First Year Student Orientation

Get Started Now

New students are guided through the registration process with the support of an Academic Advisor from the Academic Achievement Center (AAC). The goal of this registration process is for new students to have a complete schedule as they prepare for their first semester at BSU.

If you have any questions about the Advising and Registration process, please reach out to the Academic Achievement Center at either 508.531.1214 or academicachievement@bridgew.edu.

Placement Testing

Students must complete their Bridgewater Elementary Algebra Readiness (BEAR) Exam as well as submit their English essay to choose fall classes and meet with an advisor in the Academic Achievement Center. Completing all placement testing by May 10 will ensure you are able to register at the earliest possible time.

View information on Math and English placement testing.

professor helping a student at a desk with a laptop open

Advising and Registration

After completing placement testing, students receive their personalized Advising Welcome 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 23, 2022.

During the advising appointment, advisors will finalize course schedules and answer questions.

Your 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.

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.

Orientation Leaders and first year students engaged in outdoor activity

Your BSU Checkpoint

New - Your BSU Checkpoint is a required step for new first year students. During this program, you will be able to confirm items on your Bear Guide and make connections with your peers! This half day program is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a family program offered at the same time. We are offering 12 sessions over June and your assigned date and details will be sent to your BSU email.

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!

Get Connected

Download the Mobile App

The BSU Mobile app is where you can connect with New Bears on the New Student Wall. Log in today using your BSU email address and password.

Watch this video tutorial on how to use the app and find other new Bears.

Apple App Store »
Google Play »

Engage BSU

Explore. Experience. Lead

EngageBSU is the official involvement platform for getting connected to the BSU community.
Students can sign in with their BSU email and password to begin to explore events and various organizations to join.