Join a Community of Friends!
Start your U of T journey with support, connection and confidence! A First-Year Learning Community (FLC) is a free co-curricular program that helps you build academic skills, meet inspiring mentors and make lasting friendships.
About FLCs
A FLC (pronounced “flick”) is a small group of first-year students who meet in person each week and are pre-enrolled in several courses, labs and tutorials together. It’s a built-in support system designed to help you succeed academically and socially.
Who Can Join
All incoming Arts & Science students can apply. While everyone is welcome, FLCs are especially meaningful for Indigenous, Black, international, commuter, first‑generation and access program students who want support in finding community and connection from day one.
What You Will Do
Weekly FLC sessions include activities that strengthen academic skills, provide study time and help you connect with peers. Sessions are led by upper-year students with guidance from faculty and staff advisors. Peer mentors will also bring in guests to offer workshops on academic skills. You will be introduced to your FLC group at a welcome session during the second week of classes.
When you join a FLC, you will be automatically enrolled in two or three core first-year courses, labs and tutorials alongside other students in your admission category. These courses are commonly required for many programs in your area of study. You will choose your remaining first-year courses during your designated enrolment time in July.
You will see your FLC-assigned courses listed in ACORN (U of T's information system) by mid-July. At your scheduled enrolment time in July, you will be able to add other courses.
If you decide to drop any FLC-assigned courses, you can do so at any time — even before your enrolment window opens. Dropping one FLC-assigned course does not remove you from the others, and you will still remain part of the FLC community. However, once you drop a course, you will not be re-enrolled in it through your FLC.
Benefits
Starting university is an exciting new chapter and FLCs help you make a smooth transition from high school to university. By joining, you will:
- See familiar faces in your lectures, tutorials and FLC sessions
- Build friendships and a sense of belonging
- Learn essential academic strategies for success
- Connect with upper-year students, staff and faculty who can support your academic journey
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026-27 academic year open on June 1, 2026. Please email us at flc@utoronto.ca if you have any questions.
FAQs
Yes! Weekly sessions are designed to fit your schedule and help you balance academics and life. Building connections with peers in your area of study is an important part of academic success, and FLCs give you that opportunity. By attending weekly sessions, you will also gain skills and strategies that support your learning and help you create friendships that last beyond your first year.
No. FLCs are completely free. Each group even has a budget for activities, supplies and refreshments.
Not for course credit, but you will receive a Co-Curricular Record (CCR) notation that highlights your participation. This notation can be valuable for graduate school applications, research opportunities and job applications.
No problem. U of T classes start 10 minutes past the hour to give you time to travel between classes. For example, a lecture or FLC session scheduled for 2:00 pm will begin at 2:10 pm.
No. Peer mentors are upper-year students who share tips and experiences and lead FLC sessions alongside staff and faculty advisors. They also act as a resource to help you navigate your classes, Arts & Science and U of T.
Yes. You can join a Recognized Study Group (RSG). RSGs are student-led study groups of up to eight classmates enrolled in the same Arts & Science course. They’re a great way to make friends in your classes, review course material, prepare for tests and exams, and learn effective study strategies. RSGs also help you stay motivated and connected throughout the term. You can apply to lead an RSG for one of your first-year courses in late August or join an existing RSG during the first week of classes. RSGs are free and recognized on your Co-Curricular Record, just like FLCs.