New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is for any new undergraduate student coming to Washburn University. First-year students, starting who are coming directly from high school or took time in between high school with no college credit are required to attend one half-day orientation session. Transfer and returning students are highly encouraged to participate in a New Student Orientation, but not required.

A student with his family walk to their next session during orientation.

Orientation for first-year students

Going to college is a big step. Bring someone with you to orientation to support you along the way, whether it is a parent, family, or friend.

Register for orientation by clicking on the specific date and time below or by email at orientation@washburn.edu or by phone at 785.670.1834. Orientation is a free event with parking and refreshments provided.

Students starting in Summer or Fall 2025

Please select a morning session (8:30 am-12:30 pm) or afternoon session (12:30 pm-4:30 pm) on the date you wish to attend orientation.

Orientation for Out-of-State & Online Learners is for students who are doing their program 100% online or live out of state, unable to travel to Kansas during the summer. We'll reach out by email to schedule an enrollment appointment to sign-up for classes.

  • Open through Friday, August 15, 2025:  Online Orientation
    • Online Orientation - Live Sessions every Tuesday from 12:15-12:45 pm (July 14, 29, August 5, 12)

Washburn Tech's orientation information can be found on Tech's orientation page.
A student smiles.

Orientation for transfer students

Transferring to a new college can be intimidating but exciting. Bring someone with you to orientation to support you along the way, whether it is a parent, family, or friend.

Register for orientation by clicking on the specific date and time below or by email at orientation@washburn.edu or by phone at 785.670.1834. Orientation is a free event with parking and refreshments provided.

Students starting in Summer or Fall 2025

Please select a morning session (8:30 am-12:30 pm) or afternoon session (12:30 pm-4:30 pm) on the date you wish to attend orientation.

Orientation for Out-of-State & Online Learners is for students who are doing their program 100% online or live out of state, unable to travel to Kansas during the summer. We'll reach out by email to schedule an enrollment appointment to sign-up for classes.

  • Open through Friday, August 15, 2025: Online Orientation
    • Online Orientation - Live Sessions every Tuesday from 12:15-12:45 pm (July 14, 29, August 5, 12)

Washburn Tech's orientation information can be found on Tech's orientation page.

Meet SOCs

Meet Student Orientation Counselors (SOCs)

Explore Topeka

Topeka community page

Parent & Family Resources

Parent & Family Resources page

Steps to Enroll

Steps to Enroll page

Your student experience at Washburn

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Student Life

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Topeka Community

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WU Athletics

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WTE : Washburn Transformational Experience

Frequently asked questions

The transition to the college experience at Washburn University starts with New Student Orientation. The event is designed to prepare you with valuable information for a successful start to college at Washburn University, as a first-year or transfer student.
All new incoming students, coming directly from high school have a New Student Orientation (NS) hold placed on their account once they are admitted to Washburn. First-year students are required to participate in New Student Orientation and the hold helps us track all new students. Once a student checks in at New Student Orientation, the NS hold will end before they enroll in classes.

All students admitted to Washburn for the upcoming fall, spring or summer terms are invited to attend New Student Orientation.

All students attending Washburn directly after graduating from high school are required to attend a New Student Orientation session. Parent(s), guardian(s), family and supporters are welcome to come to orientation with you.

We strongly encourage you to attend our New Student Orientation sessions for transfer students. For spring transfers, we host orientation in the fall, and for summer or fall transfers, we host orientation in late spring and summer. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, please join us at any of the summer New Student Orientation sessions.

New Student Orientation provides you with opportunities for one-on-one interaction with current students, staff and faculty, in-person help to advise and enroll in classes, and learn about campus support and resources. We love our Washburn community and want to share information with you for an easy transition.
Yes, all students are expected to participate in the entire event in order to register for classes. All summer orientation sessions are half-day events, either from 8:30 am-12:30 pm or 12:30-4:30 pm.

No, there is no fee to attend orientation. We ask students to register at least one week in advance, to order enough food and prepare materials for each student.

You can register online, email orientation@washburn.edu or call 785.670.1834.
For our summer orientations in May, June and August, the morning session check-in begins at 8:00 am, with our welcome session starting at 8:45 am in Memorial Union. Our afternoon session check-in begins at 12:00 pm, with our welcome session starting at 1:15 pm. For the afternoon sessions, there is an Engagement Fair from 11:00 am-1:00 pm for anyone who arrives early in the afternoon.
Yes - orientation is just as important for parents, guardians and family as it is for students. Everyone in your family or support system is about to experience a transition and can learn how to support one another. The orientation day includes famiy and supporter sessions.
Yes. If you or someone participating has a dietary restriction, disability, mobility issues, or requires a non-English translator, please send us an email at orientation@washburn.edu to provide more information.

Washburn offers free parking to visitors, students, faculty and staff. Use our campus map as a guide. Visiting students and families should park in Lot 10 or 11 and enter the doors closest to Mulvane Art Museum. Look for the tall blue "WELCOME" flags. We'll start in Memorial Union, 1820 SW Jewell Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621.

Directions

  • From the north: Take U.S. Highway 75 south to the Gage Boulevard Exit/I-70 East turnoff (Exit 358), taking the Gage Boulevard exit. Turn right on Gage and proceed south to SW 17th Street. Turn left (east) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue.
  • From the south: Take U.S. Highway 75 north the 42nd Street/Burlingame Road exit. Turn left and drive to yield sign. Turn right on Burlingame Road (north) and follow Burlingame (which changes into Washburn Avenue) to SW 17th Street (approximately 20 blocks). Turn left (west) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn left (south).
  • From the southwest (I-335): Take I-335 north (Kansas Turnpike) to the South Topeka Exit (Exit 177). After leaving the toll area, continue straight. The highway will veer to the left and become I-470 west. Take the Burlingame Road exit (Exit 5). Turn right (north) and follow Burlingame (which changes into Washburn Avenue) to SW 17th Street (approximately 20 blocks). Turn left (west) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn left (south).
  • From the east: Take I-70/I-470 (Kansas Turnpike) to the South Topeka exit (Exit 177). After exiting the toll area, continue straight. The highway will veer to the left and become I-470 west. Take the Burlingame Road exit (Exit 5). Turn right (north) and follow Burlingame Road (which changes into Washburn Avenue) to SW 17th Street (approximately 20 blocks). Turn left (west) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn left (south).
  • From the west: Take I-70 to the NW MacVicar Ave. exit (Exit 359) and turn right (south). Follow NW MacVicar to SW 17th Street (approximately 2.4 miles). Turn left (east) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn right (south).
All orientation sessions are half-day programs and do not require an overnight stay. If you are traveling from farther away and need to stay overnight, we have an on-campus lodging option or a couple hotels in Topeka with Washburn discounts for visitors.
Contact us by phone 785.670.1834 or email orientation@washburn.edu. Please include the student name and the new orientation date.
Students walk among the booths at WUFest during Welcome Week.

Weeks of Welcome

Weeks of Welcome is a series of events and activities designed to welcome new and returning students to campus and help them meet new people, get involved on campus and start their college experience on the right foot. The weeks typically takes place at the beginning of the fall semester and includes social events, informational sessions, and opportunities for students to connect with campus resources and organizations. Some common events during Weeks of Welcome include WU Fest, Rock the Rec and the Convocation ceremony.

Upcoming Events

Technology Resources & Tutorials

Activate your Washburn account (Single sign-on)

To use all of Washburn's online tools and technology, you must first activate your Washburn student account. Washburn uses one login and password for our online tools and technology.

Need further support? Contact our ITS Department at 785.670.3000 or at support@washburn.edu.

Desire2Learn (D2L)

Desire2Learn or D2L is our online platform for learning and teaching. You will interact with each of your instructors for classes through D2L, for both in-person and online courses. For each class, you can find your syllabus, upload assignments, view class progress and grades, and find lectures, rubrics, discussion boards or quizzes.

Zoom Video Conferencing

MyWashburn

MyWashburn is our student portal where you can search and enroll for classes, complete a housing application, pay your student bill, review your financial aid award, apply for student jobs and search for textbooks.

Navigate

Navigate is a tool that Washburn University uses for academic planning, scheduling appointments with advisors, finding study buddies and tutoring help and enroll for classes*.

*NOTE: Enrollment for summer or fall 2021 classes should be done in MyWashburn.

Download Navigate Student app

Washburn Email

Washburn University is a Microsoft Office 365 school. Office 365 programs are free for faculty, staff, and students and can be installed on up to five devices. Washburn email accounts are used in Microsoft Outlook.

Campus Map

Campus map of Washburn University
Campus Map (PDF)

Virtual Tour

Explore campus before you move in
Virtual Tour

FYE

First Year Experience program
FYE Info

GET IN TOUCH WITH New Student Orientation

Office of New Student Orientation
Plass Learning Resources Center, Room 318
1731 SW Plass Ave
Topeka, KS 66621

Contact Us
Carissa Schmidtlein
Director of Student Orientation & Transition Programs
orientation@washburn.edu
785.670.1834
Se habla español

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