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First Year Student Orientation

Welcome to the Crimson Experience

At BSU our orientation process is called the "Crimson Experience." Orientation is not just a one-time event - it is an engaging process that begins from the moment a new first year student deposits to the end of their first semester!

Once you have deposited, we encourage you to visit your New Student Dashboard to complete time-sensitive tasks to get on track before the semester begins. To support you in your transition, Fall 2025 students will be assigned a Summer Crimson Orientation session happening in the month of June. Check your BSU email for an email from orientation@bridgew.edu that'll provide your session assignment. 

Save the Date for Sunday, August 31, 2025 for your Crimson Celebration! All new to BSU students will be expected to attend this Fall Kick-Off event where we introduce you to time-honored traditions and come together to celebrate YOU becoming a BSU Bear!

If you have any questions about the Crimson Experience or your New Student Dashboard, please reach out to Orientation at 508.531.1840 or email 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.

To stay on track, be sure to access your personalized New Student Dashboard.  This is your step-by-step guide to complete time-sensitive items so we can make progress together towards your Fall 2024 semester.

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

BSU Checkpoint

BSU Checkpoint is a program designed to assist you in completing your time-sensitive items like placement testing, scheduling a one-on-one advising appointment, and much more! This program is geared for you as an individual and offers the campus resources to help.  

To stay on track, be sure to access your personalized New Student Dashboard.  This is your step-by-step guide to complete time-sensitive items so we can make progress together towards your Fall 2024 semester.

*Family members and supporters are welcome to register for the “Family” portion of this program.

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 Orientation

Your Crimson Experience continues with the Crimson Orientation in late August/early September. Crimson Day offers a variety of interactive and individualized sessions and touchpoints designed for new to BSU students to make connections, learn about BSU, and engage with the BSU community, like our annual "Crimson Celebration”.

Stay tuned for more information!

Orientation Leader helping new student on computer

The First Semester Roadmap

Participating in the First Semester Roadmap program is the final step in your Crimson Experience. The First Semester Roadmap is a multifaceted program that runs throughout your first semester and has three major components: a biweekly customized newsletter communication with important resources and reminders, a peer mentoring opportunity, and an EngageBSU checklist with various recommended and required action items designed to help you get the most out of your first semester.

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. For fall 2024, the form to submit your essay will open in late February. Completing all placement testing by June 28 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 June 28 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 the Math placement test has been completed and English placement essay is completed and scored, students will receive their Advising Welcome email. Advising Welcome emails will be sent out to students’ BSU email accounts starting in late-May and will contain important information about the course registration process, including a link to an instructional video which walks students and families step-by-step through the process. Students will be required to review the personalized course recommendations created by an Academic Advisor and will use them to create their first semester Registration Plan.  Advising Welcome emails will come from NewStudentAdvising@bridgew.edu.  
 
After students create their Registration Plan, they will schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor.  Students should schedule these appointments as soon as possible.  During their academic advising appointment, students will register for their classes, begin building an advising relationship, and have any other questions answered to 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.

Welcome Back BBQ with students in foreground playing cornhole

Opening Day & Kick-Off

Are you ready to kick-off your journey at BSU? While there are so many opportunities to get involved on campus, we want YOU to take advantage of this opportunity before classes start in exploring what options might be right for you. During our Kick-Off and Opening Day, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff before connecting in the classroom, see what student organizations and activities you might want to get involved in, and even attend a Welcome BBQ at University Park that welcomes the entire BSU community.  

Kick-Off then continues with a variety of other engaging programming and events throughout the first several weeks of the semester, which are designed to help you get a taste of all the opportunities open to you so you can jump in whenever and however is most comfortable for you! During this time, we hope you’ll attend some campus staples including Bingo hosted by Program Council or even attend a Student Government Association Meeting, where students help to advocate for YOUR student experience. Learn more about getting involved on campus and other BSU traditions here.    

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!

Related Links And Resources

Academic Achievement Center
Campus Map
Career Services and Internships
Counseling Services
Financial Aid
Living on Campus
Student Handbook
Student Involvement