First Year Experience
From stepping foot onto campus until checkout day in May, first-year students are provided with an outpouring of helpful resources and relationship-building events. In addition to the support systems, opportunities, and activities enjoyed by all students, first-year students also receive the following:
Summer – Messiah staff busy preparing for students' arrival
- Accepted Student Preview Day dives deeper into the Messiah student experience
- Academic Advisor assigned by the Registrar's Office
- Registration for courses occurs in early June utilizing Blue Prints provided by the Registrar's Office
- Common text are read by all First Year Students, First Year Seminar faculty and First Year hall resident assistants (RAs) gives a shared academic experience
- Housing assignments given within the three First Year Halls are released via the Nest mid-summer
- Request a living learning community on the Nest, if interested.
Welcome Week – Orientation and you become ingrained in the Messiah community
- Welcome Week begins with uniquely designed Move-In Days
- Orientation Group Meetings acquaint students with First-Year Seminar classmates
- Residence Hall Floor Gatherings facilitate community
- Commuter lounge (Mountain View ground floor) provides commuter common gathering space
- New Student Games showcases First Year residence hall pride and builds community
- All-Hall Meetings present information about policies and procedures
- New Student Worship on Sunday morning of Welcome Week orients to Messiah's chapel experience & local church options
- Academic Advising Meetings
- Student Engagement Office kicks off the year with a Clubs & Organizations Fair
Fall Term - Classes begin and you becoming better established
- Becoming U provides ongoing orientation and relationship building with Messiah educators during Thursday morning chapel hour for the first six weeks of classes
- First Friday provides fun times on the first actual weekend of the semester
- First-Year Seminar further prepares students for college-level coursework
- Office of Academic Success provides additional academic supports meeting the needs of all students such as tutoring and academic coaching
- College Life Hacks offers a night of workshops supporting students with transition to college
- Open Door October contest among First Year floors encourages knowing your floormates
- Explore majors and possible career pathways utilizing the Career and Professional Development Center
- Deck the Halls offers friendly Christmastime competition
Spring Term - You initiate becoming well established at Messiah
- Winter Orientation welcomes new incoming mid-year first year and transfer students
- Created and Called for Community Course (CCC) emphasizes common living-learning
- The Wittlinger Chapel Series introduces biblical reconciliation themes central to the Brethren in Christ Church, the founding denomination of Messiah
- Service Day provides space for first year students and CCC faculty to volunteer on campus
- iFast encourages personal connection and reflection while fasting from technology
- Sneak Peak introduces students to the various upperclass housing options
- Finale picnic on the last Friday before finals brings together all first year students for a picnic dinner