Your First Year
Getting Started
Once you enroll as a new Spider, you’ll start to receive a series of emails to aid your transition and prepare you for arrival! The Spider Portal and Enrolled Student Checklist will outline important deadlines, information about living on campus, exciting programs you can participate in (both prior to your arrival and throughout your first year), and details on how to register for your first semester of classes. You can expect to hear from us regularly, so be sure to check your Richmond email address often to stay on track before move-in day!
recommended units of coursework in your first semester
first-year seminar (FYS 100) in the fall semester
Getting Settled
Your first six weeks of the semester will help you adjust to residential campus life. You’ll participate in New Spider Orientation, experience campus celebrations, and start to get involved through SpiderFest (our student organization festival) and other programs designed for new students.
Getting Involved
In between classes, take advantage of opportunities to make the University of Richmond home—cheer on the Spiders on the field and court, volunteer within the Richmond community, attend an academic lecture, participate in International Week, join student government, and check out a SpiderNights event.
Looking Ahead
When you return for your second semester, start thinking ahead! It’s never too early to visit Career Services and explore undergraduate research or summer internships. This is also a great time to consider applying for leadership positions—from resident assistants and orientation advisors to cultural advisors, and more. Keep an eye on special programs that will grow your Richmond experience like Sophomore Scholars in Residence, a Chaplaincy Pilgrimage, or the Humanities Fellows program.
units of coursework in the spring semester