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 1:1 phone call with an Orientation Leader.

4 BSU students smiling together on the BSU quad with other students sitting or walking behind them

BSU Checkpoint

Your BSU Checkpoint is a required step for new first year students. During this program, you will be able to confirm items on your Checklist and make connections with your peers! This program is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a family program offered at the same time. We are offering 6 in person sessions and 1 virtual session in June. Your assigned date and details will be sent to your BSU email.

Crimson Days

A variety of interactive events provided each day for new BSU students to make connections, learn about BSU and engage with the BSU community.

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

English Placement Testing

Students must submit their English essay to choose classes and meet with an advisor in the Academic Achievement Center. Completing all placement testing by May 12 will ensure you are able to register at the earliest possible time.

A student listens intently in class while taking notes

Math Placement Testing

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 by May 12 will ensure you are able to register at the earliest possible time.

professor helping a student at a desk with a laptop open

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 in late May.

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.