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Counseling Center

Freshmen (FYI) Program

The Freshman Year Initiative (FYI) is the academic year program of the Coordinated Freshman Programs, a set of programs that includes the pre-admission Immersion Programs. The FYI was instituted in 1992 to improve first to second year retention.

Seven Freshman Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not using drop/add in the first week if a course is wrong for them for some reason.
  • Taking all their most difficult courses at once, instead of balancing the load.
  • Waiting until they “feel like it” to study.
  • Waiting until the night before to write Psychology paper.
  • Not leaving room to study.
  • Working to many hours.
  • Not seeking help until a crisis.
  • Not getting to know instructors and advisor.
  • Not reading Lehman College e-mail.

The FYI Counselor

The FYI counselor provides free, confidential Individual counseling to assist freshmen students to achieve personal and academic goals during their first year of college. Some common issues that students may deal with in counseling are, but not limited to the following: college adjustment, academic concerns, stress, depression, anxiety and family issues.

In order to address many of these concerns, the FYI counselor provides individual, and group counseling, learning skills and personal development workshops, study skill assessment via the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) and study skills counseling, class presentations in both mental health and study skills areas.

Referral to services within Lehman College (e.g., academic advisement, career services, tutoring, health services, student life etc.) and to community services in their community. Please contact Jasmine Jusino, our FYI counselor, at 718-960-8761 or jasmine.jusino@lehman.cuny.edu.

To learn more about our study skills program, and improve your study skills habits, please visit the Program for Academic and Student Success (PASS).

Freshman Year Initiative/ Peer Educators

The Counseling Center FYI Counselor and Peer Educators work collaboratively with the Freshman Year Initiative (FYI) Program in an effort to promote student success, personal development and retention. Peer Educators provide freshmen students with the opportunity to become acquainted with the Lehman College Community. During the semester, the Peer Educators organize different activities including weekly workshops, social events, and creative activities. They increase awareness of counseling services through informational tables, groups and workshops. To learn more about our peer mentor program or to become a peer please calls us at 718-960-8761.

In order to be a Peer Educator you must have 60 credits and be available for supervision on Friday mornings or afternoons. To apply please visit the Peer Educator program and download an application.

Outreach/Classroom Presentations for FYI seminars

During the first weeks of the semester, the FYI Counselor and Peer Educators will visit the FYI Seminar course in each freshmen block to deliver a brief presentation of the services available to students at the Psychological Counseling Center. Students will be encouraged to utilize our services as part of their growth as a college student. Additionally, professors may request to have a full workshop delivered pertaining to various topics on academic and/or personal development.

Some Outreach Topics

  • Managing Academic Success
  • Study Strategies
  • Time Management
  • Stress Management
  • Wellness Workshop
  • Healthy Romantic Relationships
  • Overcoming Procrastination
  • Getting an A in class
  • Succeeding in College the 1st week and Beyond
  • Test Anxiety & Test Preparation
  • Getting a Good Night Sleep
  • Understanding Depression
  • Understanding Social Anxiety

Additional in classroom presentation include “stress reduction and mindfulness, LGBT awareness and Understanding Trauma”.

Request for Classroom Presentation Form