First Year Experience

Parents & Supporting Family Members

 

What is FYE 101?

FYE 101, First Year Experience, is a one-credit success course designed to equip first-year and transfer students with the knowledge and resources to make a successful transition to life and learning at Central Michigan University.

Why should my CMU student enroll?

• FYE helps students adjust academically, socially and emotionally to campus life and the rigor of courses at the University.
• FYE is co-taught by CMU’s best faculty and a successful undergraduate peer mentor dedicated to support the transition to college life and learning. Together, FYE faculty and peer mentors work to connect students to new ideas, resources and opportunities.
• The enrollment limit of FYE sections (no more than 25 students per course) allows students to build connections with their instructor and peer mentor for deeper, more engaged learning experiences.
• The FYE peer mentor is a student who is already actively involved at CMU and serves as both a role model and resource.
• Research shows that students who participate in FYE attempt and successfully complete more classes, earn better grades, take advantage of more resources, get more out of their college experience, stay in school and graduate.
• FYE introduces students to campus resources and events to support the transition to college life and learning.
• FYE teaches skills, including effective communication and study skills, that students apply in other courses and life.

What Do Students Say?

In end of semester course evaluations, FYE asked students to share their thoughts about the course.

When asked about their experiences with FYE, students reported…

• “I learned a lot about myself while talking in groups with other people. I found out who I was and felt better knowing there were other freshmen out there with the same fears, concerns, goals & ambitions as me.”
• “The hands on activities & mini field trips really helped me learn my way around campus, and there was a nice, friendly atmosphere.”
• “The class has helped me understand what my professors want of me and what I need to do to succeed at CMU.”
• “This class has made it a lot easier for me to be able to deal with the domestic change to college by giving me ideas for time management and study skills. I love how close our class was and how we got to know each other.”

When asked about the benefits of having a Mentor, students reported…

• “He gave good advice based on his own college experiences and was a nice role model.”
• “She was always willing to help and really wanted us to get the most out of everything!”
• “She was very outgoing and friendly. She answered all my questions I had, and if something wasn’t clear, she helped me understand it.”
• “He was a really down-to-earth person. He made this class fun. I stayed in this class because I knew he would help me out a lot.”

When asked about their FYE instructors, students replied…

• “She had a wonderful personality and seemed enthusiastic each day she stepped into the classroom. I appreciated how she tried to relate to the students and understand their feelings and points of views on subjects.”
• “She loves CMU and shows it and really want us to take advantage of the stuff she knows about campus.”
• “My instructor was able to be very understanding and willing to help with what ever we needed.”
• “My instructor was very excellent. He had no problem discussing an issue about anything. You can ask questions about anything you needed to know about campus, and he had the answer.”