Your First Year Inquiry course — more commonly known around campus as a FRINQ — is a distinctly PSU experience. This immersive course invites you to explore a central theme over an entire school year, and helps you learn the skills you need to be successful in college.
In your FRINQ, you’ll explore a theme like failure, sustainability or democracy through classroom discussions, community based experiences and reading, writing and research assignments. You’ll also have the chance to build friendships with people in a variety of majors while you learn.
“It’s a cohort experience. This is a course where they can make friends for life,” says professor Christof Teuscher, who teaches a FRINQ course on failure.
On your orientation day, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up and get into your preferred FRINQ so it’s important to review your options beforehand. Here's how you can plan ahead.
Confirm You Need to Take a FRINQ
If you’re starting at PSU with fewer than 30 transfer credits, you need to register for a FRINQ — unless you’re in the Honors program or a Liberal Studies major. If you are transferring to PSU with more than 30 credits, you are not generally required to take a FRINQ. Got questions? It’s good to connect with your academic advisor if you’re unsure about your status.
Explore Your Options
Look through the class themes in this year’s FRINQ guide to see what topics you’d enjoy. Don’t forget to read the faculty bios; you’ll have your instructor for the year so definitely consider who you want to learn from. Finally, remember that FRINQs are more alike than they are different so you’ll have a similar experience — and build important academic skills and connections — no matter which theme you choose.
Cross Reference Your Schedule
FRINQ classes have a main section and a mentor session that are held at a consistent time all year. Before you finalize your FRINQ, make sure these sessions work with your other required first-year courses in fall, winter and spring terms. Don't forget to factor in your commitments outside of school — especially ones that could impact your availability during the year. If you have questions about scheduling, connect with your pathway advisor.
Make Your Selection
Once you’ve found a theme that interests you and works with your schedule, you’re ready to register for your FRINQ. (Have a back up pick ready in case your first choice is full.) If you don’t sign up at orientation, you should meet with your advisor to get registered. You can also contact University Studies or stop by the University Studies office in room 117 of Cramer Hall for help.
Want to learn more? Read all about FRINQs here. Or read Embracing Failure: Front First-Year Students to First-Time Authors for a first-hand account on the FRINQ course on failure.