First Year Experience

Welcome to the University of Illinois! The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is thrilled to help you have a successful college experience. The LAS First-Year Experience (FYE) program is designed to help you with your transition from high school and to ensure that you have a great start at the University of Illinois.

FYE equips first year and transfer students with the knowledge to obtain academic success and personal well-being by building community through LAS Liftoff and first year courses (LAS 101 and LAS 102) that provide students with an understanding of the importance of co-curricular resources and programming.
 


LAS Liftoff

Held in August, LAS Liftoff is the college's welcome celebration for first-year and transfer students to help you kick off your amazing journey at the University of Illinois. It often features live entertainment, free LAS swag, and a chance to meet classmates and staff within our college.

Students talk outside Lincoln Hall
First year classes

LAS 101 is a one-credit, graded course designed to assist you in succeeding at Illinois. These small-group classes meet weekly and are led by an LAS 101 intern—a successful junior or senior whose goal is to help you get off to a strong start.

LAS 102 assists new transfer students in their transition to LAS and campus. The course includes lessons and workshops designed to meet the specific needs of a diverse transfer student population.

We Have Each Other

Join Darrell Hunter (Director of First Year Experience, College of LAS) for a weekly hangout, and talk with your peers about your experiences at UIUC. We Have Each Other will take place every Wednesday throughout the spring semester at the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center.

Get tips on navigating the university and the College of LAS as men of color, and enjoy free snacks in an open, welcoming space of friends.

Students talk in the BNAACC

Student voices

Matthew Crimmins
Matthew Crimmins
"FYE makes a positive impact on many students during a tough transition: the first couple weeks of college."
Robert Walker Jr.
Robert Walker Jr.
"The best part is knowing that you are not alone."
Ruichen Gao
Ruichen Gao
"In class, we shared a lot of thoughts, and I got to know about other students daily lives."