Current Students > Division of Student Life > First Year Experience

Orientation - your first step to success.
New students participate in a three-day orientation program held in August. The purpose of orientation is to acquaint you with the Thiel community - its people, places, traditions and expectations. Your parents are also invited; however, they will participate in a special one-day orientation program.

Orientation is designed to prepare you for success at Thiel, so it is imparative that you attend orientation events.  Throughout orientation there are also social activities to help you get to know your classmates and to relax after a full day of information.

First Year Seminar - continuing your success.
All First Year students are placed in a First Year Seminar (FYS).  Students have the opportunity to choose your seminar, on a first come basis.  Your FYS Instructor will act as your advisor when you arrive at Thiel.  They will help you through orientation and your first semester.

All First Year students are placed in learning communities.  The students in your FYS class will also be in your Western Humanities and English classes.  This helps students get to know one another quickly.  Learning communities provide Thiel students with the ability to be comfortable with classmates early in the semester, making it easier to participate in class and to find fellow students from your classes to study together.