Kicking Off Your First Year At UWRF

It's almost here.
 

Your first day, that is. With summer coming to an end and the new school year rapidly approaching, you might be starting to wonder if you are ready! There’s a lot to prepare for and a seemingly endless list of things to do. Even though transitioning to college can be a stressful time, it is also an incredibly exciting time full of opportunities for growth, learning, and tons of fun. So while you are getting ready for the start of the semester, let’s talk about a few things to expect as you prepare for what may feel like a monumental endeavor. Let’s talk about your first day on campus.

Move-In Day
 

If you are living on campus, you’ll arrive on Saturday with your belongings and perhaps some friends and family members in tow. You may worry about how you’ll get all your things up to your room, get unpacked, or maybe even about meeting your roommate for the first time. It is totally normal to feel some stress coming into such a new, unfamiliar situation, but don’t worry too much. Remember that our Move Crew will be there directing you to the right building, helping you unpack, and filling you in on the nearest cookie and refreshment station on campus. Know that your roommate is likely feeling unsure about meeting you, too, and that is okay. You will have countless experiences and a year ahead to get to know one another, and in time, you will develop a relationship that works for you both.

If your family is helping you move in, try to remain calm as they take one hundred pictures of your new home, make you pose with Freddy Falcon, and unpack your boxes in “the wrong place”. Remember that this is a big day for them, too, and they are probably feeling just as many emotions about you moving away from home as you are (though which emotions they are feeling may be slightly different than yours)! After all your things are moved in, you can finally relax for a little while before the Great Falcon Get Together and Nest Fest later that evening.

Commuter Student Orientation
 

For those of you commuting to campus, Saturday is also the same day as Commuter Student Orientation. At Commuter Student Orientation, you will get to pick up your student ID, learn about navigating campus, meet your orientation leader, and get to hang out with other new students. You may have questions about how attending UWRF will feel different than when you went to high school or your previous college, and commuting to campus sometimes comes with its own unique challenges. Commuter Orientation and the Week of Welcome will provide some answers for you and get you connected with the right people and resources to make sure you have an impactful and positively life-changing experience on campus.

Above all, you should get excited.
 

If you’re a little nervous, that’s okay. The Week of Welcome is full of information to help you get acquainted with campus and start building your future at UW-River Falls. You’ll get connected with a great Orientation and Transition Leader who will make sure you feel welcomed and prepared to be a student here at UWRF. They are going to lead you through a few days of activities including getting textbooks, learning from engaging speakers, and getting to know the campus and community. There will also be some awesome opportunities to get to make friends through fun events like the RHA Neon Lights Dance, a free movie, games, our campus Questival, and Live Band Karaoke. It’s an incredible opportunity to familiarize yourself with campus and what the UWRF community is like while meeting fellow new students and starting to make some connections.

The Week of Welcome is a truly special once in a lifetime experience here at UWRF, so we hope you make the most of it and take advantage of everything it has to offer. For more information on the Week of Welcome, check out our detailed schedule of events and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for program updates, information, and UWRF swag giveaways!