Our programming emphasizes social opportunities, diversity and difference, mind, body & balance, academic resources, and community engagement. Programming includes a dinner and discussion series, off-campus outings, financial literacy workshops and more. All of our events are free and open to all students.

First-year students earn FYE points throughout the year by attending and signing in at FYE core programs and eligible events. Prizes include gift cards to the bookstore, Cafe Opus, Euphoria Smoothies, movie passes and a few big surprises to be announced.

Hamilton offers a range of courses dedicated to first-year students to help them transition to college-level work.

Orientation in August consists of two parts: adventure trips and on-campus orientation programming. Adventure trips include Adirondack Adventure, Outreach Adventure and Exploration Adventure. We have more than 65 trip options each year; from beekeeping to building homes in Utica to kayaking Lake Champlain.