Picking a college is a big decision, and we are thrilled you chose to be a Bronco! Your first year at WMU will be filled with amazing opportunities and new experiences that can be both exciting and overwhelming. Western offers a number of resources to help as you begin your journey and navigate this big life transition.
First-Year Faces
![A student smiling in front of a colorful mural wall.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/hero_12_5/public/images/u3800/2021/First-Year%20Faces.jpg?h=dd87d10f&itok=k1SVwtVz)
Academic planning
Now that you’ve arrived, your most important next step is to register and enroll in courses at WMU. After you submit your pre-advising survey, meet with your advisor to complete your course registration. Each semester your advisor will work with you to review your progress and select courses for the semester ahead.
Advising
Consider the First-Year Experience seminar—An intensive, highly interactive course that empowers students making the transition from high school to college.
Review your requirements for WMU Essential Studies—Twelve courses designed to let you make more connections among courses and benefit from multilayered content.
Meet your Peer2Peer eMentor—Every first-year and new transfer student is assigned an established WMU student as an eMentor to aid in your transition.
Staying on track
Review dates and deadlines—Bookmark the academic calendar so you will always be on top of the most important dates for each semester, including dates for registration, refunds, withdrawals, finals and grading.
Plan your path to graduation with Degree Works—From keeping up with your degree requirements to checking your grades, Degree Works has the tools you need to track your success.
Attend office hours—Your professors set aside time specifically for you! Take advantage of this one-on-one time to review and discuss all of your questions and any concerns.
More resources
Career development
It is never too early to start thinking about your future. Career and Student Employment Services offers a number of resources to help you start thinking about life after Western.
First-year career checklist
Activate your Handshake account and poke around.
Take the Focus2 Assessment to find out what you want in a career and then investigate your options on O’Net.
Start to shape your resume.
Talk to faculty about possible research opportunities.
Attend a networking session.
![A student wearing a backpack in front of the Chemistry Building.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/images/u4981/2021/MBZ09732%20%281%29_0.jpeg)
Broncos who thrive
Health and wellness
Your checklist to stay healthy
Make an appointment to get a flu shot.
Assess your personal well-being with the WellTrack Boost app and make an account on Uwill for personalized 24/7 teletherapy.
Connect with people and find your community.
Take a health or group fitness class.
Buster’s Bucket List
Just for fun
Attend Bronco Bash and other fun campus events.
Explore Kalamazoo.
Eat a Sweetwater’s donut.
Hit the horseshoe at the top of the Student Recreation Center climbing wall for good luck.
Look at the view from the top of Sprau Tower.
Plan for the future
Stay on track with a few key steps this year: