Mercer University will welcome the Class of 2028 to the Macon campus during two move-in days Aug. 16-17. Then, first-year students will get to know their new home during a special program just for them Aug. 18-19. Here are four things to know about this special time we call Opening Days and Bear Beginnings.
1. We’ll help you move in.
Every year, dozens of Mercerians volunteer to help our new students move in. That means parents can pop the trunk and let our volunteers unload students’ belongings and carry them to their rooms. To help this process run smoothly, we ask that all boxes and items are labeled boldly using a permanent marker with the student’s last name, building and room number. Students and their families are then invited to head over to College Street Plaza to take family photos, get an Opening Days picture frame and enjoy a cool treat. At 5 p.m. Aug. 17, new Bears and their families are invited to our first-year student and family kick-off in Hawkins Arena to learn more about what is to come during Bear Beginnings.
[Related: Class of 2024 graduates offer this advice to incoming freshmen]
2. Now’s a great time to ask questions.
Before arriving on campus, each student is assigned to a peer advisor and Orientation Group, or O-Group, which consists of 15-20 first-year students. Peer advisors are volunteer student leaders who help our new students transition to college life. They know what these students are going through because they’ve done it before, so this is a prime time to ask questions. Students will attend a variety of sessions with their O-Group, and while there will be a lot of time for bonding, they’ll also learn about important topics, such as the honor code, health and safety, and technology. Before arriving on campus, peer advisors will add students to their O-Group on GroupMe, so students should go ahead and download the mobile app.
[Related: Mercer visitors can get discounted hotel rates through University partnership]
3. We’ve made time for you to handle last-minute tasks.
We want to make sure our new students are ready to start classes on Aug. 20, so we’ve built time into the Opening Days and Bear Beginnings schedules for them to handle any last-minute tasks. This includes talking to an academic advisor, finding buildings on campus, picking up a parking decal or talking to someone in financial aid. Many of our offices will be fully operational during this time. If students are unsure how to do something, they can always ask their peer advisor.
4. Students who actively participate in our events benefit the most.
We have so many fun activities planned during Bear Beginnings that are aimed at making sure our students’ introduction to Mercer is memorable. We find that those who actively participate get the most out of the experience. New students can participate in an opening picnic, campfire party, convocation and Bear Fair, where they can learn about all the activities they can get involved in on campus.
Welcome to Mercer! This is just the beginning.
