First-Year Engagement Program

The First-Year Engagement Program begins with your SOAR experience and continues throughout your entire first year. The program activities are designed to help you engage with University of Lynchburg and prepare you for success academically, professionally, and socially.

Where?

Many activities take place in the first-year residential community (Montgomery and Tate Halls) and are open to all first-year students regardless of residential status.

Events are posted in a weekly newsletter, the Toilet Paper, and on the LC Events app, which can be downloaded from your app store. Here are a few examples:

First 30 Days – There’s an activity every day for the first 30 days of the semester, helping you get involved with campus and the greater community.
FYrEside Chats – Faculty members present on a topic of interest, outside their academic disciplines, in the residence hall lounge. Enjoy hot chocolate and snacks and get to know your professors.
Reverse Trick-or-Treat/Valentine’s Day – Faculty and staff go door-to-door with buckets of candy in the first-year residences around Halloween and Valentine’s Day to say hello and check in to see how your semester is going.

First-Year Engagement Plan

A 12-month plan for first-year students.

June - Discover

Prepare for and attend SOAR
Complete Housing Preference Form
Discuss first-year goals and expectations with family and friends

July - Prepare

Complete the Common Reading
Connect with your roommate, if you’ll be living on campus
Complete the Student Employment Application by July 15, if you’re interested in an on-campus job
Think about what you’ll find most exciting at Lynchburg, and what may challenge you, so you can prepare for both.

August - Launch

Check in and let us know you’re ready to begin your first year!
Enjoy Hornet Days and your first college classes
Prepare a roommate contract with your RA, if you’re living on campus
Ensure tuition plans are finalized by the August 1 deadline
Consider ways to develop good relationships with classmates, roommates, professors, and academic advisors

September - Explore

Discuss the College Student Inventory with your advisor
Participate in FYE activities!
Attend the Organization Fair
Enjoy Parents and Family Weekend
Develop your personal schedule that puts academics first, but also allows time for activities, leisure, and self-care.

October - Participate

Continue to actively participate in classes, FYE events, and homecoming activities
Meet with your advisor to discuss mid-term grades, your spring schedule, and career plans
Review mid-term grades
Enjoy Fall Break!
Utilize campus resources to end the semester with the academic and personal progress you can be proud of

November - Focus

Finalize your spring semester course schedule with your advisor
Develop a plan to study for final exams
Thanksgiving Break!
Consider the progress you’re making towards choosing or confirming your major and career path

December - Reflect

Ensure all academic related information is correct on StudentsOnline
Declare a major and/or minor, if you are ready
Enjoy the semester break!
Complete the Student Employment Application by December 15, if you’re interested in an on-campus job and you did not have one in the fall
Consider applying for a campus leadership position
Review final grades
Discuss your first-year goals and expectations with family and friends

January/February - Reconnect/Commit

Confirm/adjust spring schedule after meeting with your advisor
Reconnect with your advisor, roommate, and friends on campus
Utilize learning-support services like PASS and the Writing Center
Get involved in academic, fine arts, service, social, and/or spiritual clubs, organizations, and activities, including Fraternity and Sorority Life
Choose housing options for your second year
Share your Lynchburg New Year’s resolutions

March - Conclude

Run a Graduation Progress Report (GPR) and use it to plan next year’s course schedule
Meet with your advisor to finalize plans for your second year — talk about any changes in your major or minor, and review your mid-term grades
Finalize your second year housing, if you’re living on campus
Complete course request
Review your personal schedule for changes to finish your first year strong!

April/May - Plan/Celebrate

Plan your summer – school, employment, study abroad, and/or internships
Get permission for courses taken away from Lynchburg this summer
Fine tune your second year schedule
Prepare for final exams
Attend Finals Blow Out
Move out of your residence hall, if you’ve been living on campus
Review final grades
Send thank you notes to those who helped you during your first year!
Begin following the Second-Year Engagement Plan