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First-Year Experience

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Campus Life First-Year Experience
Campus Life

First-year programming at W&L allows first-year students to bond before they ever step into the classroom. Through this programming, they are able to participate in memorable and meaningful experiences like community service, outdoor exploration and experiential trips. Then, when classes begin, students have access to class deans, peer tutors and counselors, faculty advisors and others to ensure success inside and outside of the classroom.

Mission 

First-Year Experience facilitates first-year students connecting with the campus community, exploring academic and personal pathways, and developing skills and habits for success.

Connect 

Students build a sense of belonging and relationships within the campus community.

  • Feel comfortable, valued, and part of the community.
  • Establish meaningful relationships with peers, faculty, and staff that support academic and personal success.
  • Utilize campus resources and support networks.

Explore 

Students discover interests, identities, and opportunities for learning.

  • Explore a range of academic disciplines, ideas, and perspectives.
  • Identify personal interests, values, and strengths and relate them to academic and career possibilities.
  • Reflect on experiences to assess challenges, growth, and learning preferences.

Develop 

Students build skills, agency, and intentional plans for success.

  • Apply academic skills such as time management and study strategies.
  • Use self-assessment and feedback to refine well-being, resilience, empathy, and ethical decision-making.
  • Create short- and long-term personal and professional development plans.
     

Students moving in

Before You Arrive

The First-Year Experience is up and running by mid-April with the Onboarding Process and Summer Timeline mailing, which outlines the summer responsibilities of a new General. This information will explain how to obtain your ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ e-mail and what forms need to be filled out.

Students hiking on a trail

Leading Edge

Leading Edge is at the beginning of First-Year student orientation. Leading Edge provides students the opportunity to begin their college career with friends, a sense of community, sharpened teamwork skills and a memorable, meaningful and challenging experience. Students often say Leading Edge week is one of their best college memories.

Students during Orientation Week

Orientation Week

Before classes start, Orientation Week introduces new students to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ traditions, the undergraduate curriculum, student organizations, and educational and social events. And it’s a great way to meet new friends.

President Dudley speaking to first-year students in the University Chapel

Your First Year

Learn more about academics and how to get involved on campus during your first year, along with services offered at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, and frequently asked questions.

A family on campus during Parents and Families Weekend

Parents and Families

Information for first-year parents and families regarding correspondence, Parents Orientation, Parents and Family Weekend, financial resources, and more.

Student Support

Students have access to class deans, peer tutors and counselors, faculty advisors, and others to ensure success inside and outside of the classroom.

Faculty Connection

Academic Advising

Each first-year student is matched with a faculty adviser to assist with course scheduling and degree requirements. After declaring their major, students may select a major adviser for more specialized academic, career and graduate school advice.

Student Collaboration

Peer Tutors

The Peer Tutoring Program provides academic assistance for students through their peers. This program is available to all students, free of charge. Upper-division students are available to all students in most entry-level courses. The program is designed to help students who may be struggling in their class, and also those looking for an extra boost of academic success.

Student Affairs

Class Deans

Each class is assigned a class dean who provides advice and counsel as students develop intellectually, socially and emotionally throughout their college careers. Class deans provide programming and support tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges that students face during each step of their ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ education.

Support

Lindley Health and Counseling

Lindley Health provides medical evaluation and care of student health concerns, both in an outpatient office setting, and an infirmary setting for round-the-clock care when needed. Lindley Counseling provides direct psychotherapy services, assessment of academic problems, and (with student consent) collaboration with faculty, administrative personnel, or parents to provide necessary supports for struggling students. Psychiatric consultation is also available.

The First-Year Experience

First-year programming at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ allows first-year students to bond before they ever step into the classroom.

Appalachian Adventure, which takes students on a four-night hike of the Appalachian Trail, is a popular Leading Edge program at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½.

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“First-Year Orientation Committee is a group of students who work year-round to plan and prepare for incoming students. With over 100 members, FYOC organizes everything from the First-Year Olympics to carnival night, and everything in between.”

Laura Beth Lavette
Major: Biochemistry • Minor: Poverty Studies