As part of the overarching first-year experience, which begins when incoming students accept their offer of admission, the First-Year Experience (FYE) course empowers students to develop skills that will contribute to their academic and personal success during their time at Grinnell and beyond. The course provides opportunities for engaging in discussions about personal sustainability, respect, personal and cultural conceptions of identities, living in a diverse community, and using resources. The course helps students learn how to have productive conversations across difference. Given our world’s complexity, the FYE course is more important than ever.
All entering first-year students are required to complete the First-Year Experience course. The FYE course will meet weekly for six sessions, with a variety of sections at varying times. Students select an FYE course section from those offered during the spring semester of their first year. The course counts for one half-credit and will be graded on an S/D/F basis.