First-Year Experience
What is First-Year Experience (FYE)?
FYE-2100 is an intensive, highly interactive two-credit hour course that introduces students to the excitement of intellectual inquiry, personal discovery, and the university campus culture as they make the transition from high school to college. Facilitated by both an instructor and a student leader, it is designed to unite a new community of WMU students through shared experiences that support holistic wellness. Talk to your academic advisor to register for FYE 2100 this fall!
Why take FYE?
Working with your peers, an instructor, and a student leader, you’ll engage in meaningful activities that help you grow as a person and as a member of the university community during your first semester at WMU. You’ll learn how to pursue your intellectual and personal interests, as well as figure out how to make the most of the many resources on campus available to support you!
Benefits of taking FYE:
- Build positive relationships with peers, staff, and faculty to create a sense of belonging.
- Become familiar with campus resources and how to use them.
- Develop strategies for academic success.
- Explore your own strengths and goals and learn how you can pursue them at WMU.
FAQs
FYE Awards
Each year, the WMU Office of Student Transitions recognizes outstanding work in the classroom for both FYE Instructors and student leaders. Instructors and co-facilitators are nominated by students participating in an FYE 2100 course or by one another. The recipients for fall 2023 are:
Instructor of the Year
Valerie Ott, Associate Director of Leadership Development Programs
One nominator said "Val is always encouraging the class to be the best version of themselves. She goes above and beyond in helping students with their specific needs. She leads by example and is always willing to listen." Valerie gives students a safe environment to be themselves, taking risks and sharing perspectives through meaningful conversations and activities. Another nominator said, "My one-on-one with Valerie about my strengths really helped me to tune into myself and understand things about myself from a deeper perspective."
Co-facilitator of the Year
Alexis Santamaria-Morales, Sophomore
As the Co-facilitator of the Year recipient, Alexis will receive a $500 scholarship to be used in spring 2024. Alexis' nominators appreciated his daily text messages of encouragement as well as his efforts to organize group meetings outside of class for studying and meals. One nominator said "Alexis made sure to be there for us when we were struggling with school or personal issues. He was a great help in making a connection to WMU by telling us information about the school and how to go about certain things."
What are students saying about FYE?
My instructor always answers my emails in a timely manner and is able to answer literally any question I have about campus, classes, sporting events and more. He helps to fill in the gaps, helps me figure out what to do with my schedule, and is able to connect and help me focus.
My instructor has created such a well-working environment. The constant encouragement to engage in classroom discussions has allowed me to break out of my shell more. By doing so, I have been able to speak up in other classes and gain a better understanding of my courses.
FYE gave me an open, inviting setting to talk to other first-year students in a similar position that I am in. It made me feel less stressed knowing that I was not alone and had resources that I could use to my advantage to achieve academically and socially.
FYE is a great class for starting college students because it shows you not only what the academic side of things is going to look like, but also builds strong social foundations and teaches you life lessons.
My co-facilitator helped me with the bus system, physically walked me through my schedule on day one, and assisted me in getting contact information of important places around campus. She asks us what we need clarification on and makes sure to cover those topics in the next class session which is always helpful.
FYE has assisted me in my social transition to WMU because it has allowed me to meet some great people and I can recognize familiar faces around campus. It really boosts my mood when I am able to wave or say hi to people I know around campus and FYE has definitely helped with that. FYE has assisted me in my academic transition to WMU because I've learned about various resources around campus and I've gotten to meet supportive people such as my instructor, who I know are there for me if I need it.