As a first-generation/low-income (FGLI) student, you bring hard work, resilience, and unique lived experiences as well as the intellectual curiosity and dedication that will help you excel here at Yale. During this time, you might face unique challenges in navigating the expectations and resources. Adjusting to college life can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone.
Understanding the “Hidden Curriculum”
Every university has its own culture and “hidden curriculum”— unspoken rules and norms that can be difficult to figure out on your own. Some aspects of the “hidden curriculum” are embedded in the following questions that many FGLI students engage with:
- What are office hours? Why should I go to them? What should I talk about?
- What is the difference between high school math homework and college-level problem sets? Why do I need to meet with other students and faculty to complete them?
- What’s a residential college dean? What’s a FroCo? What is a college advisor? Who should I go to for what advice?
- How do I balance paid work and my studies?
- When and how should I plan for summer study abroad and internships?
The Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO) will help you answer these questions and support you at Yale. Our goal is to guide you through resources and opportunities to empower you to make the most of your Yale experience.
FGLI Thrive: Workshops & Events
FGLI Thrive Events consist of experiences designed to help students take advantage of resources on campus. Workshops cover a range on topics such as leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, networking for careers, and more.
The program is managed by Josh Faires, Assistant Director for FGLI Student Success.
FGLI Thrive: Peer Mentorship
FGLI Thrive places first-year and sophomore FGLI students in small peer mentorship groups led by a junior or senior FGLI mentor. FGLI mentors share their experiences and help you develop strategies to achieve your goals at Yale. Peer mentorship groups meet regularly throughout the academic school year.
FGLI Thrive peer mentorship groups serve as a safe space for students to talk about their lived experiences, make friends, and get support while receiving information about the resources and opportunities at Yale.
OEO: Workshops & Consultations
OEO workshsops and 1-1 consultations are FGLI friendly. The majority of OEO mentors identify as FGLI and represent the full diversity of the undergraduate population. Workshops aim to demystify Yale’s “hidden curriculum” and help students navigate resources and opportunities on campus. Our workshops cover everything from talking with faculty to planning for study abroad and pre-professional opportunities.
Upcoming Events
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STEM Navigators Sunday Study Hall
Snacks? While studying and meeting peers? Come complete your p-sets, study, and meet your peers in your STEM courses. Snacks and peer mentors are here to help you with any questions about majors, summer opportunities, or classes to take in the future! Mentors will also serve as accountability buddies to make sure you stay on track during the study hall and achieve your academic goals! NOTE: Tu… -
FGLI Sunday Study Break @ The MENA Suite
Take a break, unwind, and recharge at the FGLI Sunday Study Break! Hosted by FGLI Thrive, this weekly hangout rotates between different campus partner locations. Stop by for a chill afternoon of board games, crafts, snacks, and great company with fellow FGLI students. Whether you’re here to relax, get creative, or connect with FGLI Ambassadors, this space is all about you—building communi… -
Getting the Most Out of Your Language Classes
Learning a language takes daily commitment—and it’s easy to fall behind! This workshop offers peer-tested strategies for staying engaged, reviewing effectively, and building habits that support steady progress, even when the workload piles up. -
Fantastic Mentors and Where to Find Them ♀️
Looking for someone to guide your academic path? This workshop helps you identify potential mentors, ask for support, and build lasting connections with faculty—led by juniors and seniors who’ve done it and can tell you what actually works. -
Managing a Heavy Reading Load
When the reading piles up, it can be hard to know where to start—or how to keep up. This workshop introduces practical strategies for prioritizing, previewing, and staying engaged with your reading without spending every waking hour on it. You’ll leave with a toolkit for reading more effectively and efficiently, developed and tested by students who’ve been there. -
Senior Thesis Power Hours
Writing a Senior Thesis is HARD—but it’s way more fun with snacks, support, and friends who get it! Drop in anytime to this two-hour session, hosted by the Yale College Writing Partners and Academic Strategies Peer Mentors, for: 1. Facilitated & structured focus time + breaks 2. Delicious snacks + seltzer water 3. 1:1 help from Writing Partners and Academic Strategies Peer Mentors (option… -
OCS Resumes and Cover Letters
Office of Career Services Workshop Resumes and Cover Letters January 27 from noon to 1pm Room 121 Poorvu Cener
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Eli Whitney Caffeinated Commons
Wrap up your week with community, conversation, and caffeine! Drop by this relaxed weekly hangout hosted by the Academic Strategies Program’s Eli Whitney peer mentors—sometimes there’s a theme or discussion, sometimes just snacks and good company. Whether you’re here to chat, decompress, connect, or set up your weekend, you’re always welcome. Tuesdays, 4pm-6pm coffee provided. -
STEM Navigators: How to Approach Problem Sets
Join STEM Navigators for this workshop where our mentors will go over strategies on how to approach p sets for various STEM classes! -
Fantastic Mentors and Where to Find Them ♀️: Cultivating Faculty Mentors
Looking for someone to guide your academic path? This workshop helps you identify potential mentors, ask for support, and build lasting connections with faculty—led by juniors and seniors who’ve done it and can tell you what actually works. -
STEM Navigators: How to Join a Lab: Write Your CV & Emails
This workshop is part 2 of the 3-session series, Let’s Join a Lab! Are you struggling to write out cold emails to labs that your interested in? Do you not have a CV to attach to these emails? Come to this workshop where we’ll go over the process together - just bring your research interests and your laptops! -
Organize Your Time (30 minute version) + Work Time
When’s the last time you looked at your schedule and thought, how am I supposed to do all this? This 30-minute workshop helps you learn time management strategies and begin applying them to your own week, helping you feel more in control of getting everything done. Afterward, stick around for optional quiet work time with Academic Strategies Peer Mentors on hand to support you. -
Becoming an Academic Baddie Again : Transform Your Academic Work Habits
Ready for a reset? Whether this semester feels off-track or you just want to level up, this workshop helps you reflect on what’s working, identify what’s holding you back, and experiment with new approaches to your academic work. Through guided activities and peer insight, Academic Strategies Peer Mentors help you rebuild momentum and step back into your baddie era—strategically and sustainably. -
Autism Discussion Group
A supportive discussion group for sharing experiences and strategies related to autism while navigating your journey at Yale.
We’re here to help!
Reach out to the Poorvu Center team if you have any questions or to learn more about our programs.