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First Year Student Orientation

Welcome to the Crimson Experience

Orientation is not just an event at BSU— it is an engaging process that begins from the moment a new first year student deposits to the end of their first semester! At BSU this is called the “Crimson Experience.” If you have any questions about the Crimson Experience, please reach out to Orientation at 508.531.1840 or orientation@bridgew.edu.

large light up capital letters that say GO BEARS in rainbow colors

Bear Launch

The Bear Launch welcome call is a required first step for new first year students to kickstart their Crimson Experience. Students will receive an email from orientation@bridgew.edu with an assigned date and time for a one-on-one phone call. Bear Launch calls will resume in August 2023.
4 BSU students smiling together on the BSU quad with other students sitting or walking behind them

BSU Checkpoint

During this program, you will be able to confirm items on your Checklist and make connections with your peers! The Checkpoint program is run throughout the month of June. If you are unable to attend, remember to continue to check your BSU email for important information leading up to the start of the semester, and review your First Year or Transfer Checklists for your next steps!
2 BSU first year students sitting next to each other at Crimson Days event. One, wearing a blue baseball cap, has his forehead resting on top of a small red and white inflatable ball while the second student with a black baseball cap worn backwards holds 3 small inflatable balls while looking at the first and laughing

Crimson Days

Your Crimson Experience continues with “Crimson Days” - a variety of interactive events designed for new to BSU students to make connections, learn about BSU and engage with the BSU community. 

SAVE THE DATE! For fall 2023, Crimson Days kicks off with Crimson Celebration on Thursday Aug. 31 at 7pm in Tinsley. More Crimson Days programming will then be held on Friday Sept. 1 and Saturday Sept. 2 from approximately 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  More information to come! 

Orientation Leader helping new student on computer

Bear Connections

Bear Connections is a program that runs throughout the first semester. All new first year students are connected to a trained student leader who serves as a peer guide as they navigate the ins and outs of being a new bear!
a female student with long brown hair wearing glasses, a brown winter hat, headphones and green hoodie sits at a table and writes on paper while a laptop sits open in front of her
Students must submit their English essay to choose classes and meet with an advisor in the Academic Achievement Center. Completing all placement testing as soon as possible will ensure you are able to register at the earliest possible time.
A student listens intently in class while taking notes
Students must complete their Bridgewater Elementary Algebra Readiness (BEAR) Exam to choose classes and meet with an advisor in the Academic Achievement Center. Completing all placement testing as soon as possible will ensure you are able to register at the earliest possible time.
Sociology professor kneeling down and talking to a student who is sitting at a desk in class with an open laptop

Advising and Registration

After completing Math and English placement testing, students will receive their personalized Advising Welcome Email to their BSU email with recommended courses to register for and the link to sign up for their individual advising appointment. Advising Welcome Emails will begin being sent to students’ BSU email accounts May 22, 2023. The email will come from NewStudentAdvising@bridgew.edu. 

Students should follow the instructions in their Advising Welcome Email to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor and register for classes as soon as possible. During the advising appointment, advisors will finalize course schedules,  begin building the advising relationship, and any answer questions students have to help them feel prepared to start at BSU.

ooking into a window with a sign that spells out "Welcome" in English and sign language above a neon sign that says BE SEEN

Accommodations and Accessibility

If you have a disability and need to request accommodations or campus mobility/access planning, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 508.531.2194 or SAS@bridgew.edu.
girl with long dark hair wearing red and black flannel shirt using a computer in Maxwell Library

 

 

Helpful Videos

View helpful how-to videos for new bears!