Freshman Learning Communities

Because FLC/PLC classes are linked, you’re not able to change just one. This means that to change one course, you’ll need to change your entire FLC/ PLC. You can see which FLC/PLCs still have open seats on the Block Registration page in PAWS. If you see one that works better, you can submit a Change Order Request form. Once your request is processed, you’ll have 48 hours to switch. As a student in an FLC/ PLC, you must be registered for a learning community before you can add additional courses to your schedule.

If you need to change your FLC/PLC because your major changed, please complete the Change Order Request form here. We will reply to your inquiry within 3-5 business days to change your major and show you new learning community options.

The process of changing your math is not automatic. If your math course is a non-linked FLC/PLC course, you can change it in PAWS.

If you’d like to change the classes that are NOT in your FLC/PLC-linked courses, you can do that in PAWS. Be sure that you are thinking about any advice your academic advisor gave you and choosing classes that will help you get closer to graduation! We recommend keeping the courses you registered for at New Student Orientation but looking at the schedule to find other sections at times that work for you. Click here for a video on how to change your non-FLC/PLC courses in PAWS!

Please go to this link to review the course credits for AP and this link to review the course credits for IB. For AP, you need to score at least three to receive credit for a college class.

Make sure that your official scores and final transcripts have been received by Georgia State University! See this page for more details for how to send scores. Once your scores have been received, you can log into PAWS and change your non-linked FLC/ PLC courses.  Click here for a video on how to change your non-FLC/ PLC courses in PAWS!

We recommend that students do not opt out. Students who opt out will be dropped from both FLC/PLC-linked and non-linked reserved courses on their schedule. Then, they must create a schedule with open seats on the Georgia State University fall class schedule. Because returning students have already registered and many seats are reserved for students in FLC/PLCs, it can be challenging to find appropriate classes with open seats at times you’d like to take them. If you decide this route is the best choice for you, you can submit this Change Order Request form to request to be opted out. We will respond to your inquiry within 3-5 business days to opt you out.

As a first-year student at the Atlanta campus, you’ve been registered in a Freshman Learning Community (FLC). The FLC includes your GSU 1010 course and two to three other courses, which are linked. You can tell which classes are in the FLC because you won’t have the option to drop them in PAWS.

As a first-year student at Perimeter College, you’ve been registered in a Perimeter Learning Community (PLC). The PLC includes your GSU 1010 course and two to three other courses, which are linked. You can tell which classes are in the PLC because you won’t have the option to drop them in PAWS.

All incoming first-year students are expected to join and actively participate in an FLC.

Since 1999 our data show that students in FLCs tend to perform better academically, are more likely to maintain the HOPE scholarship, acclimate to their college environment at a faster pace, as well as make earlier connections with faculty members and fellow students. The university wants to ensure that students begin their college career on a positive and successful note, and we believe that the Freshman Learning Community is a great way to get you started on the right path.

Each FLC consists of general education Core Curriculum courses that will apply to any major. In other words, FLCs are not restricted to particular majors, nor do you have to declare a major in order to register for an FLC. If, at the end of the first semester, you decide to select a major in a different area, you can be sure that your courses will count as part of your general education requirements towards graduation.

All FLCs are built around a particular field of interest:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business
• Exploratory
• Education
• Health
• Policy
• Social Sciences
• STEM

This brings students together who are drawn to a particular major related to the field. Through their involvement in an FLC, students form a small, friendly community within a large, research university.

If you are happy with your schedule, the next step is to prepare for the fall semester! Keep an eye on your GSU email for updates and action items before the semester begins. In August, log into iCollege to look at your syllabi and prepare for classes to begin on August 21!

Now that you are registered for your classes, you may ask where you need to go.

In order to see the location of your classes and the meeting times:
1. Log in to your PAWS account.

2. Click on the second blue tab labeled "One Stop Shop."

3. On the left hand side of the page you will see a section labeled "GoSOLAR," click on the "Registration Menu" folder.

4. Click on the link labeled "View Concise Student Schedule;" this will bring up a list of all your registered courses as well as the general course information for the class.

The location of the class can be viewed under the "Location" column.

On that screen, you will also be able to see the days/times of your classes and the instructor's name (if you see staff, the instructor has not yet been assigned).

Please note that the M stands for Monday, T for Tuesday, W for Wednesday, R for Thursday, and F for Friday. So a class that has a meeting time of TR 11:00-12:15 meets on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00.

Some building codes: GCB is General Classroom Building, ClSo is Classroom South, Sparks is Sparks Hall, Adhold is Aderhold, Kell is Kell Hall, COE is College of Education, Urban is Urban Life.

FLCs are composed of Core courses related to a meta-major; LLCs are related to an academic theme or interest associated with living arrangements in University Housing.

Living Learning Communities is an initiative through University Housing that provides students with a supportive learning experience; each LLC focuses on providing a common experience for students who live on campus and is not focused solely on first-year students. LLCs attempt to connect students to an academic area, theme or interest. University Housing staff collaborate with other University resources and departments to develop programs and services appropriate to each LLC and related to the area, theme, or interest of the Living Learning Community.

Students may join both a FLC and LLC. One is not dependent on the other. University Housing does have several LLCs that truly complement several FLC topics.  In these cases, we encourage students to do both to further enhance their collegiate experience. To join a LLC, students do have to live on campus. Find out more information on LLCs here.

Georgia State offers this opportunity because data has shown--from 1999 to the present--that students who participate in an FLC tend to perform better academically, are more likely to maintain the HOPE scholarship, acclimate to their college environment at a faster pace, as well as make earlier connections with faculty members and fellow students. The university wants to ensure that students start their college career on a positive and successful note, and we believe that the Freshman Learning Community is a great way to get you started on the right path.

Learn what Georgia State University has to offer you in the classroom and beyond; become a part of the university from the beginning of your college career and make a successful transition to university life.

The GSU 1010: First-Year Experience course provides students with essential information about the academic demands of the University, its rules, procedures, resources, and academic, social, and personal “survival skills” that contribute to academic success. The GSU 1010: First-Year Experience curriculum encourages students to establish supportive relationships with peers and faculty and to become an integral part of the academic community.

In addition to offering, you the necessary information and skills to navigate the university, GSU 1010: First-Year Experience also exposes you to the academic field of your choice through an examination of the general area of study and related principles. FLC/PLC instructors coordinate activities and assignments across disciplines, providing the content through which the GSU 1010: First-Year Experience course serves as a format for group activities and theme integration within the community.

GSU 1010: First-Year Experience offers students a unique opportunity to learn about themselves, form bonds with others in their FLC, and gain an appreciation for the university and its environment.

Based on a student’s academic performance, a letter grade, following the plus/minus grading system, will be assigned upon completion of the course. The grade for GSU 1010: First-Year Experience counts in the student’s GPA; credits earned in GSU 1010: First-Year Experience do not apply to the 120 credit hours required to graduate.

Georgia State offers this opportunity because data has shown--from 1999 to the present--that students who participate in an FLC/PLC tend to perform better academically, are more likely to maintain the HOPE scholarship, acclimate to their college environment at a faster pace, as well as make earlier connections with faculty members and fellow students. The university wants to ensure that students start their college career on a positive and successful note, and we believe that the Freshman Learning Community is a great way to get you started on the right path.

It is strongly recommended (and not just because you are in an FLC/PLC). The Math Placement Exam will determine which math course you are eligible to register for. The math course(s) needed vary based on majors. You can find more info at:

• The Student Advisement Center
• The Counseling & Testing Center

It depends on your major (click here for specific majors and their Math requirements). Math 1101 Mathematical Modeling is sufficient for most majors in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Math 1101 is NOT recommended for majors in Natural Sciences. Please note that Math 1101 is not a prerequisite for Math 1111. Math 1111 College Algebra is recommended for majors in the Social Sciences, Business, and Education. Math 1111 is the prerequisite for Math 1113. Math 1113 Precalculus is required for majors in the Natural Sciences and students interested in the medical field. Math 1070 Statistics is helpful, specifically for most Business and Social Sciences majors. For any other questions, please consult your academic advisor and/or the catalog.

It really depends on your major.

Biology, Chemistry, and Pre-Med majors need to take Biol 2107K and Biol 2108K. To register for these courses, however, you must first pass Chem 1211K with a grade of C or higher.

It is recommended that Pre-Nursing students register for Biol 1110K. Pre-Nursing students can also register for Biol 1103K/Biol 1104K or Chem 1151K/Chem 1152K to fulfill their lab sequence requirements (Area D).

Other majors are not required to take a biology course; they can, however, take Biol 1103K and Biol 1104K to fulfill their lab sequence requirements (Area D).

Please go to this link to review the course credits for AP and this link to review the course credits for IB. For AP, you need to score at least three to receive credit for a college class.

Now that you are registered for your classes, you may ask what books you need.

1. Log in to your PAWS account.
2. Click on the second blue tab labeled "One Stop Shop."
3. Towards the bottom of the page you will see a section labeled "New Channel;" in this section click on the link labeled "Buy Textbooks Online."
4. Click "I Agree" on the Agreements page and you will be taken directly to the Georgia State Bookstore where you will see a list of your required books. Books can also be purchased directly from this page.

If your question isn’t answered here, please check out the contact information below.

For all other FLC/PLC questions, please email us at [email protected] (Atlanta campus students) or at [email protected] (Perimeter College students).

For financial aid, registrar, or admissions questions, please submit a ticket or create an appointment using Panther Answer.

For housing questions, please visit the Housing website.