Bulldog Beginnings
Transitioning into university life is challenging. Bulldog Beginnings is designed to help students meet that challenge.
Bulldog Beginnings
Bulldog Beginnings is a two-part program designed to orient students to life at TLU and provide the best possible start to a successful education. Most of all, it's an opportunity to meet new people, adjust to a new environment, develop friendships, and become involved in a new community. Bulldog Beginnings: Part I will take place on June 7 and July 26 and Part II will take place during the check-in/move-in weekend in August.
Bulldog Beginnings is required for all incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Registration for Bulldog Beginnings: Part I will open on May 1, 2024.
Bulldog Beginnings: Part I
Students will attend Bulldog Beginnings: Part I in either June or July. Please note that incoming students are only required to attend one of the dates below and must register before attending.
- Friday, June 7, 2024
- Friday, July 26, 2024
Schedule of events coming soon!
Bulldog Beginnings: Part II
Students will attend Bulldog Beginnings: Part II during the check-in/move-in weekend in August. Both dates below are required for incoming students and no registration is required.
- Saturday, August 24, 2024, and Sunday, August 25, 2024
Schedule of events coming soon!
Preparing for Bulldog Beginnings: Part I
We are excited to see our future Bulldogs and want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when attending Bulldog Beginnings: Part I in June or July.
We encourage you to review the schedule and map out key people and sessions to visit to maximize your time. By doing so, you can prioritize important breakout sessions, last minute business items, and ensure that nothing crucial gets overlooked or missed.
Here are some questions to consider when preparing for Bulldog Beginnings: Part I
- What questions or concerns are on your mind?
- Do you have any questions about your class schedule?
- Should I be in this level of math?
- Who are you most excited to connect with on campus?
- Who can I reach out to with questions?
What to bring: Parents may want to bring a bag to keep any materials, something to take notes with, and a water bottle. Students, we have some fun merch to help you carry materials and write notes throughout the day. You may want to bring a water bottle with you.
What to wear: Be comfortable! Most sessions will be inside, but there will be lots of traveling around campus.
Check-In & Move-In
Beginning Wednesday, August 21, commuter and residential students can check in through MyTLU. All holds must be cleared by this time to be eligible to check-in online. Please remember you must check-in online before moving into the residence halls on Saturday, August 24.
New student check-in will begin on August 21 and close on August 23. Access to the check-in link can be found on the Student tab of the MyTLU and instructions will be sent to students via their TLU email prior to the opening of their check-in window.
Residential Students
Move-in times for residential students are based on which residence hall they will be living in. Times will be posted on the Campus Living MyTLU page. Once you arrive on campus on Saturday, August 24, we are asking everyone to enter campus at W. Kingsbury St. (Highway 90) and Fritz St. You will see Bulldog Stadium on your right and the baseball and softball fields on your left. Student Affairs staff will be at the arrival tent to provide directions on unloading and moving into the residence halls.
Click Here To View A Campus Map
Watch Our Move-In Video
2024 Summer Zoom Series
TLU’s Student Affairs team has prepared four summer webinars for incoming students and families to learn more about specific on-campus resources. There is no registration required; just join using the Zoom link provided below.
Wednesday, June 12, 12-1 PM
Resources for Parents & Families
TLU understands the important role parents and families play in student success. We want to ensure you are equipped with the resources available to continue to support your student as they transition into their first year of college. Join us to learn more about the variety of resources available for parents and family members, including TLU's web resources, events, monthly parent emails, the parent handbook, as well Bulldogs Beginnings.
Event Link
Wednesday, June 26, 12-1 PM
Resources for Parents & Families of First-Generation College Students
With more than 50% of the TLU student body composed of first-generation college students, we understand many common challenges students may face throughout their college experience. Join us to learn how parents can play a supportive role in their student's life by working with TLU staff members. The session will also highlight the resources available to our first-generation students, including the Living and Learning Community (LLC), First-Gen mixers to network with faculty, staff, and alumni, the pinning ceremony, and specific study sessions.
Wednesday, July 10, 12-1 PM
Exploring Interests & Careers
Join Dr. Pamela Ray, Director of Service Learning & Career Development, Tiffany Espinoza, Director of Student Engagement, and Payton Gentry, Career Development Program Coordinator, as they showcase opportunities for students to explore interests and how to use those experiences to inform and enhance their career choices. We will highlight online resources like Connect@TLU, Give Pulse, Big Interview, and Handshake that students can begin exploring over the summer.
Wednesday, July 31, 12-1 PM
Living On Campus & Fall Move-In
Join our Director of Campus Living, Gabriel Barrientez, for a discussion on what you need to know about living on campus and what to expect on move-in day on Saturday, August 24. Gabe will also review resident policies and take questions from attendees.
Don't Forget: Summer FREX 134 Project
All incoming freshmen are required to read #TLUBulldogs: Voices From Texas Lutheran during summer as part of their Freshmen Experience (FREX 134) course. A few weeks prior to the beginning of the semester, we ask that you think about your life experiences so far and how your own story might appear in #TLUBulldogs. Choose what you would consider a defining moment. Tell this story and then explain what you learned and/or how it made an impact on you. Choose a defining moment you can be truthful about and one that you are willing to share with others.
Look for parallels between your defining moment and the educational stories in #TLUBulldogs. In your essay, explore and explain how at least one or two of the stories in #TLUBulldogs mirror your own experiences. Resist using a typical anecdote you might write for a standardized test or college entrance essay.
Essays should be 500 or more words (12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced) and will be shared early in the semester in your Frex 134 course. This project should take you several hours of active reading, thinking, writing, and revising. Please email FREX 134 Director Mike Ruane with any questions.
Watch the FREX 134 summer project video to learn more about your summer project.