The Psychology First-Year Learning Community (FLC, pronounced "flick") will provide you support to improve your first-year experience at U of T, help you learn different skills to succeed in your academic journey, and develop a community with other students, staff, and faculty members in the Department of Psychology.
Apply to the Psychology FLC
- Application deadline: July 2, 2025 at 12 p.m. EDT
- All successful applicants will be informed of their acceptance into the FLC program and receive further details by July 15, 2025.
Eligibility
- First-year students in the Faculty of Arts & Science who have been admitted to the Life Sciences admission category on the St. George campus
- Students living off campus are encouraged to apply to the Psychology FLC
FLC Course Overview
By joining a FLC, you will have the opportunity to connect with a small group of students in regular FLC sessions and core first-year courses. Students in the Psychology FLC will meet at a welcome session during the second week of classes and then every week starting in September 18, 2025.
In addition to your FLC sessions, you will be automatically enrolled into the following first-year course (and accompanying tutorial) along with the other students in your FLC:
- PSY100H1-F: Introductory Psychology
During course enrolment, you will choose additional courses to complete your first-year course schedule. The courses you are pre-enrolled in with your FLC are the core courses that all your FLC peers will be enrolled in. However, if you have a conflict between these core courses and any new courses that you will be adding to your schedule, you have the option to change your course section. Visit the New Student Guide for more information about course selection and enrolment.
|
Course Name |
Course Code |
Section |
Day of Week |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Psychology FLC |
PSY099Y1-Y |
Lecture 0101 |
Thursday |
1:30-3:00 p.m. |
|
Introductory Psychology |
PSY100H1-F |
Lecture 0101 |
Tuesday, Thursday |
Tues.: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thurs.: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
|
Course Name |
Course Code |
Section |
Day of Week |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Psychology FLC |
PSY099Y1-Y |
Lecture 0101 |
Thursday |
1:30-3:00 p.m. |
Your FLC Team
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Title: Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
About me: I have been a faculty member in the Department of Psychology since 2012, and I also completed my undergraduate degree at U of T (I was a part of the Psychology Research Specialist program). My PhD is in Social Psychology, and apart from teaching PSY100 (Intro Psych), I also regularly teach the Social Psychology Lab, Psychology Careers and Applications and Community Psychology and Advocacy. I also supervise a lot of undergraduate research projects. My hobbies are pretty boring - reading, long walks and baking. I volunteer on Sunday mornings and visit with my family as often as I can.
Why FLCs? I teach thousands of first-year students every year, but serving as the FLC advisor provides me with the opportunity to get to know the students outside of the classroom (and the opportunity for them to interact with me in a less intense setting than Con Hall!). I also love working with our Psychology Peer Mentors who are always such amazing upper-year students.
Top tip for incoming students: The transition from high school to university can present all sorts of challenges (academically, socially, emotionally), so remember to be compassionate with yourself. Not everything will go exactly as planned, and that is okay!
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Title: Undergraduate Program and Outreach Coordinator
About me: I'm an academic advisor with 20 years of experience in education, from student services and academic support at U of T and McGill University to teaching abroad. My own studies began with a BFA from OCAD University. I'm also a certified meditation and yoga instructor, with years of training in martial arts and a passion for scuba diving.
Why FLCs? The onset of a student's post-secondary journey is a pivotal point in their life, and the support, resources and sense of community that FLCs provides sets them up for success. It's a privilege to offer students guidance and a helping hand in this way.
Top tip for incoming students: Keep your mind open and take the time to explore your interests, enjoy your studies and engage in extracurricular activities. This time in your life provides a unique opportunity to do so, especially in such a supportive environment.
Preferred Name: Noah
Pronouns: he/him/his
Program(s): Psychology Specialist
Year: Fifth
College: Victoria College
Hometown: Perth, Ontario
What activities have you been involved in on campus? FLC (mentor and mentee), Various research projects (i.e., Volunteer RA, Lab Manager, Independent Project), advisorship director at the Collective Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), Volunteer Notetaking, Gen AI Student Committee
Why peer mentorship? I have definitely experienced a nonlinear path in my undergrad (I'm in my fifth year of a four year degree), and I want to be able to pass along what I have learned to the first years. On one hand, I want them to learn how to avoid making some of the mistakes I have made to set them up for success, but on another hand, I want them to know that success *is* making the mistakes that will set you up on your future pathway.
What are you looking forward to this academic year? I'm looking forward to the opportunity to continue to inspire FLCees through the FLC program, as well as the opportunity to further develop my research through another independent research project!
What advice would you give to first-year students? University is very different from high school. It'll be a lot harder to get the high grades you might be used to, but there are so many more support systems to help you improve that mark and get the best experience out of University -- so don't be afraid to ask!
Preferred Name: Emma
Pronouns: they/them/theirs; she/her/hers
Program(s): Double major in Psychology and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, minor in Biology
Year: Third
College: Woodsworth College
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
What activities have you been involved in on campus? Innovation Hub (Design Researcher), Barense and Duncan labs (Research Assistant), Einstein lab (Research Assistant), Second Year Learning Community (Mentee)
Why peer mentorship? My three years at university has taught me one important thing that I always advocate for: no matter the situation, having support is a game changer. I chose peer mentorship because it allows me to interact closely with incoming students and use my past experiences to make their transition to university easier and fun. It's a big change, coming to university. It's an even bigger change coming to university abroad, leaving the comfort of your home behind. It is important to have someone to guide you through the process, and I look forward to providing this guidance to students whenever they need it.
What are you looking forward to this academic year? I look forward to meeting new people this year! As this is likely my last year here, I want to make the most of it and connect with people outside of my academics. Along with that, I look forward to the opportunities I have been blessed with, specifically working as a research assistant for projects I am passionate about and, of course, this peer mentorship opportunity!
What advice would you give to first-year students? Never compare your journey to someone else's! Everyone comes with different backgrounds, opportunities and talents. Just because someone else seems to be doing a lot does not mean you are doing too little!