First-Year Seminar

Start Hoosier Strong

First-Year Seminar (FYS-F100) helps new Hoosiers build connections, confidence, and community from day one. 

In this 8-week, 1-credit course, you'll join a small group of students led by an IU faculty member and a trained peer leader who understand what it takes to succeed at Bloomington. Along the way, you'll meet people, learn how to navigate campus resources, strengthen your academic habits, and discover the opportunities that make IUB feel like home. 

You'll also have access to the FYS House—a dedicated space where students can study, connect with classmates, attend events, and build community throughout their first semester. 

Whether you're wondering how to make friends, connect with professors, find support, or simply get the most out of your first semester, FYS-F100 helps you start your IUB journey with confidence. 

What You'll Gain 

Build your IUB community

Get to know other new students, connect with faculty and peer leaders, and develop relationships that help foster a sense of belonging. 

Strengthen your academic confidence 

Learn practical strategies for reading, studying, note-taking, class participation, and managing your time at IUB. 

Discover the resources that support your success 

Explore the people, programs, and services available on campus to help you thrive academically, personally, and professionally. 

Participate in experiences designed for real student needs 

Attend engaging events focused on topics like managing stress, exploring careers, navigating university life, and making the most of your college experience. 

Make the FYS House your home base 

Study between classes, attend community events, meet other students, and connect with peer leaders in a welcoming space designed to support your transition to IUB. 

Find your place at IUB 

Connect with campus traditions, opportunities, and communities while reflecting on your goals and what you want your IUB experience to become. 

Small class. Big impact. One strong start. 

Talk to your advisor at New Student Orientation (or any time before classes begin) about adding FYS-F100 to your first-semester schedule. 

Why First-Year Seminar Matters 

First-Year Seminar is a high-impact early experience that supports student success, belonging, and engagement during the critical first weeks of college. 

Through small, discussion-based classes, peer leadership, faculty mentorship, and co-curricular programming, FYS-F100 helps students build meaningful connections to the university and to one another. Students develop stronger academic habits, become familiar with campus resources, and gain confidence navigating university life. 

FYS directly supports Pillar 1 of the IU 2030 Strategic Plan—Student Success and Opportunity—by helping students establish the connections, sense of belonging, and academic momentum that contribute to long-term success. As a proactive investment in student thriving, FYS creates early pathways to engagement with faculty, peers, campus resources, and the broader IU community. 

Faculty, advisors, and campus partners play an important role in helping students discover FYS-F100 as a valuable first-semester opportunity. By encouraging participation, campus stakeholders help students build the foundation for a more connected and successful IU experience. 

Interested in Teaching First-Year Seminar? 

Teaching FYS-F100 offers faculty the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students during one of the most important transitions of their academic journey. Faculty instructors help students build confidence, develop a sense of belonging, and engage more fully with the intellectual and community life of IU Bloomington. 

Applications for faculty interested in teaching a First-Year Seminar section will open in Spring 2027. Additional information about the application process, expectations, and instructor support will be shared as the application period approaches. 

Contact Us

Email: FYS@iu.edu

Address: 516 N Fess Ave. Bloomington, IN 47408