Orientation Programs

Orientation is an essential part of the new student experience at Smith College. The program provides students with information and resources critical to their overall success in college. The week before the start of classes, all new first-year, transfer, visiting/exchange students, and Ada Comstock Scholars gather to learn about the college and get to know each other. All new students should participate fully in the entire Orientation program.

Details about Fall 2026 Orientation are forthcoming—check back for more information!

What to Expect

The Orientation program empowers new students to develop a resilient mindset by teaching them to identify and utilize resources that will improve their college experience. Students become active members of their Orientation teams where they learn to both contribute freely and celebrate the contributions of others. Finally, Orientation provides opportunities for students to find joy, explore their interests, and begin fulfilling and positive relationships in the Smith community.

Students will be introduced to their faculty liberal arts advisers (LAAs) to create a plan for their academic career. They will also have several occasions to meet faculty from all departments in order to learn more about the myriad programs of study available to them.

To help students become respectful and responsible members of the Smith community, Orientation includes discussions about:

  • living in a diverse community
  • supporting health and wellness
  • academic integrity and values
  • student rights and responsibilities

Of course, Orientation also facilitates recreation and social connection. Students can expect plenty of events, both scheduled and impromptu, that allow them to make friends, craft, celebrate, be silly, and settle in at Smith.

January 2026 Orientation Schedule

Sunday, January 25 is a free day, with classes beginning on Monday, January 26.

Administrative Offices Are Open

9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
If you need to “take care of business,” please refer to the Interactive Campus Map for office locations. Note: the OneCard Office will be open from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1–4:30 p.m.

Central Check-In and Move In

Campus Center First Floor, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Pick up all essential materials including your room key and OneCard. You must check in even if your room does not require a physical key.

Welcome Reception

Art Museum Atrium, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
An opportunity for students and their families to meet staff from various offices as well as administrators and students. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

This concludes the programming for parents and families.

Transfer Students Have Dinner with Orientation Leaders

Cutter House Special Dining Room, 5 p.m.
Join the Orientation Leaders (OLs) for dinner. OLs will walk you from the Welcome Reception to a reserved area in the Cutter House dining hall.

Ada Dinner with Ada Cabinet Members

Ziskind House Special Dining Room, 5 p.m.
Your Ada Coordinator will meet you and walk with you to the Ziskind House dining room to enjoy dinner together.

Breakfast

Open Dining Rooms, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Please refer to the Dining Services Special Events page for a full list of open dining halls and hours. You will need your OneCard to access the dining rooms.

Administrative Offices Are Open

9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
If you need to “take care of business,” please refer to the Interactive Campus Map for office locations. Note: the OneCard Office will be open from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1–4:30 p.m.

Academic Life at Smith

Seelye Hall 101, 9–9:45 a.m.
Dean of the Sophomore Class Andrea Rossi-Reder will discuss Smith’s academic expectations and procedures. Karen Sise, in the Office of the Registrar, will help explain transfer credit policies. Bring a laptop to use for registration, which will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Moodle, Workday, & Information Technology Services (ITS) for Students

Seelye Hall 101, 9:45–10:30 a.m.
Join the ITS team to get familiar with the systems and resources you’ll use for classes, learning, and more. They will make sure you are ready to register for classes.

Course Registration

Seelye Hall, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Course registration opens for spring semester courses on Workday. If you have questions or need assistance with registration please contact the registrar’s office at registrar@smith.edu.

Lunch

Open Dining Rooms, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Please refer to the Dining Services Special Events page for a full list of open dining halls and hours. You will need your OneCard to access the dining rooms.

Ada Lunch

Ziskind House Special Dining Room, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m
Join current and other incoming Ada Comstock Scholars for lunch. This will be a great time to get to know your cohort, more about the Ada program and to ask questions about registration.

Smith College Libraries Exploration

Neilson Library 303, 1 p.m.
With over 1.5 million items, the Smith College Libraries system is one of the largest liberal arts college collections in the nation. Library staff will introduce you to the amazing array of services and resources we provide to support your studies.

Being Part of the Smith Community

Seelye Hall, 2 p.m.
Dean of the Sophomore Class and Ada Comstock Scholars Andrea Rossi-Reder, and ej seibert, Director of Care and Community Standards, will meet with you for a discussion of Smith’s statement of academic integrity and the college’s community standards and how they shape your rights and responsibilities as a Smith student.

Campus Tour

Kathleen McCartney Hall Workshop, Room 106, 3 p.m. 
Meet at the new KMH building to warm up with hot drinks. Then, take a tour of campus with your OLs to figure out where your classes are located and learn about campus resources.

Lazarus Center Introduction

Kathleen McCartney Hall Workshop, Room 106, 4–4:30 p.m.
Join Patty Woods, Assistant Director for Career Exploration at The Lazarus Center for Career Development, to learn about how the Lazarus Center supports students and recent graduates as they connect their liberal arts study to their career goals.

Dinner

Open Dining Rooms, 5 p.m.
Please refer to the Dining Services Special Events page for a full list of open dining halls and hours. You will need your OneCard to access the dining rooms.

Ada Comstock Scholars Game Night

Ada Comstock Lounge, 6–8 p.m.
Join your fellow Adas for a fun night of games! This will be a great opportunity to learn more about Smith as well as bond with the other Adas. Comfy clothes are encouraged! Pizza provided!

Transfer Student Game Night

Bodman Lounge, Helen Hills Hills Chapel, 6–8 p.m.
Join the orientation leaders and your fellow transfer students for a fun night of games and Just Dance. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about Smith as well as bond with the other transfer students. Comfy clothes are encouraged! Pizza provided!

Continental Breakfast

Open Dining Rooms, 7:30–9:30 a.m.
Please refer to the Dining Services Special Events page for a full list of open dining halls and hours. You will need your OneCard to access the dining rooms.

Yoga

Davis Ballroom, 10–11 a.m.
Get introduced to the practice of yoga. You’ll learn simple physical postures and sequences to help keep your body relaxed and strong, as well as breathing techniques to relieve stress and improve concentration. Yoga mats are available for participants in limited quantities.

Brunch

Open Dining Rooms, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Please refer to the Dining Services Special Events page for a full list of open dining halls and hours. You will need your OneCard to access the dining rooms.

Ada Bowling Party

Meet in front of John M. Greene Hall at 12:30 p.m.
Bowling until 4:30 p.m.
Join current Adas for a trip to Round 1 Bowling and Arcade in the Holyoke Mall. Car pooling available.

Tour of the Valley

Meet at Sage Hall Traffic Circle at 1 p.m.
Tour until 4:30 p.m.
Join your OLs for a tour of the valley to include a trip to Hampshire Mall and the Five Colleges.

Dinner

Open Dining Rooms, 5 p.m.
Please refer to the Dining Services Special Events page for a full list of open dining halls and hours. You will need your OneCard to access the dining rooms.

Bingo Night

Campus Center Carroll Room, 6:30–8 p.m.
Come on by to make friends and maybe even win a prize!

Two students holding signs that say "Welcome to Smith College" and "We can help!" on move-in day

Photo by Jim Gipe/Pivot Media

Preparing for Orientation

Packing List

For general guidance on packing for college life, consult the Office of Residence Life’s “For New Students” section of their FAQ. 

Fall Orientation

Temperatures in late August in Western Massachusetts can reach as high as 90°F/32°C and as low as 55°F/13°C, but generally remain around 80°F/ 26°C. August can also see some of the highest rainfall of the year. Please consider this when packing for arrival.

Spring Orientation

Students arriving in January for the spring semester should expect Western Mass's coldest temperatures of the year, with average highs of 34°F/1°C and lows of 18°F/-7°C. Students should be prepared for snowy and icy conditions and should be aware that the sun sets before 5 p.m., meaning afternoons and evenings will be dark.

Fall Orientation

For the Fall Orientation experience, all new students are encouraged to pack at least the following: 

  • Warm weather clothes that allow for movement (walking, running)
  • Comfortable shoes 
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • A reusable water bottle
  • Rain gear (waterproof boots/shoes, rain jacket and/or umbrella)
  • Light layers for evenings/nights (sweater, flannel, etc.)

For Outdoor Adventure (OA) participants, please consult the materials that OA program directors send directly to participants for a detailed packing list.

Spring Orientation

For the Spring Orientation experience (January arrival), all new students are encouraged to pack at least the following:

  • A well-insulated winter coat
  • Warm clothing and thick socks
  • Winter boots
  • Gloves, hats, and scarves
  • Reflective clothing/accessories for use at night

Communications

Communication about Orientation and the First Year Experience will be sent directly to students via their Smith College email address. Students must check this inbox regularly for important information about campus and academic life. When communicating with a Smith College office as an enrolled student, students should use their Smith email address in order to properly identify themselves and avoid their message being marked as spam.

A group of students pick out their first-year plants in the greenhouse.

Pre-Orientation Programs

Pre-orientation programs are available to students starting in the fall. If you’re an international student, a first-generation student, a pre-season athlete, or a student committed to maintaining culturally inclusive communities, you could sign up for one of our pre-orientation programs.

Learn about these helpful programs and how to register.

View the Programs

Additional Information

Smith Reads

What To Expect

All new students participate in Smith Reads by reading the same assigned text before arriving on campus. This allows students to participate in their first shared academic dialogue at Smith, which happens in the form of informal chats with peers, facilitated small group discussions, and a large-scale speaking engagement with the Smith Reads author.

This Year’s Smith Reads

The fall 2026 Smith Reads selection will be announced in the spring. Stay tuned!

Family Orientation

Orientation isn’t just for new students! On move-in day, parents and families are encouraged to explore the campus and meet some of the staff and faculty who will help to shape their student’s college experience. Families spend the morning with their students as they check in, move into their rooms, eat lunch, and hear the first presidential address of the year. In the afternoon, while students are getting filled in on the essentials of campus and academic life, families can partake in walking tours or one of several sessions tailored to their curiosity or concerns. A full list of events and descriptions will be added closer to Orientation.

Contact the Orientation Team

Clark Hall 101
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063