First Year Experience

Enrollment priority is essential, especially since SWC receives over 15,000 new students every academic year who compete for classes. With this benefit, students can be among the first to enroll in classes!

Students will be assigned to a First-Year Experience (FYE) counselor to assist with academic, personal, and career planning.  In addition, students are provided with a Student Education Plan (SEP), which outlines all courses required to complete an associate degree or transfer to the university. 

We will assist students in planning for future career goals and ensure they are on the right path. If a student is undecided about their major, a First-Year Experience (FYE) counselor will guide them through their career planning.

All new students need guidance when transitioning to college for the first time, and having a peer mentor plays an important role in their success. The student’s assigned peer mentor will help ease the fear of being a first-year student by providing you with resources and by getting them involved with activities and events.  The FYE peer mentor will be similar to a college best friend.

Attending workshops and events will help students improve academically and learn new skills. 

This class applies physiological, social, and psychological principles to college, work, and life success. It assesses personality, interests, skills, and values to identify major and career options. The class also uses learning styles, psychological principles of learning, life management, and creative and critical thinking techniques to promote health and lifelong learning.

Students who join the First-Year Experience (FYE) program receive an additional year of support through SYE. [Add link to SYE page].

Students who participate in FYE transfer and graduate at a double rate when compared to non-FYE students.

Recent high school graduates or students who haven’t completed a full semester of college. 

Unfortunately, students will have to choose one or the other.  All learning communities require students to take PD 100 Lifelong Success, which cannot be taken simultaneously. 

Unfortunately, you would be ineligible to participate since you would be unable to repeat the course unless you received a passing grade. 

Yes! Students can participate in both programs. However, to remain in good standing, students must complete their milestones for both programs.

A Southwestern College counselor works with students to select courses, set up a Student Education Plan (SEP), and ensure academic requirements are being met.

A FYE peer mentor works with FYE students to assist with planning academic/career goals, identify opportunities for reaching goals, connect them to resources on campus, and check in on their progress through SYE milestones