The First-Year Experience (FYE) at Southwestern University is designed to help new students transition into university life with intention, support, and community. Combining academic, co-curricular, and personal growth components, FYE ensures students feel connected, empowered, and ready to succeed—both in and outside the classroom.
Welcome Week
Welcome Week is a series of events designed to help new students transition to Southwestern University. It includes orientation activities, social events, and opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and fellow students.
Your first-year experience begins with Welcome Week! Get ready for an unforgettable start to your Southwestern journey, packed with exciting events, new friendships, and everything you need to feel right at home.
Introductory Seminar
Your academic journey at Southwestern starts with a First-Year or Advanced-Entry Seminar. This three-credit, small, discussion-based course will introduce you to the heart of a liberal arts education, making connections across disciplines, ideas, and experiences. You’ll build essential skills in critical reading, writing, research, and dialogue, and, most importantly, you’ll begin to see how your classroom learning connects with the world around you
- First-Year Seminar (FYS) — for first-year students
- Advanced-Entry Seminar (AES) — for transfer students
First-Year Experience Workshops
As part of your First-Year Experience, you’ll take part in a series of six interactive workshops that support your transition to college and count as a 1-credit course. Held during your regular FYS/AES class time, these sessions are led by Professional First-Year Advisors and FYS/AES faculty. You’ll explore topics like academic success, identity, community engagement, and career readiness, all while discovering key campus resources. Each workshop is thoughtfully designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to thrive both academically and personally at Southwestern.
This workshop invites you to explore what health and well-being look like in college, while reflecting on your own needs and practicing proactive strategies for caring for your mental and physical health. It’s about what it truly means to be a Southwestern Pirate—embracing college life as a whole and balanced person.
This workshop engages you in understanding how you belong within the Southwestern community as a whole. You will leave with a clear idea of the various opportunities for involvement on campus and off, a personalized plan for taking part, and increased confidence in civil dialogue when communicating with others.
This workshop introduces you to the tools, resources, and opportunities available to support you success at Southwestern, no matter you starting point. With a focus on practical skill-building, you will explore your preferred learning and study strategies, strengthen time management skills, and learn how to be an active participant in you academic journey.
In this workshop, you’ll engage in living and learning within the core values of Southwestern University, such as respecting the worth and dignity of others and embracing diverse perspectives. Through critical thinking, empathy, and dialogue, students will build a deeper sense of belonging in our liberal arts community and a shared commitment to the well-being of humanity.
In this workshop, you explore the four high-impact experiences at our university–study abroad, internships, community-engaged learning, and faculty-mentored research–and how they connect to our Paideia philosophy of learning.
This workshop engages you in thinking about, designing, and developing your academic and professional identity, empowering you with the ideas and resources needed to understand (and then market) yourself and your college careers in the broader world of work.
First-Year Experience Events
First-Year Experience Events are your all-access pass to making friends, discovering campus life, and picking up the tips and tools you need to succeed in your first year at Southwestern!
| Event | Date |
| Health & Wellness Workshop | August 1 |
| Involvement & Community Workshop | August 1 |
| Academic Success Workshop | September 1 |
| Identity Workshop | September 1 |
| Paideia & High-Impact Experience Workshop | October 1 |
| Purpose Workshop | October 1 |
| Talk Like a Pirate Day Treasure Hunt | September 19 |
| Spring into Action: Social Justice Week | November |
| Weeks of Welcome Back | January |
| Next Dimension Leadership Program | January - April |
| Sweet Surprise | Select Wednesdays Throughout the Year |
| Pirate Adventures | Throughout the Year |
1 During Your Introductory Seminar
Resources
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Building Acronyms
Decode your class schedule and find your way around campus. -
Campus Contacts & Emergency Contacts
Know who to reach out to for support and resources. -
Dining on Campus
See what’s on the menu and where to grab a bite. -
Student Handbook
Your go-to guide for policies, expectations, and student life. -
Quick Links Just for Students
A curated list of resources to make life easier.