Students pose for a photo with Rufus the Bobcat.
Signature Year Experiences

Signature Year Experiences

As an Ohio University student, there are many ways to get involved and build the connections that will shape your OHIO experience. A big part of being a Bobcat is finding — or building — community. Some Bobcats find community in student clubs and organizations, while others find it in their residence halls or classes.

Whether you're someone who likes to jump in before you officially step on campus by participating in a First-Year trip or prefers to build connections intentionally through your Learning Community, we offer experiences that you can start at any time. And it only gets better each year!

Experiences by Year

Students stand on a football field in clusters to form the word "OHIO."

Check out some of the many experiences and opportunities available to you as an OHIO student based on your year in school. 

  • Year 1: Take in your new environment and begin building connections.
  • Year 2: Deepen your connections and involvement in your major.
  • Year 3: Sharpen your academic focus and find career paths of interest.
  • Year 4: Continue to refine your skills and connections to finish strong.

First Year

It's your time to explore and discover new opportunities.

Explore

Connect

Get Involved

Two people kayak during the Moonlight Paddle at Strouds Run
Explore Jump in to learn all that OHIO offers.
  • Start your Bobcat experience the summer before you step onto campus with a New Adventures Outdoor Orientation First-Year trip.
  • Make your transition to OHIO as seamless as possible by attending Bobcat Student Orientation.
Students laugh and talk while enjoying a dinner at a leadership banquet.
Connect Find Your Community.
  • Join in the fun of Welcome Week, held at the start of each fall semester, to meet other students, learn about campus support and resources, and prepare for a successful start!
  • Make connections in your Learning Community.
Students, faculty and staff do yoga on College Green.
Get Involved There Are Many Ways To Engage.

Second Year

You know the campus — deepen your engagement and explore opportunities within your major or select a major.

Engage

Connect

Learn & Lead

Students participate in a ropes course.
Engage There are many ways to deepen your involement on campus.
  • Sophomore September offers many opportunities for you to deepen your relationships and campus engagement.
  • Explore on-campus student employment options and work on your core competencies to be better prepared to launch into a future career.
  • Engage with Bobcat Alumni to network, explore career fields associated with your major through Bobcat Network.
A student talks to their mentor.
Connect Network and make connections to curate your Bobcat community.
  • Connect with your faculty mentor.
  • Don't wait until you are about to graduate to meet with a career coach — start now!
  • Sign up for the Meal with a Mentor program, and make meaningful connections with OHIO alumni and professionals in your desired career field or academic major.
Students work behind the scenes during a WOUB news cast.
Learn & Lead Take learning beyond the classroom and find ways to lead that are meaningful to you and your goals.
  • Take on a leadership role within a student organization associated with your major or other leadership opportunities on campus.
  • Participate in a Financial Literacy workshop to learn more about saving for off-campus housing, experiential learning opportunities and more!
  • Study abroad, learn a language, take international courses — and open the door to a world of opportunities. Learn why international education matters for every career by completing the OHIO Global for All module.

Junior Year

Lock into your major and identify potential career paths you want to pursue after graduation.

Immerse Yourself

Keep Building Your Community

Plan Ahead

Students and faculty pose for a photo in Switzerland.
Immerse Yourself Find new ways to roll up your sleeves and gain hands-on experience.
  • Gain experience with an on-campus job or find an internship that aligns with your major or career goals.
  • Engage in a study away experience! It's helpful to talk to your Success Advisor about how this experience aligns with your Graduation Plan.
  • Explore Experience OHIO and find new ways to gain real-world skills.
Students have a meal with a mentor.
Keep Building Your Community Continue fostering relationships that will propel you forward.
  • Sign up for the Meal with a Mentor program, and make meaningful connections with OHIO alumni and professionals in your desired career field or academic major.
  • Network, make connections off-campus through Bobcat Network. Engage with Bobcat Alumni to network, explore career fields associated with your major.
  • Reconnect with your faculty mentor.
Students line up to talk to an employer at a career fair.
Plan Ahead Start preparing for your future.

Senior Year

Finish strong — continue to deepen your Bobcat journey with experience that will prepare you for graduation and beyond.

Stay Engaged

Prepare for Graduation

Finish Strong

Students sit together with arms linked across their backs as they take in the view after a hike.
Stay Engaged Continue to strengthen your relationships and on-campus involvement.
  • Network, make connections off-campus through Bobcat Network. Engage with Bobcat Alumni to network, explore career fields associated with your major.  
  • Sign up for the Meal with a Mentor program, and make meaningful connections with OHIO alumni and professionals in your desired career field or academic major.
  • Create a bucket list with fun things you want to do or experience during your senior year.
Rufus the Bobcat poses for a photo during the Homecoming Parade.
Prepare for Graduation Wrap up loose ends and make sure you're ready to graduate.
  • Apply for graduation.
  • Update your professional materials, Career Services is a great resource.
  • Reconnect with your faculty mentor. This is a great time to talk to them about career advice!
The Marching 110 plays during Undergraduate Commencement.
Finish Strong Take the steps to make sure you're ready for life after OHIO.
  • Prep for interviews and attend career fairs.
  • Complete financial aid exit counseling.
  • Complete the Senior Involvement Survey, watch your email.