Don’t just survive, thrive! Advice for college welcome week
We asked current college students to provide some advice for college welcome week and getting outside of your comfort zone.
Fall Welcome Week
Our Fall Orientation and Welcome Week program is designed to make the start of your college experience a positive one both in and out of the classroom. New students will arrive on Monday, August 10 and participate in many activities and events to get to know the campus before classes begin on August 17. You will not want to miss what this important program has to offer so that you can be Day One Ready!
All new students are assigned to a Welcome Group for the week’s activities based upon your Becoming A Scholar class section. Transfer students not enrolled in this class will be assigned to a Welcome Group. Check with your admissions counselor.
dates for fall 2026
- New student move-in - Monday, Aug. 10
- Fall Welcome Week - Monday Aug. 10-Sunday, Aug. 16
- Fall semester classes begin - Monday, Aug. 17
2026 Fall orientation Schedule at a glance
Activities are subject to change.
|
| 7-9 a.m. | Breakfast | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Student Success Session #1 - Community Living |
Yoder Recital Hall |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 1-1:30 p.m. | Learn & Earn: Orientation to Campus Work | Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial Hall |
| 2-5 p.m. | Beavs Bus to TBA | Leave from Marbeck Center |
| 2 p.m. | Accuplacer Assessment Make-Up | Technology Center, Centennial Hall |
| 5:30-7 p.m. | Dinner | The Common, Marbeck Center |
| 8:30-10:30 p.m. | Welcome Week Activity - Splash Bash Bring your swimsuit! We’ll have the popcorn, snacks, games, and more! |
Bluffton Community Swimming Pool (205 Snider Rd, Bluffton) |
| 7-9 a.m. | Breakfast | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lunch | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Student Success Sessions #2 | See below |
| Achieving Academic Success Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial |
Supporting Your Well-Being Yoder Recital Hall |
Explore Bluffton Challenge With Welcome Group |
|
| 1:30-2:20 p.m. | Groups 1, 2, 3 | Groups 7, 8, 9 | Groups 4, 5, 6 |
| 2:30-3:20 p.m. | Groups 4, 5, 6 | Groups 1, 2, 3 | Groups 7, 8, 9 |
| 3:30-4:20 p.m. | Groups 7, 8, 9 | Groups 4, 5, 6 | Groups 1, 2, 3 |
| 5:30-7 p.m. | Dinner | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 7 p.m. | Welcome Week Activity - Tie Dye | Basset Plaza (Outside lower level of Marbeck Center) |
| 7-9 a.m. | Breakfast | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lunch | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Student Success Sessions #3 | See below |
| Bluffton Cares (Consent) Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial |
Supporting Belonging Yoder Recital Hall |
Library Resources Musselman Library |
|
| 1:30-2:20 p.m. | Groups 1, 2, 3 | Groups 7, 8, 9 | Groups 4, 5, 6 |
| 2:30-3:20 p.m. | Groups 4, 5, 6 | Groups 1, 2, 3 | Groups 7, 8, 9 |
| 3:30-4:20 p.m. | Groups 7, 8, 9 | Groups 4, 5, 6 | Groups 1, 2, 3 |
| 5:30-7 p.m. | Dinner | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 8 p.m. | Welcome Week Activity - Bowling Alley Takeover Enjoy a night of free bowling, sand volleyball, cornhole or just take it easy on the patio! | Southgate Lanes (9700 N. Dixie Highway, Bluffton) |
| 7-9 a.m. | Breakfast | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lunch | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Student Success Sessions #4 | See below |
| Course Materials: Getting Day One Ready The Commons, Marbeck Center |
Getting Week 1 Ready Welcome Group Meeting Locations |
Bluffton Olympic Team Preparation Welcome Group Meeting Locations |
|
| 1:30-2:20 p.m. | Groups 1-9 | ||
| 2:30-3:20 p.m. | Groups 1-9 | ||
| 3:30-4:20 p.m. | Groups 1-9 |
| 5:30-7 p.m. | Dinner | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 7 p.m. | Bluffton Olympics | Alumni Field, Sears Athletic Complex |
| 9:30-11 a.m. | Breakfast (Continental) | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lunch | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Student Success Sessions #5 | See below |
| How to Moodle & More! Stutzman Lecture Hall |
Assessing Your Bluffton Experience The Commons, Marbeck Center |
Afternoon Break | |
| 1:30-2:20 p.m. | Groups 1-9 | ||
| 2:30-3:20 p.m. | Groups 1-9 | ||
| 3:30-4:20 p.m. | Groups 1-9 |
| 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Dinner | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 7-9 p.m. | Welcome Week Activity - Sommer Nights Challenge yourself on the rock-climbing wall, race your friends on the obstacle course, play some games, or join us in our quiet room for crafts and therapy dogs! |
Sommer Center |
| 11 a.m. | Sunday Morning Worship | Yoder Recital Hall |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch | The Commons, Marbeck Center |
| 5:30-7 p.m. | Picnic | Outside Lower Level of Marbeck Center |
| 7 p.m. | Welcome Group Final Session | Welcome Group Meeting locations |
| 8 a.m. | Classes begin! | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Residence Hall Floor Meetings | Residence Hall Lobbies |
| 10:30 p.m. | All Hall Meeting | Residence Hall Lobbies |
| 10:45 a.m- 12 p.m. | Opening Convocation | Copeland Court, Sommer Center |
60 in 6
More than 60 events are planned for the first six weeks of fall semester. There is something offered every day. Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved on campus! Meet new friends, develop relationships, learn new things and cultivate a sense of belonging in your new community!