University of Wyoming College of Ed student works with a child at the UW Lab School.

A Valuable Community

Why should I sign up?

  • A First-Year Interest Group (Living Learning Community) offers a ready-made study group of people who are taking many of the same classes. With the support of others, studying is more fun. Study groups help you earn higher grades.
  • Students are automatically enrolled in two to four classes-essentially guaranteed enrollment in those hard to get first-year classes. Some course clusters include major-requirements, while most meet one or more University Studies requirements. Classes are scheduled at times most students find convenient. Students select additional courses to fill out their schedules with the help of academic advisors during the advising appointment.
  • A FIG provides fun activities. By living in a residence hall with others who share your interests, a shared learning and living environment will launch you into a fun and successful first-year experience. Your Resident Assistant (RA) is also someone who shares the same interests, which makes for  floor activities with higher impact.
  • Being in a FIG leads to higher persistence in college. Students who are in a FIG/LLC program come back for a second academic year at higher rates than those who do not participate in this program.

  

LLC (FIG) 

Non-LLC 

Compare 

students starting in… 

Total # 

% Retained 

Total # 

% Retained 

LLC vs. Non-LLC 

Fall 2012 

236 

81.4% 

       1,342 

72.6% 

+8.8% 

Fall 2013 

255 

82.0% 

       1,313 

74.1% 

+7.9% 

Fall 2014 

371 

80.3% 

       1,183 

74.9% 

+5.4% 

Fall 2015 

335 

83.0% 

       1,339 

74.8% 

+8.2% 

Fall 2016 

267 

81.3% 

       1,267 

77.4% 

+3.9% 

Fall 2017 

224 

79.0% 

       1,460 

77.8% 

+1.2% 

Fall 2018 

218 

84.9% 

       1,631 

74.4% 

+10.5% 

Fall 2019 

224 

82.1% 

1,528 

79.0% 

+3.1% 

Fall 2020 

196 

76.5% 

1,205 

76.0% 

+0.5% 

Fall 2021 

218 

78.0% 

1,233 

74.9% 

+3.1% 

AVERAGE 

 

80.9% 

 

75.6% 

+5.6% 


Student Voices

I 100% recommend it. I have heard so many stories from other students, not in a FIG, about how they feel like they don't know their neighbors, and are not connected as a floor. I feel like our floor is really great, and I know most everyone. Also, another plus, if you need help with your homework it is so nice to have basically a whole floor of people who can help you. So nice!!

I love the program. I met a ton of new people that have similar interests that I do, we also all have similar goals. It is also a good program, since everyone has some classes together and they are always there to help if you need it

In a FIG program you get to meet and have fun with people that have the same interests. You sometimes do floor activities with them and you automatically get a great group of friends that are there for school and not other things, they are serious.

three students talk in a University of Wyoming residence hall, White Hall.

What will I gain?

Involvement in campus life is a proven key to success in college. Make the most of your education through both organized and informal activities with UW faculty members and other students and still have time to do things on your own. Studies show that students who participate in LLCs or FIGs at UW, and nationwide, attain a higher overall grade point average and a better chance of success than students who do not participate. Living Learning Communities open doors and introduce you to opportunities.

Other Benefits

  • Shared learning opportunities
  • Improved class performance
  • Chances to get to know professors
  • Friendships with shared interests
  • Appreciation of other perspectives
  • Learning skills and confidence
  • A higher likelihood of returning to campus each semester . and graduating! (see chart)

FYE logo  Dept. 3334 | 1000 E. University Ave. | Laramie, WY 82071 | Phone: 307-766-2325 | Email: figs@uwyo.edu