonstrate awareness of basic wellness principles and the effects of personal choices on health and safety.
  • Will demonstrate awareness of the effects of personal choices with respect to the course theme.
UNIV1100: First Year Seminar

Requires participation in a learning community, residential learning community, or themed first year seminar. 

The First Year Seminar is offered as a one- or two-credit hour elective course that provides opportunities for first year students to explore issues related to a specific theme (depending upon the section taken) through discussion, activities, reading, writing, teamwork, and community service – all of which will be centered on the theme of the specific section. Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of relating the class theme to the first year college experience and the skills necessary for college success.

UNIV1100 - Learning Outcomes

  • Will demonstrate understanding and critical thinking skills surrounding the course theme through a variety of assignments involving reading, writing, and speaking.
  • Will demonstrate understanding of the learning process and the role it will play throughout the lifespan.
  • Will examine issues that influence the learning process such as goal setting, motivation, and personal attitude.
  • Will demonstrate ability to use library and Internet resources to research and critically analyze information.
  • Will demonstrate awareness of the effects of personal choices with respect to the course theme.
  • Will examine cultural differences and diversity among people, with emphasis on cross-cultural interaction and its impact on issues related to the course theme.
  • Will actively explore major and career interests.
  • Will demonstrate awareness of basic wellness principles and the effects of personal choices on health and safety.
  • Will investigate selected curriculum and identify opportunities for academic and professional enrichment with the assistance of an academic advisor.
UNIV1060: Success Strategies II

Offered during spring semester.  

Success Strategies II is offered as an elective course to help students continue to make a successful transition to college life. The course is intended for students who have NOT taken UNIV1050: Success Strategies, UNIV1100: First Year Seminar, or UNIV1150: Special Topics with Learning Strategies. This course provides in-depth opportunities to explore strategies for academic success through discussion, activities, reading, writing, teamwork, and community service. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of refining academic skills, actively exploring career options, improving time management, honing test- and note-taking skills, increasing reading comprehension, and continuing the process of personal development. The Success Strategies II course also helps students identify and access the support services and resources of the University.  This course can be added through AU Access during open course registration as seats are available.

UNIV1060 - Learning Outcomes

  • Will identify, apply, and evaluate a variety of advanced learning strategies.
  • Will evaluate and modify existing strategies specific to reading, note-taking, studying, and test-taking.
  • Will demonstrate higher-order critical and creative thinking skills by analyzing and solving academic, professional, and personal problems.
  • Will identify and employ effective help-seeking behaviors concerning academic success and personal wellness.
  • Will demonstrate increased understanding of the learning process and the role it plays throughout the lifespan.
  • Will demonstrate clear and concise communication skills through a variety of written assignments.
  • Will evaluate and modify self-management techniques concerning time, energy, and money management.
  • Will create a plan to increase intrinsic motivation to succeed in college.
  • Will demonstrate self-discipline by creating a plan to take personal responsibility for behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.
  • Will examine persisting transitional issues and assess their impact on daily life.
  • Will demonstrate increased awareness of the effects of decisions on personal and academic success.
  • Will demonstrate knowledge of academic policies and procedures.

 334-844-4501 |  fys@auburn.edu|@AuburnFYS_LCs 

Last modified: March 26, 2024