The first year experience for a student can be daunting. The onslaught of tests, study groups and finding new friends brings new challenges. The individual efforts of the Freshman Interest Groups and the Living Learning Communities as groups of like-minded students have helped incoming freshmen in this respect, but recently the two have decided to team up.

The collaboration of the FIGs and the LLCs with the TCU LEAPS project is a way for students to become more comfortable in their new surroundings. The two are joining to help with an annual community service project this fall that will not only benefit the community but give freshmen a chance to interact with one another. This partnership also has the members of the LLCs working on a service project that falls into their group’s theme.

Community service is an important part of the university’s culture, and giving one’s time to a worthy cause such as this should not go unnoticed. The projects get the students out of their dorms and off campus, opening their eyes to new people, places and opportunities.

The groups’ involvement is good but that shouldn’t discourage students who are unaffiliated with them. Taking your eyes off a television and getting out of the dorm once in a while can be good for some fresh air, but it can also benefit the community as well.

Multimedia editor Chance Welch for the editorial board.