First-Year Experience
College is more than your major. It’s about becoming who you’re meant to be.
The First-Year Experience is designed to ground you in faith, connect you to a meaningful community, and support you as you step into life at George Fox University.
What Is the First-Year Experience?
The First-Year Experience is an eight-week, community experience in two distinct residential halls.
Alongside other first-year students, upper-class student leaders, as well as faculty and staff mentors, you’ll explore questions like:
- Who am I?
- What matters most to me?
- How do I want to live, lead, and follow Christ in my community?
This is your place to build a foundation and commitment to the community that prepares you for your college journey.
The Retreat
Early in the fall semester, you’ll participate in a full-day off-site retreat with the First-Year Experience community. The retreat includes time in nature, shared meals, music, games, and space for conversation and reflection.
The highlight was the retreat ... That was when we first started to get to know the other group, and it was just so much fun … We were all there for the purpose of finding community, and I think that really helps. It makes you click really fast."
Joy Clark, Nursing Student
First-Year Experience Participant
Living & Learning
The First-Year Experience is part of life in our Pennington and Edwards residence halls.
While the program takes place during the first eight weeks of the semester, it’s designed to lay the foundation for your entire year in the residence hall – and your whole journey at George Fox and beyond.
Because you live together, the community doesn’t stop when the weekly gatherings are over. The relationships, conversations and faith practices you build will be yours to carry throughout the year as neighbors and friends.
As a residence hall member, you’ll take part in:
- Ongoing conversations and shared experiences
- Faith exploration and reflection
- Opportunities to live out leadership and service in everyday life
This is about creating the kind of community where you feel known, supported and encouraged as you navigate college and life.
Find Your People. Build Your Community.
First-Year Experience provides an opportunity to dive deep with your peers across majors and different walks of life, living together as neighbors. You’ll develop friendships and share your stories in a way that builds community.
Upper-class student guides lead small-group discussions each week, serving to help encourage conversation, connection and mentorship. They’re there to listen, encourage and support. Consider them a friend!
Faculty and staff will also participate in the groups, providing you with the unique opportunity to meet professors from different areas of study and build connections with the greater campus community.
Focus on Faith
At its core, this is a faith formation journey.
Each week, you’ll gather for discussion, prayer and reflection in a small-group setting. These groups are designed to help you:
- Explore questions of faith honestly
- Grow in your relationship with others and God
- Develop spiritual practices you can carry with you beyond your first year
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10Who Is the First-Year Experience For?
The First-Year Experience is open to:
- All first-year students living in Pennington or Edwards residence halls
- Students who want to begin college with intention and who are willing to share life, conversation and reflection
The program is well-suited for students who are curious about questions of meaning, purpose and faith. Students at all stages of faith are welcome – whether you’re exploring Christianity for the first time or continuing a lifelong journey.
How Do I Sign Up?
Here is how to choose the First-Year Experience:
- Select a room in Pennington or Edwards residence hall during housing registration
- The Career and Academic Planning Center will include a placeholder for First-Year Experience on your roadmap
- Once you’re approved for housing, you’ll see the course appear in MyGeorgeFox
Yes, it’s that simple!
FAQ
Yes, the First-Year Experience is a one-credit (graded) course. Students will be registered for it during the first eight weeks of the fall semester (Block A).
Monday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. between Aug. 31 and Oct. 19. The retreat is on Saturday, Sept. 12.
There is a $150 course fee. This fee covers the full-day retreat, formation workbook and other group activities.
Yes, you’ll work through a formation workbook with your student and staff mentor.
At this time, the First-Year Experience program is only for Edwards and Pennington students. There are limited spots available for first-year commuter students. These students have been cleared to live off-campus through the housing and residence life team.
Questions? Contact Dave Johnstone at djohnsto@georgefox.edu.
Yes. Student-athletes are encouraged to participate. Due to scheduling conflicts, some fall athletes may not be eligible. We recommend checking with your coach and admissions counselor.