And we're back! A student's guide to academic success and campus life at FIU

A roaring Fall semester is officially here, Panthers! A surprise renaming of our football team’s home turf earlier this month (hello, Pitbull Stadium!) is just the beginning – there are so many exciting things to come in the 2024-2025 school year.

Remember: The college experience is about so much more than just taking classes. FIU is a vibrant university with endless opportunities to make friends, explore personal and professional interests, and prepare for your future career.

"We are eager to help you explore your interests and the causes that matter to you as you progress through your academic journey," said Charlie Andrews, interim vice president for Student Affairs. “Remember, there is a wealth of resources available inside and outside of the classroom to support you and ensure your success.”

Have fun – there's so much to do here!

FIU is home to more than 200 registered student organizations, including 30 fraternities and sororities, honor societies, leadership- and community service-driven organizations, and clubs that explore personal interests, identity, faith, politics and more. There truly is something for everyone.

Log in to Panther Connect with your FIU credentials to access the full list of student organizations, view a calendar of student events, sign up to participate in community service or professional networking opportunities, and more.

This is your chance to make memories and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Interested in Greek life?
Membership recruitment and intake is happening now and continues throughout September.

And don’t forget to show up and ROAR for our student-athletes! FIU students get free admission to home games and matches for all FIU sports. Students can even bring a guest for free to football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball home games. View the Fall 2024 schedule online.

“We all know that it means so much to our student-athletes when they see a packed crowd at our FIU Athletics events,” said Athletic Director Scott Carr. “They compete at a higher level with their fellow Panthers cheering them on, and I know they cherish every moment they get to play in front of large crowds of students and fans.”

Find the tools you need to succeed in class.

It won’t be long before you’re juggling assignment deadlines and trying to find time to study – all while balancing extracurriculars or shifts at work. But FIU offers a variety of resources to support your academic needs.

Visit the Center for Academic Success to participate in tutoring, workshops, study halls and small group sessions. The center also offers personalized success plans created by an academic coach and tailored to your individual needs. The Center for Testing and Career Certification offers in-person and virtual exams such as the Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), ACT and other exams to meet your academic needs.

The Disability Resource Center is a one-stop shop that accommodates service needs for students with disabilities and guides them throughout the college experience. The Veteran and Military Affairs team helps ensure each veteran and military-affiliated learner can understand and access their education benefits and fulfill their professional goals.

FIU Student Access and Success supports underrepresented learners throughout their college career with study spaces and academic assistance, professional development and much more. Its services include Fostering Panther Pride (for former foster youth and students experiencing housing insecurity), first-generation college student initiatives, and federally funded TRIO programs like Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program.

Are you involved in research this semester? The 2024 McNair Scholars Research Conference, scheduled for Oct. 27-29 at FIU, is accepting abstracts now through Sept. 23. Learn more about the program and apply online.

Keep your health and wellness in check.

Taking care of your body and mind is key to being able to focus in class and maintain your momentum throughout a busy semester.

FIU Student Health & Wellness services are designed to support you on a holistic level to ensure you have the physical and mental wellness you need to achieve in and out of the classroom. Funded by the Health Fee, you have access to primary care services, in-person and online counseling, nutrition coaching, massages, sexual health materials, and much more.

FIU Wellness and Recreation offers a variety of options to help you destress, build your strength and keep up with your fitness goals. Hit the gym or pool, join a fitness class, work with a personal trainer, try out for an intramural sport and more. Sign up online today – there are opportunities available at MMC and BBC.

FIU also offers the Financial Wellness Program, which helps students better understand what it means to live a financially healthy life by providing resources that help build the foundational skills for success. And personalized College Life Coaching sessions can help you set academic goals, learn study strategies and time management skills, and improve motivation.

Jumpstart your career search.

Preparing for your intended career shouldn’t be put off until the last minute. Get started planning for your dream job now – whether you’re in your first year of college or you plan to graduate soon. FIU Career and Talent Development offers an array of services, from interview prep to resume writing workshops, professional development, a career closet and more.

What’s the first step? Visit VMock, an online tool that uses AI to help you create or perfect your resume and ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. Then claim your free Handshake account to browse internship and job listings, schedule an appointment with a career advisor, or sign up for workshops.

Mark your calendar: Meet with representatives from hundreds of potential employers at FIU’s Career Fair on Sept. 16.

Looking to build critical skills that will strengthen your resume and set you apart among a crowd of job applicants? FIU offers more than 100 Micro-Credential courses for free online, with subjects ranging from artificial intelligence to emotional IQ and beyond. Upon completion of each course, you’ll receive a digital badge to add to your LinkedIn profile or resume. View the full list of Micro-Credentials and enroll online.