How to thrive at Gettysburg

Create. Define. Experience. Get ready to make your experience at Gettysburg College your own.

Welcome to the beginning of your first year at Gettysburg! The transition to college can be exciting, overwhelming, empowering, and everything in between.

From learning how to navigate campus to finding your group of friends and getting involved, there is no shortage of opportunities. Ignite your curiosity in and out of the classroom, explore new interests to discover your potential, and dedicate time to newfound passions that make a difference.

Determine your path to success by finding a niche unique to you. You won’t want to miss a beat. There’s no time like the present to immerse yourself in the energy of Gettysburg College. No two students are alike. Be you. Be a Gettysburgian. 

Students wallking through the square of Gettysburg in the First Year Walk

The First-Year Experience at Gettysburg

We hope this timeline can provide a guide for what your first year on campus will look like and how you can learn about our community and connect to resources.

Below you will find key components of your first-year experience. While no student will have the same experience as another, these are common experiences that can bond you as a class.

New Student Orientation

When: August 23-26, 2023

First-Year Seminars

When: Fall semester

First year students reading a comic book in a First Year Seminar
Student and teacher in a lab in front of a computer

Academic planning

Grow and connect through your academic studies. Through our curriculum, including our distinctive programs, you will develop into a lifelong learner.
Two students in a dorm room

Living on campus

Residence hall living is a vital component of the Gettysburg experience, allowing you to learn about yourself and others on campus.
Student climbing a rock climbing wall

Building community

Experiencing our traditions and getting involved in our numerous extracurricular activities, you will grow into a leader here.