A First-year Interest Group (FIG) is a group of 18-25 first-year students who take two to four classes together during their first fall semester at UT. Each group attends a weekly seminar led by a peer mentor and a staff facilitator. FIG students develop a sense of community as they attend classes, study, and participate in various activities and events with their mentor and fellow first-years. Learn about the types of FIGs and view “FIG course clusters:fig/courses.
FIGs give new students the support and tools they need to navigate and succeed at the university. Enrolling in a FIG will give your student a number of advantages. Learn how your student can join.
FIG students learn how to
Through his or her FIG, your student will make friends with similar academic interests, connect with top UT faculty and a student affairs professional, and have a student mentor as a guide through the transition to college.
FIG mentors are current UT undergraduates who co-facilitate the weekly FIG seminar and mentor incoming freshmen during their first semester on campus. The spring before leading a FIG seminar, all FIG mentors enroll in UGS 104, a mentor development course, where they learn theories behind group development and group dynamics, as well as communication and facilitation skills. Learn more about the position description