The First-Year Interest Group Seminars (FIGS) are a signature program that offers incoming students a unique opportunity to learn from successful upper-class students, to explore their interests in a topical area, and to discover the wide array of resources available to members of the Rutgers community.
The goals of the FIGS program are to:
- Build community among first-year Rutgers students by connecting them to peers with shared interests and providing opportunities for them to learn from each other.
- Introduce new students to an exciting topical area and to professional opportunities available to those interested in the subject.
- Help students explore academic options within a discipline of their choosing, from major and minor paths to opportunities for research and professional development.
- Acquaint first-year students with a thoughtful, responsive upper-class mentor who will provide insight into a specific topical area and advice about academic success and life at Rutgers.
- Teach students to be active learners in and out of the classroom.
- Encourage new students to participate in university activities and join campus organizations.
- Help students discover university resources and learn how best to utilize them.
- To contribute the leadership development and content knowledge of upper-class students.
To accomplish these objectives, each of our Peer Instructors introduce first-year students to an integral part of the FIGS curriculum: the Nine Elements. These elements are designed to help students learn more about Rutgers, acclimate to college life, and explore a wide range of academic and involvement opportunities.