As an incoming freshman, you are required to take a first-year seminar (FYS) course, a 1–2 credit hour class that introduces you to the tools and resources necessary for success at IU Indianapolis. Each FYS kicks off with Bridge Week activities and continues on into the fall semester with regular class meetings. You can take the FYS as a standalone course, or if you enroll in a learning community, the FYS is included automatically. Read about the FYS formats below to determine which one(s) you are interested in. You'll enroll in your experience when you attend orientation.
It all starts with the first-year seminar
Bridge Week
Bridge Week is your official welcome to IU Indianapolis. Come make new friends and learn the ins and outs of being a new Jaguar!
Learning Communities
Learning communities are comprised of a first-year seminar and one or more general education courses. You'll look at topics and course content from multiple perspectives and disciplines and make connections to the real world and your future career.
Standalone First-Year Seminars
A standalone first-year seminar (FYS) isn't connected to any other courses and meets during the regular 16-week semester.
I'll never forget all of the awesome things we got to do in my learning community—it really helped me narrow my major and career.
Former learning community student