360 Connections

First-Year Connections

Entering a university alongside more than 8,000 classmates can be overwhelming. By participating in a First-Year Connection—your first-year community—you can start your experience on the Forty Acres with plenty of support.

For decades, we’ve been developing ways for new students to quickly adjust to college life. Based on the First-year Interest Groups model, students in all of the First-Year Connections will explore academic integrity, leadership, connecting to faculty, university spirit and traditions, and more.

Find Your Connection

All incoming first-time in college students admitted each fall will have the opportunity to participate in a First-Year Connection during their first semester. During New Student Orientation each summer, students will learn what connections are available to them through conversation with their program or college advisor. Some examples of First-Year Connections are honors societies, FIGs, success programs, or LEAP. Click here to view a complete list of programs offering connections.

Each connection is unique, but all have

  • Approximately 20 students
  • Routine meetings, typically once a week
  • A peer mentor and a staff or faculty member connected to the group
  • A particular topic and curriculum

Join your Class on Social Media

Texas ’26: Facebook, Instagram
Texas ’25: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Texas ’24: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Texas ’23: Facebook, Twitter