Information for First-Year Students
Welcome to St. Lawrence!
We are so excited to welcome you to the Laurentian community. We know that the journey to college can come with many questions. That's why we've gathered all the resources you'll need in one place.
Move-In Weekend & Orientation Schedule
We can't wait to finally welcome you home to St. Lawrence!
Resources for First-Year Students
Follow us on Instagram @stlawu_2027.
Listen to our podcast on Spotify.
We're counting down the days until we welcome you home to St. Lawrence! Here you'll find important dates, deadlines, and items to check off your summer "to-do" list.
Students and families are welcome to join us via Zoom on Sundays from 7-8 p.m. (EST) to meet the fabulous folks at St. Lawrence. Drop in when you can and let us answer questions and help you start to make important connections!
Learn More About Sunday Night Campfires
North Country Pre-Orientation Trips are only available for students matriculating in the fall semester.
Students approved for the pre-trips move into their rooms Wednesday, August 21. Students will receive an email from Residence Life with their arrival time. Pre-Trips 2024 start on Wednesday, August 21 at 5pm and end in the morning on Saturday, August 24.
The Outdoor Program offers a range of pre-orientation excursions on a first-come, first-serve basis. Trip fees follow a sliding scale ($50-$400) based on need as confirmed by the Financial Aid office; the trip fee covers meals, lodging, some equipment, and transportation. Find more information here on the pre-trips, along with a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Questions? Contact the Outdoor Program at 315-229-5016, the Office of Student Activities & Leadership at 315-229-5757, or the First-Year Program at 315-229-5909.
You will be able to complete the application form as soon as it is released on your Application Status Page in April.
Application/Preference Forms Due: May 30, 2024
Acceptance notifications e-mailed: Mid-June
Participation Confirmation (fee and waiver) Due: July 15, 2024
Check the links below to learn more about student life at St. Lawrence.
- First-Year Program Living - Learn about why you live with your FYP classmates.
- Residence Life
- Check out Information for New Students and the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about what's included in your room, what you should (and should not) bring, and other helpful advice.
- Meal Plan Information
- Get Involved on Campus
- Campus ID card
- Motor Vehicle and Parking Policy
- Places to Stay
- Health and Counseling Services
- Change of Address
You will find many opportunities as a First-Year student to get engaged on campus, including taking on leadership roles in the first few weeks of the semester.
First-Year Opportunities
- First-Year Cup
- One of the first traditions you’ll take part in as a new member of the Laurentian community is the FYP Cup--a chance to enter into some friendly competition against your fellow first-years over the course of your first semester on campus. There are lawn games, trivia, and the much-anticipated song-writing contest, plus ways to earn points by attending events, readings, and presentations across campus.
- Bradley R. Evers Outstanding First-Year Student Awards
- First-Year Council
- The First Year Council, in collaboration with SLU’s student government, the Thelomathesian Society, provides leadership within the First Year class. It plans social activities, programs, manages the class social media page, and raises funds for celebrations like Senior Week. Anyone can join First Year Council, and we'll have sign-ups at the club and orientation fair in the second week of the semester; elections for executive positions within the council are in November each year.
- First-Year Research Exchange
- William O'Brien First-Year Research Prizes
Residential Programs
- Your Community Assistant will design several activities in the fall semester to build community and make connections to your FYP course content.
Student Activities
- Club and Organization Fair
- Get involved and connected with the student clubs and organizations that create and host events and activities on campus at our Club and Organization Fair, offered at the end of the second week of each semester. Our 100+ student clubs and organizations are excited to welcome new students!
- Intramurals
- Varsity Sports
- Volunteer Services
- Outdoor Program
- New Clubs and Organizations
- Don't see what you're looking for? Start a new club or organization! It's not uncommon for first year students and new transfer students to start new clubs, and our Student Activities team has an easy guide to help.
A St. Lawrence education prepares students to think critically and creatively, to examine and express their ideas and values, to understand those whose beliefs and circumstances may be different from their own, and to pursue an understanding of the natural world and human experience.
To get started on the right path, connect with your academic advisor, who is also your FYP instructor.
Resources to Help Plan Your Education
Explore General Education Requirements
Browsing Guide to Fall 2024 Courses
Learn How To Create a Course Plan
Contradance (TAUNY)
Wear comfortable shoes for walking and dancing.
- Lunch Making Time: 9:45am
- Departure Time: 10:00am
- Transportation: Walking - Meet at XXX
Meditation, Sound Bath, Tarot, and/or Reiki (Grasse River Wellness)
Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- Lunch Making Time: 11:30am
- Departure Time: 12:00pm
- Transportation: Walking - Meet at XXX
Farm Tour w/Pesto or Salsa Making (Cornell Cooperative Extension)
Wear closed-toes shoes for farm walking and clothes for cooking in the kitchen.
- Lunch Making Time: 9:15am
- Departure Time: 9:45am
- Transportation: Bus #2
Screen-Printing T-Shirts (Great Northern Printing)
Wear clothes that you don't worry about getting paint on.
- Lunch Making Time: 10:00am
- Departure Time: 10:30am
- Transportation: Van #1 and Van #2
Trail Walk (Stone Valley)
Wear shoes appropriate for trail walking (and potential mud)
- Lunch Making Time: 9:15am
- Departure Time: 10:30am
- Transportation: Bus #2
Mountain Hike (Azure Mountain)
Wear shoes appropriate for hiking (and potential mud)
- Lunch Making Time: 9:45am
- Departure Time: 10:15am
- Transportation: Bus #4
Guided Nature Tour (Nicandri Nature Center)
Wear comfortable shoes for outdoors (and potential mud)
- Lunch Making Time: 9:30am
- Departure Time: 10:00am
- Transportation: Bus #1
St. Lawrence River Tour (Uncle Sam's Boat)
Bring a sweatshirt or lightweight jacket because it can be cooler on the water
- Lunch Making Time: 9:00am
- Departure Time: 9:30am
- Transportation: Bus #7
Wildlife Exhibit & Nature Walk (Wild Center)
Wear comfortable shoes for outdoors (and potential mud)
- Lunch Making Time: 8:30am
- Departure Time: 9:00am
- Transportation: Bus #3
Escape Room (All In Adventures)
- Lunch Making Time: 8:30am
- Departure Time: 9:00am
- Transportation: Bus #3
Pottery Painting (Paint It! Pottery)
Wear clothes that you don't worry about getting paint on.
- Lunch Making Time: 8:30am
- Departure Time: 9:00am
- Transportation: Bus #3
Virtual Reality Experience (Zero Latency VR)
- Lunch Making Time: 8:30am
- Departure Time: 9:00am
- Transportation: Bus #3
Ropes Course (Camp Overlook)
Wear closed toed shoes and clothes you aren't worried about getting dirty.
- Lunch Making Time: 8:15am
- Departure Time: 8:45am
- Transportation: Bus #6
Apple Picking, Corn Maze, & Apple Processing (Applewood Orchards)
Wear comfortable shoes for outdoors (and potential mud)
- Lunch Making Time: 10:15am
- Departure Time: 10:45am
- Transportation: Van #3, Van #4, and Van #5