First Year Experience

The First Year Experience Program at UW-Parkside creates a welcoming community for your transition to college by providing initiatives and programs related to personal and academic growth, creating meaningful connections with others, building campus traditions, and navigating campus resources.

Your transition begins!

Click a card to flip a card!

New Student Orientation & Placement Testing
Your Ranger Experience starts here! Your New Student Orientation (NSO) experience will provide you with opportunities to build community, help you learn about being a student at Parkside, and guide you through the course registration process. All incoming first-year students are required to complete a placement test in Math and English prior to attending their NSO session.

To get ready for new student orientation, check out our Getting Ready website.

Orientation Placement

Kick Start
Kick start your college career by participating in an early arrival program designed for new first-year students! Kick Start is a five-day program that takes place the week before fall classes begin that helps build confidence and ease any uncertainty around starting college. You also build connections with other students, meet key staff, and learn the proven secrets to success! The program is FREE for all first-year students and all participants receive a $200 book voucher.

Get more information and register.

Kick Start webpage

Connect and discover!

Click 'em to flip 'em!

First-year students who want to put their leadership potential into action are encouraged to attend the Ignite Leadership Retreat. Ignite will give you the chance to explore the social change model of leadership and discover how to put your talents and strengths to work during your time at Parkside. The reteat will be held from March 10 - 12, 2023 off site. Free transportation and accommodations provided.

Thrive!

Click 'n' flip!