Why FIGs?

Seniors reflect on their FIGs experiences

Four years later, senior who had enrolled in FIGs in their freshmen year were surveyed and asked to reflect on the impact their FIGs may have had on their experiences as students at UW-Madison. Here is a sampling of their responses:

"...the professors in my FIG were the most influential and challenging professors that I have had at this university…these were classes and experiences I never would have had if I wasn't part of a FIG, and these were experiences that have shaped my perspective, my academic experience, and who I am now."

"The FIG introduced me to classes that I probably would not have thought to take and helped me link classes to make my education a fuller experience. It also helped me realize that taking classes with different backgrounds can help round out your education and allow you to see different aspects of the same subject."

"Looking back, I think that some of the best classes I ever took were in the FIG. I always think about and remember what I learned in those classes. The subject matter was so challenging and intimidating for a freshman that I would have never otherwise signed up for those classes. But we all ended up getting good grades because of all the time we spent together in study groups. We all ended up taking another course together the next semester"

"The FIG made me more comfortable with college and made me feel as though I could talk to my professors, especially those in bigger lectures. It gave me the confidence and courage to keep going here at UW-Madison."

"My FIG influenced my class choices, my friends, my world view…that's a lot!"

"I think my FIG helped to reinforce the idea that things tie together. It helped me realize how interconnected so many things are in this world."

"I find myself looking for connections in all of the classes I take. I have purposefully taken classes that have a common theme so as to recapture the organic nature of my FIG semester."

"I think the FIG group helped me to transition easily into college, which took some of the stress away from the first semester. Because of this I was able to focus on elements of college which enabled me to have a better experience."

"Just meeting the people that I met in my FIG and having an instant circle of friends influenced my entire freshman year, and it still does. I'm still friends with some of the students that I met that first day of class. I wasn't as intimidated by the university and being away from home. It's hard getting to know people on your own, especially when you know no one, so the FIG really made a difference in my life as a student."