Design Your Liberal Arts Education
Whether your plans involve the arts, sciences, humanities, and/or social sciences, you get to choose what you study to earn your degree at Evergreen.
You may choose programs as you go, or have specific goals you need to plan for carefully. Your plan may evolve as you explore unexpected connections between subjects. Along with your faculty and advising staff, this page will help you think about what choices will best deepen your passions, broaden your perspectives, and support your educational and career goals.
Greener Foundations
Built into every program serving first-year students, Greener Foundations is a holistic student success program that will help you thrive at Evergreen. You will develop the college skills you need, including learning about Evergreen and its history, drawing up your academic plans, getting to know faculty and advisors, familiarizing yourself with essential resources on campus, and more.
New Student Orientation
All new students will attend either a virtual new student orientation or the in-person new student orientation. We'll introduce you to our unique approach to education and connect you to staff, faculty and campus resources. New Student Orientation is for any first-year, transfer, and first time students at Evergreen.
Get Your Geoducks in a Row
Tips for New Students
What to Expect
Your First Quarter
New Student Orientation
Check your email
Check your Evergreen student and personal email in late August for your Fall Orientation Invitation. New Student Orientation will take place in the days leading up to the start of the Fall quarter.
Week 1
Classes start
This is when your classes begin! Get familiar with your program and settle into a routine that works for you.
Week 2
Campus events
Start getting connected to campus! Check out the Campus Calendar and see what events and activities are happening.
Week 3
Wellness and advising
What is going well, and what challenges are you facing so far? Reflect on your quarter early and often and reach out to your faculty, Student Wellness Services, or Academic and Career Advising with any questions or concerns.
Week 4
Educational resources
Don’t panic if you’re feeling overwhelmed! This is a new experience, and everyone faces challenges when adjusting to college life. Some good resources to help keep you on track are your faculty and the QuaSR and Writing Center to get support with math, science, and writing assignments. Both are located in the Daniel J. Evans Library which is a great place to study, borrow books (including textbooks!), and get research support.
Week 5
Mid-quarter conference
This is the week most faculty will arrange a mid-quarter conference to talk about how you’re doing in your program and if you’re at risk of not earning full credit. Take some time before your meeting to reflect on your coursework, if the program is supporting your academic goals, and what you’ve accomplished so far.
Week 6
Student employment
Feeling secure in your schedule and looking for more? Stop by the Student Employment Office to learn about student jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities on and off campus.
Week 7
Reflect and plan
Reflect on your experience in your program and start thinking about how you want your next quarter to look. Has this program been a good fit for you? Does your current Path match your overall academic goals? What changes do you need to make?
Week 8
Browse the academic catalog
What new programs or courses interest you for Winter Quarter? Is there a new Path you want to try out? Take this time to think about what you want your learning to look like now that you’ve experienced your first quarter at Evergreen.
Week 9
Evaluations and the academic fair
This is the week most often dedicated to finishing any work you have due and completing a draft of your Narative Evaluations. Attend the Academic Fair to talk with faculty and refine your top choices for Winter programs and courses.
Week 10
Finals and next quarter registration
This week is when finals are due (papers, projects, assignments, etc.). You should also have a revised version of your Self Evaluation to turn in to your faculty before your evaluation conference.
Important: Week 10 is when registration for the next quarter opens, so be sure to sign up for your next program!
Evaluation Week
Discuss your program experience
This is usually when your evaluation conference with your faculty will be. Your conference is a chance for you and your faculty to walk through their evaluation of you and discuss your experience in their program.
Changing Classes
If you leave your first class meeting with a sinking feeling that it isn’t what you thought it would be, talk with your faculty immediately about whether the material or activities are appropriate for your goals and skills. You can get a lot out of any program if you dedicate yourself to learning. Focus on what you can make of your current situation.
To change your class, connect with Academic and Career Advising. They have extended hours for drop-ins during Week 1 so you don’t need an appointment.
- Week 1: You may be able to shift into a different program during the first few days
- Week 2: it’s unlikely that you will be able to move to a different program
Academic Credit
The credit you earn indicates how much of your work was at a satisfactory level. If you completed all the requirements as stated in the syllabus and assignment guidelines, and you have demonstrated knowledge and/or skills at the appropriate level, you should earn full credit. The narrative evaluation should reflect the quality of the work completed.
If you have not demonstrated sufficient knowledge in a subject area, or haven't completed enough work to demonstrate your learning, you will not earn full credit (but you may earn partial credit for those sections of programs that you successfully completed).
If you disagree with your credit award, first speak to your faculty to understand their decision. If after speaking with your faculty, you think an error has been made in your credit award or evaluation, speak with an Academic Dean.
Earning Full Credit
Past-Due Assignments
Please talk with your faculty about the possibility of turning in past-due (late) assignments, which may be possible in some courses or programs. If this is possible, work with your faculty and advisor to help you set a schedule that ensures you have time to keep up with new work while also making progress on old work.
Educational Support
If you’re struggling with the material, meet with your faculty often to make sure you understand what’s expected of you. Go to the QuaSR and or Writing Center to get support with math, science, or writing assignments. You can go to the Writing Center just to brainstorm!
Attendance and Accommodations
If attendance is a problem, talk with your advisor about how to manage conflicts that might be interfering with you getting to class. If you need an accommodation, speak with Access Services.
Exceptional Life Circumstances
If exceptional life circumstances have kept you from completing some assignments, but your faculty says the work you’ve done has been of good quality, talk with your faculty and your advisor about whether an incomplete or full credit at a later date would make sense.