The start of the academic year is a busy and exciting time for incoming first-year students as they become familiar with new faces, new surroundings and new resources.

As part of 1743 Welcome Days, the University of Delaware Library and the Office of Academic Enrichment (OAE) welcomed more than 150 new Blue Hens with an orientation to several academic support services on campus.

This two-part program, which featured a workshop and resource fair, provided incoming students the opportunity to learn from their peers and become familiar with campus resources. By attending this event, students were able to lessen the anxiety of using the UD Library and other academic services in the future.

During the First Day Workshop, UD senior Stephanie Palmer and UD sophomore Emily Williamson shared personal tips and strategies on how to successfully transition to college and its academic demands with members of the Class of 2021.

In the Academic JumpStart resource fair that followed, students met with representatives from 11 campus units to discover how those resources could support them over the next four years. In addition to the UD Library and OAE, students had the opportunity to learn more about resources available from units such as the Writing Center, Oral Communication Consultants, Student Support Services and the Counseling Center.

During the resource fair, students also toured Morris Library, shared what they learned from the workshop in the Student Multimedia Design Center’s photo booth and entered into a raffle for a Fitbit.

“We always enjoy this event,” said Lys Murray, assistant director at OAE. “The student leaders assisting in the First Day Workshop did a fantastic job sharing their freshman memories and kicked off a lively Q&A session — we had some great questions from the audience. The students attending were engaged and involved. They made the most of their time with us and, later, in their conversations with staff from all over campus at the information fair.”

“The transition from high school to college is challenging,” said Lauren Wallis, First Year Experience and student success librarian at UD Library. “One of my favorite aspects of the First Day Workshop is that we give students time to pause and reflect on what they need to do to make a successful transition, starting on their very first day of college!”

This was the third year UD Library and OAE have partnered on this event, which is designed to provide outreach to undergraduates and support student success. It was held in Morris Library on Aug. 28.