Washington University has created a new scheduling app, called “WashUEvents,” for this year’s Bear Beginnings, a program that introduces incoming freshmen to campus life, University expectations and some of their 1,878 new classmates.

The First Year Center (FYC) hopes the app—which was created using a platform called Guidebook and has been downloaded more than 500 times—will be useful in helping incoming freshmen achieve a specific set of goals, such as understanding academic expectations, exploring resources, understanding campus locations and more.

Jordan Chow | Student Life

The WashUevents app is a great way for students to stay on top of campus events. It includes downloadable guides such as Bear Beginnings.

FYC Director Katherine Pei expects students to lead the way in making the most out of Bear Beginnings by using the app to choose their own adventure.

WashUEvents is intended to help students stay organized by adding events and times to their personal calendars.

“I think it’ll help me stay committed to doing activities on campus. I think it’ll be a lot more efficient and an easier method to use,” freshman Jonah Babitz said.

Bear Beginnings consists of a series of workshops that ease freshmen into the college transition and allow students to interact with classmates and faculty before classes begin Aug. 28.

The University created Bear Beginnings for students to have both whole class experiences and small group discussions. Students are split up in different ways—such as by Residential College, academic advisor, ethnic background and common interest—to facilitate interactions between diverse groups of people.

Pei hopes students will benefit from the opportunity to make connections during Bear Beginnings.

“We want all students to be able to connect with their peers and develop a sense of belonging, and we want them to feel connected to the physical campus. We want people to be really clear about what it’s like to be at Wash. U. and what we have to offer,” Pei said.

For many, one of the highlights of Bear Beginnings is Convocation, an all-class event featuring speakers such as Chancellor Mark Wrighton.

“If you think about Convocation, that’s one of only two times that the Class of 2021 will ever be together. At the end of Convocation, there’s a walk, [and] all the parents and family members line the walkway. It’s both a physical representation, as well as a philosophical one, about that transition moment,” Pei said.

Max Marchetto, a freshman, expressed his excitement for Convocation, which he says will be a good social experience.

“I think it’s a great chance to make friends with people who you would never really reach out to,” Marchetto said.

Each year, Pei looks forward to seeing and hearing incoming classes together at Convocation from afar.

“My personal favorite part of Bear Beginnings is once all the first-year students are seated at Convocation and it’s a sea of different colored T-shirts,” Pei said. “To see the whole class together and thousands of family members…that’s my favorite part.”