The Lawrentian First-Year Experience

The mission of the Lawrentian First-Year Experience is to engage students in a holistic first year experience that fosters learning, a sense of belonging, and overall development (personally, academically, and globally) while providing opportunities to connect to themselves, each other, and the Lawrence community.     

The vision of the Lawrentian First-Year Experience is to foster a sense of belonging and an environment for students to grow into while at Lawrence University through intentional, equitable programming in academics and co-curriculars. We will foster growth and development in: Curiosity, Communication, Self-empowerment, Well-Being, Resilience, and Reflection.     

  • Curiosity: Encourages a desire to learn or know something, coupled with an active pursuit of knowledge and exploration of new ideas.
  • Communication: Participate in activities that help you develop and enhance the effective exchange of information, ideas, and feelings through various mediums.
  • Self-Empowerment: Engage in activities that help you take control of your own life and make decisions that lead to personal growth and fulfillment.
  • Well-Being: Strive to engage in activities that help you build a holistic state of well-being encompassing, but not limited to: physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, financial, community, safety, relational health, meaning and purpose health.  
  • Resilience: Build the mindset and strategies to adapt, respond, and thrive in the face of adversity, setbacks, and challenges.
  • Reflection: Take time to think deeply and consider your experiences, actions, and learning to gain deeper insights and understanding.

 

    Four Core Components of the Lawrentian First-Year Experience:  

    The EPIC Mentorship Program

    This program was designed by current faculty, staff, and students around what we’ve determined they need to help with the transition to college and being successful in and out of the classroom. The curriculum for this program was collaboratively designed by professional staff members, and our peer mentors were trained to deliver the content, facilitate conversations, and support to each First-Year Studies course they are assigned to.

    The components in the naming of the EPIC Mentorship Program were carefully considered and represent a holistic student programming approach.  

    E – Explore: Demonstrates the opportunity Lawrence gives students to try new things personally, academically, socially, culturally, academically, politically, and globally.  

    P – Play: Demonstrates Lawrence’s commitment to offering students personal balance and mental health support through social, physical, spiritual, and musical outlets. 

    I – Immerse: Demonstrates Lawrence’s commitment to a true Liberal Arts curriculum and providing students opportunities beyond the classroom to deeply engage in multiple facets of personal exploration and passion. 

    C – Connect: Demonstrates Lawrence’s willingness to embrace time and programming that supports community building and networking that help them connect to themselves, each other, and the Lawrence community.  

    These EPIC Mentorship Meetings will take place OUTSIDE of a course setting will meet on select Fridays, each term, from 1pm-1:45pm. We are offering a scaffolded approach and providing more support in the fall term with 5 meetings, then 4 in winter term, and 3 in spring term.

    The FALL emphasis will be on adjustment, transition and belonging to the Lawrence community. Our content will be:

    Week 2: Belonging, academic success and schedule management.

    Week 3: Belonging, campus engagement, missing home, and living adjustment. 

    Week 5: Belonging, professionalism behaviors, and developing healthy relationships. 

    Week 7: Belonging, Wellness – stress management, sleep hygiene, creating healthy habits 

    Week 9: Belonging, how to prepare for break, communication (time with family, addressing changes, processing personal change). 

    The WINTER emphasis will be on reflective practices, becoming a learner and self-exploration.

    Week 2: Belonging, mindset shift from being a student to being a learner, schedule management, connect to campus resources. 

    Week 4: Belonging, reflective practices, and wellness awareness (mental health) 

    Week 7: Belonging, values & spiritual exploration. 

    Week 9: Belonging, campus and community engagement, connection to career center and career communities.

    The SPRING emphasis will be on self and career exploration, and campus and community engagement.  

    Week 2: Belonging, registration processes, and expectations. 

    Week 4: Belonging, professionalism & networking (LUAA Weekend) 

    Week 7: Belonging, reflecting on first year at Lawrence, creating a transition plan to second year and home for the summer.