Orientation is not just an event at Bridgewater State University — 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The BSU orientation staff — a.k.a. OTEAM — is beyond excited to meet you!
These student leaders will start connecting with new students from the time you deposit and will remain an important resource throughout their first semester. They will reach out by phone and on virtual platforms, and they cannot wait to meet all our new Bears in person.
