The First-Year Experience at the University of Oregon marks the beginning of a student’s journey as a Duck. In the first year, students will be supported as they transition to university life, practice strategies and habits needed to succeed academically, connect with a campus community that values each student, and engage with services and opportunities, student organizations, and campus traditions, designed to help students find their place at UO.
In their first year, new Ducks will develop confidence, resilience, a sense of purpose through meaningful relationships, grow intellectual curiosity, and gain the tools to thrive during the first year and beyond.
Pillars
The University of Oregon’s First-Year Experience (FYE) represents a coordinated initiative supporting all students in their first year on campus. It is designed to support students’ transition to university life, academic success, persistence, and sense of belonging. The FYE is guided by five core pillars. Through engagement in curricular and co-curricular first year experiences, students will:
- Learn strategies and habits to succeed academically
- Develop intellectual curiosity and a growth mindset
- Cultivate meaningful connections with faculty, peers, and staff
- Engage with the campus community
- Experience whole-person well-being and resilience
Learning Outcomes
Students in their first year at the University of Oregon will develop and practice the capacities, knowledge, mindsets and habits to:
- Succeed in college-level coursework by applying effective learning strategies, habits and ways of thinking to navigate the expectations of college level coursework.
- Develop intellectual curiosity and embrace the exploratory spirit of a liberal arts education by pursuing new ideas and disciplines, and by developing core competencies defined for Core Education.
- Build and experience a sense of belonging by engaging in meaningful interactions with peers, faculty, and staff that contribute to a supportive, connected, and inclusive learning community.
- Utilize campus resources across academic, co-curricular, well-being, and financial support areas (e.g., advising, tutoring, mental health services, and financial aid) to support their progress, persistence, and overall success.
- Practice behaviors that support whole-person well-being, resilience, and self-efficacy, including stress management and maintaining a balanced lifestyle that fosters both academic and personal fulfillment.
- Make informed academic and career decisions by exploring and connecting their interests, strengths, and values to potential majors, undergraduate research opportunities, and future pathways.
- Engage respectfully and effectively in an inclusive learning environment, demonstrating awareness of diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives, while developing communication and relationship-building practices for academic, professional, and community contexts.
First-Year Milestones
A first-year experience at the University of Oregon will be different for each student, but all students will complete six foundational milestones that will set them up for future academic and career success. Our institutional commitment is that by the end of the first year every first-year student will:
- Meet with an advisor during the academic year
- Select or confirm their right fit major
- Sign-up for a career community
- Complete a first-year experience course tied to academic and career interests
- Complete three or more core education courses at the 100/200 level and one required writing course
- Complete forty-five credits