First-Year Seminar (FYS) Mission Statement

First-Year Seminar (FYS) at Penn State Berks empowers students to navigate their academic and social lives with intention and confidence. We honor the diverse experiences students bring and prioritize belonging, reflection, and growth so that every student acquires the skills and self-awareness needed to shape their own future.

First-Year Seminar Program Learning Goals

  • Goal 1: Academic Skills and Learning Strategies  
    Students will engage in evidence-based learning strategies to complete academic tasks and evaluate their effectiveness.
     
  • Goal 2: University Systems Navigation
    Students will actively engage with university digital platforms to access information, complete tasks, and connect with resources.  
     
  • Goal 3: Advising, Planning and Career Exploration
    Students will create an academic and career plan and revise it based on feedback.
     
  • Goal 4: Belonging, Engagement and Community
    Students will engage in curricular and co-curricular communities and reflect on the impact on belonging and persistence.
     
  • Goal 5: Inclusive Awareness and Personal Development  
    Students will reflect on diverse perspectives and identify strategies for respectful, effective engagement with others.  

Additional Information

  • FYS is a requirement for all new students at Penn State.
  • Students must take FYS within the first two semesters of enrollment.
  • FYS are either identified by the course abbreviation "PSU 005" or by the suffix "S," "T," or "X."
  • FYS are normally taught by full-time faculty and staff and the class size is limited to about 24 students.

If you have questions about the FYS, please contact the First-Year Seminar Coordinator for Penn State Berks.